Page:The history of medieval Europe.djvu/541

 THE GROWTH OF ROYAL POWER IN FRANCE 491 up by the conquering Capetians, except Flanders which survives in the Belgium of to-day. There were reasons for the growth of the Capetian mon- archs at the expense of the feudal lords. First, the kings had the advantage of a superior title ; they were Reasons for the successors of Charlemagne, and were over- of e r J£°i Wth lords where the others were merely lords. Sec- power ond, their unbroken succession in the direct male line, with few minorities and regencies from 987 to 1328, enabled them to outlive most of the feudal dynasties, to regain much feudal territory either by escheat or by intermarriage and inheritance, or at least to see the power of their rivals weak- ened by long regencies of widows or by struggles over the succession to those fiefs. Third, the evolution of an efficient and centralized administration in place of the clumsy gov- ernmental machinery of the feudal court. Fourth, the able personalities and energetic reigns of several kings after Louis VI in contrast to the feeble Capetians who preceded him. Fifth, the many opportunities, of which the kings were usually quick to take advantage, for alliances with the pope, clergy, communes, or sub-vassals against the great feudal lords — or with the nobility of one part of France against those of another as in the Albigensian Crusade. The King of France was called "the first son of the Church" and in attacking its enemies usually gained something for himself. Already in the twelfth century the kings began to take the advice of councilors of their own choice in place of the vassals who owed them feudal court attendance, Elaboration and to fill their offices with men of more educa- tra^govem- tion like the clergy, or of especial legal training ment like the students of Roman law at Bologna, or of better business ability like the townsmen. These made more cap- 1 table and more faithful officials than the feudal warriors and I were able to give all their time to the royal service, if the king could find the money for their salaries. With the addi- tion of this trained administrative class came also a greater specialization in government. The old feudal and ceremonial household offices gradually disappeared and the much more-