<previous Philip IV the Fair of France, reigned between 1268 and 1314 over France. His reign was the most Christian kingdom of the era as Philip was inspired by his grand-father Louis IX who was later cannonized as a saint.

Philip lacked his grand-father genuine piety. He was only tormented by salvation and stood in awe of the Church's power and authority. He attacked the pope Boniface VIII who interfered with his taxation of the French Church. His first victim was Boniface VIII, then his successor and finally the Knights Templars who had been the realm's main financial agents. After bringing the papacy to Avignon he sought a war with Edward I of England.

Philip's military enterprises were expensive as were other ventures including the construction of an imposing royal palace on the Ile de la Cite in Paris (today La Conciergerie) and the expulsion of the Jews which caused an economic crisis.
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