Editing Louis VI of France (section)

==Struggles with the robber barons==
From early in his reign (and during his father's reign) Louis faced the problem of the [[Robber baron (feudalism)|robber baron]]s who resisted the King's authority and engaged in brigandry, making the area around Paris unsafe.{{sfn|Cantor|1993|p=410}} The castles of these robber barons, such as [[Le Puiset]], [[Châteaufort, Yvelines|Châteaufort]], and [[Montlhery|Montlhéry]], these barons would charge tolls, waylay merchants and pilgrims, terrorize the peasantry and loot churches and abbeys, the latter deeds drawing the ire of the writers of the day, who were mostly clerics.

In 1108, soon after he ascended the throne, Louis engaged in war with Hugh of [[Crécy-en-Ponthieu|Crécy]], who was plaguing the countryside and had captured Eudes, Count of Corbeil, and imprisoned him at [[La Ferte-Alais|La Ferté-Alais]]. Louis besieged that fortress to free Eudes.{{sfn|Halphen|1926|p=596}}

Also in 1108,{{sfn|Devailly|1973|p=399}} a [[seigneur]] named Aymon Vaire-Vache seized the lordship of Bourbon from his nephew, Archambaud, a minor. Louis demanded the boy be restored to his rights but Aymon refused the summons. Louis raised his army and besieged Aymon at his castle at [[Germigny-l'Exempt]],{{sfn|Legeard|2021|p=388}} forcing its surrender.

In early 1109, Louis besieged his half-brother, Philip, the son of [[Bertrade de Montfort]], who was involved in brigandry and conspiracies against the King, at [[Mantes-la-Jolie]].{{sfn|Halphen|1926|p=596}} Philip's plots included the lords of [[Montfort-l'Amaury]]. [[Amaury III de Montfort]] held many castles which, when linked together, formed a continuous barrier between Louis and vast swathes of his domains, threatening all communication south of Paris.{{sfn|Halphen|1926|p=596}}

In 1121, Louis established the ''marchands de l'eau,'' to regulate trade along the [[Seine]].{{sfn|Diffie|1960|p=12}}

In 1122, Aimeri, [[Bishop of Clermont]], appealed to Louis after [[William VI, Count of Auvergne]], had driven him from his episcopal town. When William refused Louis' summons, Louis raised an army at [[Bourges]], and marched into Auvergne, supported by some of his leading vassals, such as the Counts of [[County of Anjou|Anjou]], Brittany, and [[Nevers]]. Louis seized the fortress of [[Pont-du-Chateau]] on the [[Allier]], then attacked Clermont, which William was forced to abandon. Aimeri was restored. Four years later William rebelled again and Louis, though his increasing weight made campaigning difficult, marched again. He burned Montferrand and seized Clermont a second time, captured William, and brought him before the court at [[Orléans]] to answer for his crimes.{{sfn|Halphen|1926|p=598}}

Some of the outlaws became notorious for their cruelty, the most notable being [[Thomas, Lord of Coucy]], who was reputed to indulge in torture of his victims, including hanging men by their testicles, cutting out eyes, and chopping off feet. [[Guibert of Nogent]] noted of him, "No one can imagine the number of those who perished in his dungeons, from starvation, from torture, from filth."{{sfn|Halphen|1926|p=594}}

Another notable brigand was Hugh, Lord of [[Le Puiset]], who was ravaging the lands around [[Chartres]]. In March 1111,{{sfn|Halphen|1926|p=594}} Louis heard charges against Hugh at his court at [[Melun]] from [[Theobald II, Count of Champagne]], the Archbishop of [[Sens]], and also from bishops and abbots. Louis commanded Hugh to appear before him to answer these charges, but Hugh evaded the summons. Louis stripped him of his lands and titles and laid siege to Le Puiset. After a fierce struggle, Louis took the castle and burned it to the ground, taking Hugh prisoner.

[[File:Theobald.jpg|thumb|Theobald II of Champagne]]
Rashly, Louis released Hugh, and while Louis was engaged in war with [[Henry I of England]] and Theobald, Hugh raised another band of brigands and began ravaging the country again. When Louis returned his attention to Hugh, he found Le Puiset rebuilt and Hugh receiving aid from Theobald. Hugh held out against the King until Theobald abandoned him. Once again Louis razed Le Puiset and Hugh, who had sworn never to return to his brigandage, rebuilt the castle and resumed terrorizing his neighbours. At the third attempt, Louis finally defeated Hugh and stripped him of his possessions for the last time. Hugh later died on an expiatory [[pilgrimage]] to the [[Holy Land]].{{sfn|Halphen|1926|p=595}}

These were just some of the recalcitrant nobles Louis contended with. There were many more, and Louis was in constant motion against them, leading his army from castle to castle, bringing law and order to his domains. The result was increased recognition of the King's authority and the Crown's ability to impose its will, so that all sectors of French society began to see the King as their protector.