The 12th century started out with Louis VI becoming king in 1108.  The king was allowed to begin to build an army because of the wealth that came from the economy.  The influence of the church and the Christian religion strengthened.  The royal family benefited from the Crusades.  The Crusades were military campaigns to recapture the Holy Land back from the Muslims.  During the rules of Louis VI and Louis VII, the Plantagenet dynasty began to rise into power.  The Plantagenet family had strong bases in both England and France.  Henry II was the first Plantagenet king in England.  He had been the Duke of Normandy.  Henry II also gained control of Aquitaine when he married Eleanor of Aquitaine.  Eleanor used to be married to Louis VII.  Louis VII’s son, Philip, maintained relations with both Henry II and his successor, Richard I, until the 1190s.  The rising Plantagenet threat erupted in conflict.  Philip and Richard began fighting while they both were on the Third Crusade.  Richard had the advantage until his death.  After the death of Richard I, John came into power.  By 1206 Philip had defeated Normandy, Maine, Touraine, Anjou, Poitou, Auvergne, and Brittany.  In 1214 he was victorious against John at the Battle of Bouvines.  After this Philip nearly invaded England.