Let's be honest, a history book titled 'Volume 4' covering 59 specific years might seem intimidating. But Jules Michelet, a 19th-century historian with the soul of a poet, makes it feel urgent and alive.

The Story

This book picks up after the turbulent reign of Philip the Fair. France is entering a shaky new era. First, we get the 'Babylonian Captivity' of the Church, where the Popes live in Avignon, France, for nearly 70 years. Michelet shows how this wasn't just a religious move; it was a huge power play by the French monarchy, muddying the lines between church and state. Then, the real storm hits: the start of the Hundred Years' War. We see King Philip VI, a ruler who often seems out of his depth, facing off against the formidable English king, Edward III. The narrative builds through political maneuvering and the crushing French defeat at the Battle of Crécy. It's not just a war story; it's about a kingdom's confidence shattering and the slow, painful birth of a new kind of French consciousness.

Why You Should Read It

You should read this because Michelet is a guide who feels everything. He's not a neutral observer. He gets angry at the corruption in Avignon. He makes you feel the dread and confusion of the French knights at Crécy. His history is driven by people and their passions, flaws, and big ideas. He's asking huge questions: What makes a nation? How do institutions fail? His writing has a pulse. You're not just learning what happened; you're feeling the emotional weight of those events. It's history as a grand, tragic, and deeply human drama.

Final Verdict

This is perfect for someone who loves narrative history with a strong voice. If you enjoy authors like Barbara Tuchman or Dan Jones, you'll appreciate Michelet's approach, even though he wrote centuries earlier. It's also great for readers interested in the messy origins of modern Europe. A word of caution: it's a 19th-century text, so some perspectives are dated. But that's part of the fascination—you're getting a brilliant, opinionated take on the 14th century, filtered through the mind of a 19th-century revolutionary. Don't read it for dry facts; read it for a passionate argument about France's soul.