His predecessors had been known as kings of the Franks Latin : rex Francorum , but from onward, Philip became the first French monarch to style himself "King of France" rex Francie. Philip was given the epithet " Augustus " by the chronicler Rigord for having extended the crown lands of France so remarkably.
After decades of conflicts with the House of Plantagenet , Philip succeeded in putting an end to the Angevin Empire by defeating a coalition of his rivals at the Battle of Bouvines in This victory would have a lasting impact on western European politics: the authority of the French king became unchallenged, while the English King John was forced by his barons to assent to Magna Carta and deal with a rebellion against him aided by Philip's son Louis , the First Barons' War.
The military actions surrounding the Albigensian Crusade helped prepare the expansion of France southward. Philip did not participate directly in these actions, but he allowed his vassals and knights to help carry them out.
Philip transformed France into the most prosperous and powerful country in Europe. He built a great wall around Paris "the Wall of Philip II Augustus " , re-organised the French government, and brought financial stability to his country. Louis intended to make Philip co-ruler with him, in accordance with the traditions of the House of Capet , but these plans were delayed when Philip became ill after a hunting trip.
From the time of his coronation, all real power was transferred to Philip, as his father's health slowly declined. The first major increase to the royal demesne came in , when Philip acquired the County of Amiens. The main source of funding for Philip's army was the royal demesne. In times of conflict, he could immediately call up knights, horse sergeants, mounted crossbowmen, crossbowmen on foot, 2, foot sergeants, and mercenaries.
