ABSTRACT
Professor John W. Baldwin, whose work on Philip Augustus is the most important by any modern historian, has called the reign ‘a quantum leap in the development of the Capetian monarchy’. This chapter focuses on Philip’s personal part in government, on the changes introduced during his rule, and the effects which these changes had on the French monarchy. Philip went to war as any leader of his period would, but he was more prepared than most to seek and make peace. He preferred his close counsellors to be lesser men who accepted their subordinate role without question. In the demesne, Philip’s predecessors had won the battle for control, but Philip improved the royal position, especially through the use of baillis. From the ancient demesne, and from ancient rights, he brought in more money than his predecessors. He proved to be not only an excellent diplomatic peace-maker, but also a very successful peace-keeper.
