u/PhilipVItheFortunate

Been interested in doing a ranking series for a while like many other subs did, so thought we could try to rank Frankish/French monarchs from worst to best daily. Comment which monarchs should be disqualified from this ranking due to lack of information, lacking any time to make significant decisions, etc.

Rules:

1. Comment the monarch that you want to see removed, preferably with some justification for your choice (convinces more people to support your nomination)
2. If someone else has already commented the monarch you want, upvote, downvote and reply accordingly, you can also write a comment explaining why someone should stay longer
3. The most upvoted monarch by this time tomorrow will be removed based on highest voted comment
4. Try to avoid spreading complete misinformation or changing nominations after your comment has gotten traction

For the sake of simplicity and the general lack of resources, only Merovingians who ruled as the sole King of the Franks will be included. Middle and East Carolingian rulers that did not rule West Francia are not included. Only monarchs with a clear, undisputed claim and rule are included.

 

I feel like overall it's gotta be the Napoleons, though it's kind of a lame answer as there were only two that actually ruled. I feel otherwise it's the Philips or the Henries, just because they didn't have as many bad monarchs. There were many French kings named Charles and Louis, but overall a very mixed bag of highs and lows imo

Edit: Philip and Louis probably, there weren't as many bad Louis's as I thought

I guess either Francis I because he was very athletic and loved to hunt, or Henri IV as he seemed quite resourceful and survived dangerous events like the St.Bartholomew's Day massacre

Using the same monarch for multiple categories is allowed. Non biological relatives like step parents can be included. For those with multiple people that they have those relationships with, like children for example, it is ok can focus on only one child if that relationship in particular was the worst.

Philip II and Ingeborg of Denmark was chosen for the worst relationship between monarch and his wife

Charles VII and his son Louis XI chosen for the worst relationship between monarch and his child(ren)

Chlothar I and his granddaughters was chosen for the worst relationship between monarch and his grandchildren

Louis XIII and Marie de' Medici was chosen for worst relationship between monarch and his mother

Charles VII and Charles VI was chosen for worst relationship between monarch and his father

Henry III and his siblings was chosen for worst relationship between monarch and his sibling(s)

Francis I and Charles III de Bourbon was chosen for worst relationship between monarch and his best friend

Louis XVI and Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orléans was chosen for worst relationship between monarch and his extended relative

He was born as the son of Louis the Pious and his second wife, Judith of Bavaria, which changed the inheritances of his three adult half-brothers. This caused further rebellions, and after Louis died, war broke out between his sons. The war ended with the Treaty of Verdun, in which Charles received the West Frankish territory of the empire. During his reign, he fought against relatives and Vikings, and passed some defensive reforms. Charles went to Italy and became Carolingian Emperor after the death of Emperor Louis II.

Using the same monarch for multiple categories is allowed. Non biological relatives like step parents can be included. For those with multiple people that they have those relationships with, like children for example, it is ok can focus on only one child if that relationship in particular was the worst.

Philip II and Ingeborg of Denmark was chosen for the worst relationship between monarch and his wife

Charles VII and his son Louis XI chosen for the worst relationship between monarch and his child(ren)

Chlothar I and his granddaughters was chosen for the worst relationship between monarch and his grandchildren

Louis XIII and Marie de' Medici was chosen for worst relationship between monarch and his mother

Charles VII and Charles VI was chosen for worst relationship between monarch and his father

Philippe of Valois was already serving as regent, as the previous king Charles IV died with a posthumous child. When the child was born as a girl named Blanche, Philip was proclaimed king. His ascension to the throne was widely accepted when he became king, though other claimaints would arise later.

Using the same monarch for multiple categories is allowed. Non biological relatives like step parents can be included.

For those with multiple people that they have those relationships with, like children for example, it is ok can focus on only one child if that relationship in particular was the best.

Philip IV and Joan I of Navarre have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his wife

Charles X and his children have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his children

Louis XIV and his grandchildren have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his grandchildren

Louis IX and Blanche of Castile have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his mother

Charlemagne and Pepin the Short have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his father

Francis I and Marguerite de Navarre have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his sibling

Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu have been chosen for best relationship between monarch and his best friend

Napoleon I and his stepson Eugène de Beauharnais have been chosen for best relationship between monarch and his external relative

Using the same monarch for multiple categories is allowed. Non biological relatives like step parents can be included.

For those with multiple people that they have those relationships with, like children for example, it is ok can focus on only one child if that relationship in particular was the best.

Philip IV and Joan I of Navarre have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his wife

Charles X and his children have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his children

Louis XIV and his grandchildren have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his grandchildren

Louis IX and Blanche of Castile have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his mother

Charlemagne and Pepin the Short have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his father

Francis I and Marguerite de Navarre have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his sibling

Using the same monarch for multiple categories is allowed. Non biological relatives like step parents can be included.

For those with multiple people that they have those relationships with, like children for example, it is ok can focus on only one child if that relationship in particular was the best.

Philip IV and Joan I of Navarre have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his wife

Charles X and his children have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his children

Louis XIV and his grandchildren have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his grandchildren

Using the same monarch for multiple categories is allowed. Non biological relatives like step parents can be included.

For those with multiple people that they have relationships with, like children for example, it is ok can focus on only one child if that relationship in particular was the best.

Philip IV and Joan I of Navarre have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his wife

Charles X and his children have been chosen for the best relationship between monarch and his children