From the Middle Ages onward, French rulers believed their kingdoms had natural borders: the Pyrenees, the Alps and the Rhine. This was … See more

During the Middle Ages in France, Medieval Latin was the primary medium of scholarly exchange as well as the liturgical language of the Catholic Church; it was also the language of … See more

Carolingian legacy
During the later years of the elderly Charlemagne's rule, the Vikings made advances along the northern and western perimeters of his kingdom. After Charlemagne's death in 814 his heirs were incapable of … See more

The period after the death of Charlemagne was marked by an economic crisis caused by political instability; town life all but disappeared. However, this had changed by the 11th century. … See more

At the end of the Middle Ages, France was the most populous region in Europe—having overtaken Spain and Italy by 1340. In the 14th century, before the arrival of the Black … See more

Peasants
In the Middle Ages in France, the vast majority of the population—between 80 and 90 percent—were peasants.
Traditional … See more

• List of Ancien Régime dioceses of France
Jewish-Christian Relations in France
In the Middle Ages, France was primarily made up of a Christian population that maintained a positive relationship with the Jewish minority. In a … See more