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The Regnum Francie of Suger of Saint-Denis: An Expansive Ile-de-France

The Regnum Francie of Suger of Saint-Denis: An Expansive Ile-de-France

By Jeremy duQuesnay Adams

Historical Reflections / Réflexions Historiques, Vol.19:2 (1993)

Summary: This article examines how Suger of Saint-Denis understood France and the French kingdom during the reigns of Louis VI and Louis VII. Through an analysis of his use of terms such as regnum, Francia, Franci and patria, it traces a gradual expansion in his conception of the realm beyond the royal domain. It argues that Suger’s writings reflect the emergence of a broader sense of the French kingdom and its political identity during the twelfth century.



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Our thanks to the editors of Historical Reflections for their permission to republish this article. Top Image: Suger de Saint-Denis statue at Saint Omer – photo by FrDr / Wikimedia Commons