Youth
A member of the House of Capet, Philip was born at the Palace of Fontainebleau at Seine-et-Marne to King Louis IX's eldest son Prince Philip the Bold and Princess Isabella. Two years later, he became heir apparent when his grandfather died and his father ascended to the throne as King Philip III. The prince was nicknamed the Fair (le Bel) because of his handsome appearance, but his inflexible personality gained him other epithets, from friend and foe alike. His fierce opponent Bernard Saisset, bishop of Pamiers, said of him, "He is neither man nor beast. He is a statue."
His education was guided by Guillaume d'Ercuis, the almoner of his father.
As prince, just before his father's death, he negotiated the safe passage of the royal family out of Aragon after the unsuccessful Aragonese Crusade.
Read more about this topic: Philip IV Of France
Famous quotes containing the word youth:
“Whenever a youth is ascertained to possess talents meriting an education which his parents cannot afford, he should be carried forward at the public expense.”
—James Madison (1751–1836)