France Flashcards
Factors encouraging the Renaissance in France?
-Printing (reproduction and distribution of classical texts - e.g. printing of Plato, Aristotle and Cicero - allowed French scholars to directly engage with classical thought).
-Italian Renaissance
-Urban centres and trade: fertile ground for exchange of idea and the flourishing of Renaissance culture - cities like Paris, Lyon and Tours - hubs of intellectual activity.
-Patronage (led by the royal household who attracted artists and scholars).
-French Invasion - Italian Renaissance style begun to replace Medieval Gothic style.
Political stability:
-Relatively stable during reign of Francis I - end of 100 years war - consolidation of power - greater focus on arts literature and learning.
Role of Italian Renaissance in the development of the French Renaissance?
Italian styles copied by French artists:
-Fouquet - visited Rome 1443, gained reputation of being the first Renaissance artist beyond the Alps.
Late 15th and early 16th century:
-influence most evident in architecture: use of Milanese ornamentation.
Examples of Renaissance architecture in France:
-Chateaux de Chambord - 1519-47 (Domenico da Cortana - architect of it - came to France with Charles VIII - continued to serve Francis I).
-Chateaux de Blois - Francis added the Renaissance wing in 1515-18.
The Impact of da Vinci in France?
Limited impact - only in France last 3 years of life - 1516-19.
Italian techniques to France:
-sfumato (subtle gradations of light and shadow)
-chiaroscuro (the use of light and dark contrasts).
Pieces:
-Mona Lisa - acquired by Francis I - added to the royal collection at Fountainebleau.
-he brought three of his own paintings with him:
-“Virgin and Child with Saint Anne”
-“Saint John the Baptist”
-“Mona Lisa”
Royal Patronage:
-Francis I - great admirer - invited him to live and work Château du Clos Lucé.
-da Vinci’s presence at French court - contributed to the cultural prestige of France.
-Deeply respected by Francis I - who called him ‘My father’.
Architecture:
-studied the plans for an ideal castle - particularly for a double revolution staircase - partly inspired architecture for Château de Chambord.
Renaissance monarchy in France under Louis XII:
Expansionist policies
-Pursued expansionist foreign policy, reclaim territories lost by predecessor Charles VIII.
-Notable campaign – Italian wars – louis sought to asset French dominance on Italy.
- Louis XII’s invasion of Italy in 1499 – conquest of Milan – among other territories.
-Formed alliances with various city states – e.g. Venice (Treaty of Blois 1499 - secret military alliance) – further his ambitions in the region.
Renaissance monarchy in France under Louis XII:
Centralization of Power
-centralize power, reducing influence of feudal lords - strengthening royal authority.
-administrative reforms aimed oat consolidating power.
-Formed French legal system – Parliament of Paris, increase royal control of the judiciary.
-Established position of Royal intendants to oversee local administration and ensure loyalty to the crown.
Renaissance monarchy in France under Louis XII:
Social and economic policies
-Reforms to improve welfare and economy
-measure to alleviate burdens of taxation on the peasantry.
-“paulette” tax, officials allowed to pass offices to their heirs for free.
-Louis sponsored projects to reclaim land for agricultural use and enhance irrigation systems.
-Infrastructure projects – such as roads, bridges and canals.
Renaissance monarchy in France under Louis XII:
Religious policies
-Navigated religious tensions of his time, balancing power of the Catholic church:
-Relatively peaceful relationship with Catholic Church – sometime caused tensions - clashed Pope Julius II - issue of ecclesiastical appointments in France - asserting the king’s right to nominate bishops and abbots.
-Challenges from religious movements – spread of protestant ideas via writings, such as pamphlets.
Impact of war on Frances economy?
By 1515 (when Francis I ascended the throne) - debt was 4 million Livres.
-Debt acquired from Italian Wars/Hapsburg-Valois wars .
1547 - the cost of fielding an army was well beyond what the French crown could afford.
1559 - Royal debt reached 12 millions (same years the treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis was signed)
Treaty ending Italian wars?
Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis 1559
-End Italian Wars.
-Signed by Phillip II of Spain and henry II of Valois.
-confirmed Spanish dominance of Italy.
Renaissance monarchy in France under Francis I:
Military Ambitions and Foreign Policy
-Engaged in Italian wars for expansion of territory in Italy
-Battle of Marignano 1515 – significant victory over Swiss and Italian forces – consolidating French control over Milan.
Renaissance monarchy in France under Francis I:
Cultural Exchange and Diplomacy
-fostered cultural exchange and diplomatic relations through patronage of the Arts and efforts to form alliances.
-Engaged in cultural exchange with Spain, Italy and Britain.
-Diplomatic efforts strengthened Frances’s position in Europea and led to the dissemination of Renaissance ideas through Europe.
Renaissance monarchy in France under Francis I:
Rivalry with Charles V
-Hostilities begin 1521
-conflict in the North and Pyrenees
-Internal issues plague France – unpaid soldiers, disintegrating armies, and a lack of effective leadership.
-Battle of Pavia – 1525 – wounded and taken prisoner.
Renaissance monarchy in France under Francis I:
Centralization of Power and Administrative Reforms
-implemented administrative reforms that – aimed at strengthening royal authority,
-expanded role of royal officials known as intendants - oversee provincial administration and enforce royal policies.
-re-organised French legal system - establishing the Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts in 1539 – standardised legal procedures, promoted use of French language on official documents, further centralizing the monarchy’s control.
Renaissance monarchy in France under Francis I:
Religious Policies and Conflicts
-Religious tensions due of the rise of Protestantism in Europe.
-Initially adopted tolerant stance to protestants.
-However, after the affair of Placards, anti-Catholic posters appeared in public places in Paris and in four major provincial cities, in the night of the 17 to 18 October 1534.
-As a result he issued Edict of Fontainebleau in 1540 - turned Francis I’s policy from one of tolerance to persecution of Protestantism.
How did the French crown try to compensate for their debt?
-taxation doubled, the quadrupled.
-The crown auctioned to the best offer
-Many administrative positions were created - already done by Louis XI and Charles VIII - sold position in finance.
-Louis XII extended the sale to judicial positions too.
-Francis I auctioned positions to the best offer - furthered under Henry II.
-Because Francis’s system was open to abuses, Francis set up a commission to investigate notables who enriched themselves.
-Interest bond over Paris and municipality.
-Taking loans from bankers.
What was the relationship between royal and local authorities?
Frequent tensions between them.
Local authorities:
-Wanted to maintain as much independence as possible, particularly over taxation and negotiation of taxes.
-Their power diminished progressively - particularly under Francis I.
Royal/central authorities:
-Summoned the local estates regularly to ask for money.
-refusal to comply could lead to imprisonment and punishment - like the closure of local parliaments.
The Renaissance monarchy in France under Henry II:
Military Campaigns and Foreign Policy
-active in foreign policy, engaging in military campaigns
-Continued involvement in the Italian wars, striving to assert French control over territories in Italy.
-One famous examples: Recapture of the city of Calais from England in 1558 - end of English territorial holdings in mainland France.
The Renaissance monarchy in France under Henry II:
Religious Policies and Conflicts
Tensions – between Catholics and Protestants.
-Sought to suppress Protestantism.
- 1559, he issued the Edict of Châteaubriant - reaffirmed Catholicism as the state religion – imposed penalties on Protestant dissenters – efforts to uphold tradition Religious Orthodoxy.
