ABSTRACT
The period when England and the Angevins' continental possessions began to split apart, abetted by a newly strengthened Capetian monarchy, can be viewed as starting with Philip Augustus's accession in 1180. Philip Augustus left Palestine prematurely, at the end of July 1191 following the fall of Acre to the crusaders. Major changes were under way within the French royal domain that strengthened Philip Augustus, enabling him to engage in a long series of struggles that slowly wore down his Plantagenet rivals, culminating in John's defeats in 1204 and 1214. Basic changes in the structure of French royal government made during the 1190s, years of Philip's rule coinciding with Richard Lionheart's, 'constituted a great divide between the government bequeathed by the early Capetians and that crafted for the future by Philip Augustus'. Louis VII and Philip Augustus worked to promote a reputation for Christian morality and good lordship that contrasted with the Angevins' alleged despotism.
