The dynasty of French kings who succeeded the Carolingians. It was not until the reign of Louis VI (1108–1137) that the dynasty established firm control over its own territories around Paris and began the slow process of gaining real power in France. Philip Augustus (1180–1223) seized Normandy and recovered many other areas which had been occupied by, or were under the influence of, the English crown. This effectively doubled the size of the country. Paris became the true centre of government. By the end of the reign of Philip IV (1285–1314) France had achieved a great degree of stability and acquired many of the legal and governmental systems which were to survive up to the French Revolution. On the death of Charles IV in 1328 the throne passed to the House of Valois who, together with the later Bourbons, could claim indirect descent from Hugh Capet (ruled 987–96), the first of the line.