Royal house descended from Robert de Clermont, sixth son of Louis IX. Its fortunes were eclipsed following the treachery of Charles de Bourbon under François Ier, but restored when Henri IV succeeded Henri III, the last of the Valois. Henri IV restabilized the monarchy, which had been weakened by the Wars of Religion. There were subsequent crises during the minority of his son, Louis XIII, and his grandson, Louis XIV [see Fronde]. The experience of civil war and the absence of any other viable political structures led, however, to the increasing absolutism of the Bourbons. The monarchy proved unable to cope with the financial and political crisis of the late 18th c. and was toppled during the Revolution. The dynasty returned to power briefly after the fall of Napoleon [see Restoration] and continued to command support after its final downfall in 1830 [see Berry].
— James Supple
