Everything about Valois totally explained
The
House of Valois 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
1361 to
1482.
They were descendants of
Charles of Valois, the third son of King
Philip III and based their claim to be ahead of
Edward III of England and
Jeanne de Navarre on a reintroduction of the
Salic law.
Unexpected inheritance
The
Capetian dynasty had looked secure to anyone both during and after the reign of
Philip IV. He had left 3 surviving sons (Louis, Philip and Charles) and a daughter (Isabella). It was therefore even harder to believe that out of these 3 sons (who each became
King in turn and died young), none had been able to provide a single surviving male heir to 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;
• Jeanne, daughter of
Louis X who was then 16 years old. She would become
Joan II of Navarre in later years.
•
Isabella of France, daughter and only surviving child of
Philip IV. She was the sister to the previous 3 Kings of France. She had been married to the late
King Edward II of England and was the mother of the new King of England
Edward III.
• Philip, son of
Charles of Valois, who was the closest male heir and grandson of Philip III. Since his father was the brother of the late Philip IV, he was therefore a nephew of Philip IV and the cousin of Louis X, Philip V and Charles IV. Ironically he'd be known as 'the fortunate' for his previous slim chance of becoming King.
Under Salic law, which only recognised the male line, the throne would be passed through the male descendants of
Charles of Valois. In
England,
King Edward III heard the news and made his own bid for the crown. His mother was Isabella, the sister of the three previous Kings of France, and as such his claim was very strong (were it not for
Salic law). As expected, Edward’s protests fell on deaf ears. It was obvious that no Frenchman would accept an English King as his ruler.
Since diplomacy and negotiation had failed, Edward III would have to back his ideas with force if he was to claim the throne. These events were a key reason for the
hundred years war between
England and
France.
List of Valois kings of France
Valois (direct)
Valois-Orléans
Louis XII, the Father of His People 1498-1515, great-grandson of Charles V of France
Valois-Angoulême
François I -- 1515-1547, great-great-grandson of Charles V of France
Henri II -- 1547-1559
François II -- 1559-1560
Charles IX -- 1560-1574
Henri III -- 1574-1589
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.
List of Valois kings of Poland
Henryk I -- 1573-1574
Other significant titles held by the House of Valois
Louis I, duke (1360–1383) (also king of Jerusalem and Naples as Louis I), second son of John II of France
Louis II (1377–1417), son of (also king of Naples as Louis II)
Louis III (1403–1434), son of (also king of Naples as Louis III)
René I (1409–1480), brother of (also king of Jerusalem and Naples as René I)
Charles IV (1436–1481), nephew of
Philip II the Bold (1363–1404), fourth son of John II of France
John II the Fearless (1404–1419)
Philip III the Good (1419–1467)
Charles I the Bold (1467–1477)
Mary I the Rich (1477–1482)
Dukes of Brabant (House of Valois-Burgundy-Brabant)
Anthony I (1406–1415), second son of Philip the Bold of Burgundy
John IV (1415–1427)
Philip I (1427–1430)
Counts of Nevers (House of Valois-Burgundy-Nevers)
Philip II (1404–1415), third son of Philip the Bold of Burgundy
Charles I (1415–1464)
John II (1464–1491)
Charles II, count (1325-1346), second son of Charles of Valois
Charles III, count (1346-1361)
Peter II, count (1361–1391)
John I, count (1391–1414)
John I, duke (1414-1415)
John II, duke (1415-1424 and 1449–1474)
René I, duke (1478-1492)
Charles IV, duke (1492–1525)
Illegitimate family branches
House of Valois-Dunois, counts of Longueville (see Jean de Dunois)
House of Valois-Saint-Remy, counts of Saint-Rémy (see Jeanne of Valois-Saint-Rémy)
Forms of address
Forms of address for Valois kings included "Most Christian Majesty".
Further Information
Get more info on 'Valois'.
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