Philip III of France

Philip III, also known as Philip the Bold, was the King of France from 1270 until his death in 1285. He was born in Poissy as the second son of King Louis IX of France and Margaret of Provence. Not originally expected to ascend to the throne, his prospects changed after the death of his elder brother. Under the guidance of his mother Margaret and mentor Pierre de la Broce, he was released from a vow of tutelage by Pope Urban IV and prepared for future kingship. His marriage to Isabella of Aragon in 1262 was a political alliance that followed the Treaty of Corbeil.

Philip’s reign saw the annexation of the County of Toulouse to the royal domain and the expansion of French influence into the Kingdom of Navarre through the Treaty of Orléans. He led the Aragonese Crusade but was forced to retreat due to an outbreak of sickness within his army. His rule continued domestic policies of his father and maintained the ordinances against seigneurial warfare and the treatment of Jews in France. He died from dysentery at the age of 40 while retreating from the crusade and was succeeded by his son, Philip IV.