Suger’s Life of Louis VI (the Fat)

Louis VI (Louis the Fat), 1081–1137, king of France (1108–37). He succeeded his father, Philip I, with whom he was associated in government from c. 1100.  He continued his father's policy of opposing the English in Normandy and was almost continuously at war with King Henry I (1109–13, 1116–20, 1123–35); he often met with defeat, but his resistance checked a greater English advance. In 1124 he called up forces from far-flung regions of France; with strong support from the nobles he resisted the invasion of Holy Roman Emperor Henry V, who had come to the aid of Henry I.  Suger, 1081–1151, French cleric and statesman, abbot of Saint-Denis from 1122, minister of kings Louis VI and Louis VII, wrote this account of Louis VI.  

Some selections from Historia Ludovici VII are presented here:

For the full text of this work, see the Internet Medieval Sourcebook at this page, or

Suger, Abbot of Saint Denis,. The Deeds of Louis the Fat. Translated with introduction and notes by Richard Cusimano and John Moorhead. Washington, DC : Catholic University of America Press,1992.

Chapter XI:  Concerning the capture of castle of Gournay 

Chapter XIX: How he captured Hugh and ruined the castle of Le Puiset  

Chapter XXI: Of the attack on Toury and the restoration of Le Puiset

Chapter XXVI: Of the resumption of war with Henry of England 

Chapter XXX: How he avenged the murder of Charles, count of Flanders 

All of these translations are © Jean Dunbabin, St. Anne's College, Oxford OX2 6HS, England, from whom all necessary permissions to reproduce must be sought.  Use here with permission.