Philip II of France

Reign: 1180 – 1223
Life: 1165–1223

He was known as Philip Augustus. The only son of King Louis VII and his third wife, Adela of Champagne, he was originally nicknamed 'God-given' (Dieudonné) because he was a first son and born late in his father's life. Philip was given the epithet "Augustus" by the chronicler Rigord for having extended the crown lands of France so remarkably. After decades of conflicts with the House of Plantagenet, Philip succeeded in putting an end to the Angevin Empire by defeating a coalition of his rivals at the Battle of Bouvines in 1214.

During Philip II of France's reign, Alfonso VIII of Castile ruled Spain, Sancho I of Portugal ruled Portugal, and John, King of England ruled England.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Philip Augustus: King of France, 1180–1223 by Jim Bradbury

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Philip Augustus: King of France, 1180–1223

Jim Bradbury

The life of the Capetian king who outmanoeuvred John and Richard and doubled the French crown lands.

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