5. Philip II Augustus 1165 to 1233

 Hence Philip’s life spanned that of Henry II, Richard I and John.

 Richard I as a boy fought with Philip against his father Henry. Henry won these battles.

 Richard and Philip went on the 3rd Crusade together.

 Philip soundly beat English King John (even though he was supported by Otto 4th of Germany) in battles for French territory to the extent that Philip produced modern-day France and John and his Barons had to resign themselves to ruling only England and some of Ireland.

 Philip was requested by the Pope to help in the Crusade to rid southern France of the Christian fundamentalists the Cathars. He refused but the Cathars were exterminated other than those very few who had travelled to England

 Philip improved the prosperity and the human rights of the average man in France through economic reform and checking the power of the nobles.

 Philip died in 1233, John in 1216