House of Valois French royal dynasty Country: France

1. The Valois Dynasty: A Biography
2. The Succession Crisis
3. Philip, Count of Valois
4. Philip III of Évreux
5. Edward III of England
6. The Hundred Years War

The Valois Dynasty: A Biography

The Valois dynasty was a French royal dynasty that ruled from 1328 to 1589, until they were succeeded by the House of Bourbon. As the younger branch of the Capetian dynasty, they held the duchy of Burgundy from 1363 to 1482. The Valois were descendants of Charles of Valois, the fourth son of King Philip III and father of King Philip VI. They claimed the French throne based on the Salic Law, which excluded women and descendants through the female line from succession. However, their claims were relinquished by Joan II of Navarre, daughter of King Louis X, and Edward III of England, grandson of King Philip IV.

The Succession Crisis

During the reign of Philip IV from 1285 to 1314, the Capetian dynasty seemed secure. Philip left behind three sons - Louis, Philip, and Charles - and a daughter, Isabella of France. Each of his sons became king but died without male heirs, breaking a three-and-a-half-century streak. Their daughters were unable to inherit the throne, and when King Charles IV died in 1328, the French throne was left vacant. Three possible candidates emerged for the position of king.

Philip, Count of Valois

Philip, Count of Valois, the son of Charles of Valois and grandson of King Philip III, was the closest male heir. Charles IV had chosen him as regent before his death. At the time, Philip was 35 years old.

Philip III of Évreux

Philip III of Évreux, the Count of Évreux and King of Navarre, was another grandson of Philip III and nephew of Philip IV. He strengthened his position by marrying Joan of France, daughter of Louis X and Queen Joan II of Navarre.

Edward III of England

Edward III of England, the son of Isabella of France and grandson of Philip IV, claimed the French throne as the sole male heir of Philip IV. In England, Queen Isabella asserted her son's rights to the French throne. Although English inheritance laws at the time did not allow women to ascend the throne, like in France, male descendants through the female line could inherit. The French, however, rejected her claims, arguing that if she could not inherit anything, then her son had nothing to inherit. Philip of Valois became the new King of France, and Navarre was once again declared an independent kingdom under the rule of Philip of Évreux and his wife Joan.

The Hundred Years War

Unfortunately, negotiations with the English king and his mother, known as the She-Wolf of France, did not end peacefully. For several years, England and France were in a state of tenuous peace, which eventually erupted into the Hundred Years War, lasting 116 years and severely draining both states. After Philip VI, six kings, direct descendants of the Valois, ruled until Louis XII from the Orleans branch of the Valois dynasty ascended the throne in 1498. He was succeeded by his son-in-law, Francis I, the founder of the Angoulême branch of the Valois dynasty and a descendant of King Charles V. The last ruler of the Valois dynasty was Henry III, who reigned from 1574 to 1589 and was assassinated without leaving legitimate heirs. He was succeeded by Henry IV of the House of Bourbon.