Philip II (1165-1223)

King of France from 1180. As part of his efforts to establish a strong monarchy and evict the English from their French possessions, he waged war in turn against the English kings Henry II, Richard (I) the Lionheart (with whom he also went on the Third Crusade), and John (1167-1216).

Philip played a part in organizing the Fourth Crusade, and setting up the Albigensian Crusades. He built many castles, a significant number with the new-style round towers.

Against Richard he suffered setbacks at Fréteval in 1194 and at Vernon, but against John he captured Château Gaillard in 1203-04 and destroyed the Angevin Empire. He defeated John's allies led by Emperor Otto IV at Bouvines in 1214.