Home Region:  Western Europe (Europe)

Proto-French Kingdom

987 CE 1150 CE
EQ 2020  fr_capetian_k_1 / FrCaptE
Preceding Entity: Add one more here.
840 CE 987 CE Carolingian Empire II (fr_carolingian_emp_2)    [continuity]

Succeeding Entity: Add one more here.
1150 CE 1328 CE French Kingdom - Late Capetian (fr_capetian_k_2)    [continuity]

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  General Description  
The Capetian period in France began with the accession of Hugh Capet to the Frankish throne in 987 CE. In the early period (987-1150 CE), the area under the control of the Capetian monarchs was relatively restricted in comparison to the late period (1150-1328 CE), which saw a massive expansion in territory and increasing urbanization. [1]
Population and political organization
The Capetian monarchs ruled their kingdom via decree. Louis VI (r. 1108-1137 CE) was recognized as the legitimate ruler by his vassals and, after the early 12th century, the great lords of France generally submitted to Capetian authority. [2] However, the dynasty had less power outside the region of Paris and the Counts of Bois and Troyes were arguably more powerful than the king in some respects. The Capetians drew their legitimacy from their stronger links to the Catholic church. [2]
Before Philip II (r. 1180-1223 CE), government was very simple and closely linked to the king’s court, which was still itinerant, moving wherever the king went. [3] At the core of the French king’s government were a few major officials with household titles (chancellor, seneschal, butler, chamberlain and constable). [4] From the 12th century onwards, these positions were the preserve of the aristocracy. [4] [5] The clergy of the Church provided a pool of ’educated, literature and numerate subjects’ and were a vital resource for the government and administration of the Capetian Kingdom. [6]
Innovations in agriculture resulted in population increases during this period, especially in northern and western France, but demographic expansion would not begin in earnest until the later Capetian era. [7] From the 11th to the 14th century CE, the French population almost quadrupled from about 4 to 15 million. [7]

[1]: (Turchin and Nefedov 2009, 111) Turchin, Peter, and Sergey Nefedov. 2009. Secular Cycles. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/7MDE5MUH.

[2]: (Bouchard 1995, 313-17) Bouchard, Constance B. 1995. “Capetian Dynasty.” In Medieval France: An Encyclopedia, edited by William W. Kibler, Grover A. Zinn, Lawrence Earp, and John Bell Henneman, Jr., 312-17. New York: Garland Publishing. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/2SNRCJVG.

[3]: (Clark and Henneman 1995, 1317) Clark, William W., and John Bell Henneman, Jr. 1995. “Paris.” In Medieval France: An Encyclopedia, edited by William W. Kibler, Grover A. Zinn, Lawrence Earp, and John Bell Henneman, Jr., 1314-30. New York: Garland Publishing. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/HS8644XK.

[4]: (Bradbury 2013, 249) Bradbury, Jim. 2013. Philip Augustus: King of France 1180-1223. London: Routledge. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/XSFRWX7E.

[5]: (Pegues 1995, 1333) Pegues, Franklin J. 1995. “Parlement de Paris.” In Medieval France: An Encyclopedia, edited by William W. Kibler, Grover A. Zinn, Lawrence Earp, and John Bell Henneman, Jr., 1332-33. New York: Garland Publishing. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/HHFUSQER.

[6]: (Bradbury 2013, 248-49) Bradbury, Jim. 2013. Philip Augustus: King of France 1180-1223. London: Routledge. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/XSFRWX7E.

[7]: (Percy, Jr. 1995, 1416) Percy, Jr., William A. 1995. “Population and Demography.” In Medieval France: An Encyclopedia, edited by William W. Kibler, Grover A. Zinn, Lawrence Earp, and John Bell Henneman, Jr., 1415-17. New York: Garland Publishing. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/QI73FMSM.

Economy Variables (Luxury Goods) Coding in Progress.
Religion Variables Coding in Progress.

NGA Settlements:

Year Range Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1) was in:
 (987 CE 1149 CE) Paris Basin
Home NGA: Paris Basin

General Variables
Identity and Location Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Utm Zone 31 U 987 CE  1150 CE
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Original Name Proto-French Kingdom 987 CE  1150 CE
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Capital 987 CE  1150 CE
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Alternative Name Capetian dynasty 987 CE  1150 CE
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Alternative Name House of Capet 987 CE  1150 CE
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Temporal Bounds Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Peak Years
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Duration [987 CE ➜ 1150 CE]
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Political and Cultural Relations Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Suprapolity Relations 987 CE 1137 CE
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Suprapolity Relations none 987 CE  1150 CE
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Supracultural Entity Latin Christendom 987 CE  1150 CE
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Succeeding Entity French Kingdom - Late Capetian 987 CE  1150 CE
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Scale of Supracultural Interaction 987 CE  1150 CE
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Relationship to Preceding Entity continuity 987 CE  1150 CE
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Preceding Entity
840 CE 987 CE
Carolingian Empire II (fr_carolingian_emp_2)   [continuity] 
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Succeeding Entity
1150 CE 1328 CE
French Kingdom - Late Capetian (fr_capetian_k_2)   [continuity] 
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Degree of Centralization 987 CE  1150 CE
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Degree of Centralization 987 CE  1150 CE
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Language Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Linguistic Family Indo-European 987 CE  1150 CE
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Language 987 CE  1150 CE
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Language 987 CE  1150 CE
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Language 987 CE  1150 CE
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Religion Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
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Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Population of the Largest Settlement 987 CE  1150 CE
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Polity Territory 987 CE  1150 CE
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Polity Population 987 CE  1150 CE
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Hierarchical Complexity Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Settlement Hierarchy 987 CE  1150 CE
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Religious Level 987 CE  1150 CE
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Military Level 987 CE 1090 CE
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Military Level 1091 CE 1150 CE
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Administrative Level 987 CE  1150 CE
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Professions Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Soldier 987 CE  1150 CE
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Professional Priesthood 987 CE  1150 CE
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Professional Military Officer 987 CE  1150 CE
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Bureaucracy Characteristics Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Government Building Unknown Suspected 987 CE  1150 CE
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Merit Promotion 987 CE  1150 CE
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Full Time Bureaucrat 987 CE  1150 CE
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Examination System Unknown Suspected 987 CE  1150 CE
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Law Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Lawyer 987 CE  1150 CE
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Judge Absent Inferred 987 CE  1150 CE
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987 CE  1150 CE
Court Absent Inferred 987 CE  1150 CE
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Specialized Buildings: polity owned Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Market 987 CE  1150 CE
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Irrigation System 987 CE  1150 CE
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Food Storage Site Unknown Suspected 987 CE  1150 CE
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Drinking Water Supply System 987 CE  1150 CE
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Transport Infrastructure Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Road 987 CE  1150 CE
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Port 987 CE  1150 CE
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Canal Unknown Suspected 987 CE  1150 CE
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Bridge 987 CE  1150 CE
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Special-purpose Sites Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Mines or Quarry 987 CE  1150 CE
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Information / Writing System Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Written Record 987 CE  1150 CE
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Script 987 CE  1150 CE
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Phonetic Alphabetic Writing 987 CE  1150 CE
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Non Phonetic Writing 987 CE  1150 CE
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Information / Kinds of Written Documents Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Sacred Text 987 CE  1150 CE
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Religious Literature Unknown Suspected 987 CE  1150 CE
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Practical Literature 987 CE  1150 CE
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Philosophy 987 CE  1150 CE
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History 987 CE  1150 CE
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Fiction 987 CE  1150 CE
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Information / Money Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Paper Currency Unknown Suspected 987 CE  1150 CE
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Indigenous Coin 987 CE  1150 CE
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Foreign Coin 987 CE  1150 CE
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Information / Postal System Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Postal Station 987 CE  1150 CE
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General Postal Service 987 CE  1150 CE
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Courier 987 CE  1150 CE
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Information / Measurement System Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Wooden Palisade 987 CE  1150 CE
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Stone Walls Non Mortared Unknown Suspected 987 CE  1150 CE
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Stone Walls Mortared 987 CE  1150 CE
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Settlements in a Defensive Position 987 CE  1150 CE
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Modern Fortification Absent 987 CE  1150 CE
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Moat 987 CE  1150 CE
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Fortified Camp Unknown Suspected 987 CE  1150 CE
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Earth Rampart 987 CE  1150 CE
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Ditch 987 CE  1150 CE
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Complex Fortification 987 CE  1150 CE
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Long Wall absent 987 CE  1150 CE
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Military use of Metals Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Steel 987 CE  1150 CE
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Iron 987 CE  1150 CE
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Copper 987 CE  1150 CE
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Bronze 987 CE  1150 CE
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Projectiles Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Tension Siege Engine 987 CE  1150 CE
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Sling Siege Engine 987 CE  1150 CE
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Sling 987 CE  1150 CE
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Self Bow 987 CE  1150 CE
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Javelin 987 CE  1150 CE
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Handheld Firearm 987 CE  1150 CE
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Gunpowder Siege Artillery Absent 987 CE  1150 CE
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Crossbow 987 CE  1150 CE
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Composite Bow 987 CE  1150 CE
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Atlatl 987 CE  1150 CE
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Handheld weapons Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
War Club 987 CE 1049 CE
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War Club 1050 CE 1150 CE
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Sword 987 CE  1150 CE
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Spear 987 CE  1150 CE
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Polearm 987 CE  1150 CE
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Dagger 987 CE  1150 CE
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Battle Axe 987 CE 1049 CE
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Battle Axe 1050 CE 1150 CE
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Animals used in warfare Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Horse 987 CE  1150 CE
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Elephant Absent 987 CE  1150 CE
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Donkey Unknown Suspected 987 CE  1150 CE
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Dog Unknown Suspected 987 CE  1150 CE
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Camel Absent 987 CE  1150 CE
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Armor Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Wood Bark Etc 987 CE  1150 CE
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Shield 987 CE  1150 CE
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Scaled Armor 987 CE  1150 CE
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Plate Armor 987 CE  1150 CE
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Limb Protection 987 CE  1150 CE
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Leather Cloth 987 CE  1150 CE
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Laminar Armor 987 CE  1150 CE
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Helmet 987 CE  1150 CE
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Chainmail 987 CE  1150 CE
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Breastplate 987 CE  1150 CE
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Naval technology Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Military Vessel 987 CE  1150 CE
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Small Vessels Canoes Etc 987 CE  1150 CE
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Merchant Ships Pressed Into Service 987 CE  1150 CE
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Economy Variables (Luxury Goods)
Religion Variables
Moralizing Supernatural Punishment and Reward Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Moralizing Enforcement is Broad 987 CE  1150 CE
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Moralizing Supernatural Concern is Primary 987 CE  1150 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Agentic 987 CE  1150 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement in This Life 987 CE  1150 CE
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Moralizing Supernatural Punishment And Reward 987 CE  1150 CE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Commoners 987 CE  1150 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Targeted 987 CE  1150 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement in Afterlife 987 CE  1150 CE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Elites 987 CE  1150 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement of Rulers 987 CE  1150 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Certain 987 CE  1150 CE
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Human Sacrifice Proto-French Kingdom (fr_capetian_k_1)
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Instability Data
Power Transitions