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The House of Valois[1] (French pronunciation: [valwa]) was a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty, succeeding the House of Capet (or "Direct Capetians") as kings of France from 1328 to 1589. A cadet branch of the family reigned as dukes of Burgundy from 1363 to 1482.
They were descendants of Charles of Valois, the fourth son of King Philip III. They based their claim on the Salic law, which excluded females (Joan II of Navarre) as well as male descendants through the distaff line (Edward III of England), from the succession to the French throne.
The Capetian dynasty seemed secure both during and after the reign of Philip IV. Philip had left three surviving sons (Louis, Philip and Charles) and a daughter (Isabella). Each son became king in turn but died young without male heirs, leaving only daughters who could not inherit the throne. When Charles IV died in 1328, the French Succession was thrown wide open.
In 1328 there were 3 reasonable candidates to the throne;
Philip III (1270–1285) |
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Philip IV (1285–1314) |
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Charles of Valois († 1325) |
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Louis X (1314–1316) |
Philip V (1316–1322) |
Charles IV (1322–1328) |
Isabella |
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Edward II | Philip VI (1328–1350) |
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Joan | Edward III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Under Salic law, which only recognised the male line, the throne would pass through the male descendants of the House of Capet. In England, King Edward III heard the news and made his own bid for the crown. Similar to France, the English law of succession did not allow the succession of females[2], but allowed the succession through the female line (as was the case with Henry II of England). The French law of succession, however, not only forbade the succession of females, but also succession through the female line.
Because diplomacy and negotiation had failed, Edward III would have to back his claims with force if he was to claim the throne. For a few years, England and France were in an uneasy peace. Eventually, an escalation of conflict between the two kings led to the confiscation of the duchy of Aquitaine. Instead of paying homage to the French king, as his ancestors had done, Edward claimed that he was the rightful King of France. These events were a key reason for the Hundred Years War between England and France.
The application of the Salic Law meant that with the extinction of the Valois line on the male side, the Bourbon Dynasty followed as descendants of Louis IX.
Forms of address for Valois kings included "Most Christian Majesty".
House of Valois
Cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty
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Preceded by House of Capet |
Ruling House of France 1328–1589 |
Succeeded by House of Bourbon |
Preceded by Capetian House of Burgundy |
Ruling House of the Duchy of Burgundy 1363–1482 |
Succeeded by House of Habsburg |
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