Tough Facts About Philip IV, The Iron King
Philip IV, otherwise known as Philip the Fair, was born sometime between April and June 1268 to Isabella of Aragon and King Philip III of France.
He went on to rule as the King of France from 1285 until his death in 1314, as well as ruling Navarre jointly with his wife Joan I.
He was one of the most significant rulers of the Medieval era, and his reign is widely remembered for the dissolution of the Knights Templar, and his subsequent strengthening of the monarchy. Here are 45 facts about Philip IV, the fair king.
1. In Appearance Only
Philip IV did not earn his nickname because he was a fair king. The nickname arose because of his good looks—but he was actually pretty inflexible, earning him other names.
One of his adversaries, Bernard Saissett, the Bishop of Palmers once said: “He is neither man nor beast. He is a statue."
2.Tragic Death
Isabella of Aragon was six-months pregnant with her fifth child when she went with her husband on the Eighth Crusade. Tragically, on January 11, 1271, she fell from her horse on the way back, giving birth prematurely to a stillborn son.
17 days later, she died as a result of her injuries, leaving the not quite three-year-old Philip and his brothers without a mother.
3. First of the Accursed Kings
From 1955 to 1977, the French historical novelist Maurice Druon published a series of seven novels about the French monarchy called The Accursed Kings. The first book in the series follows the reign of King Philip IV, and is titled The Iron King. The series is also credited with being the original Game of Thrones, and George R.R. Martin has admitted that these books, along with the Wars of the Roses, were his inspiration for the books.
4. A Saintly Role Model
After Isabella’s death, Philip’s father immersed himself in campaigning and administrative interests, seeing little of Philip or his brothers.
Not finding much of a role model in his father, Philip started hero-worshiping his deceased grandfather Louis IX, buying into the stories of his saintly virtues and his high standards of rule.
