Philip VI of France

Philip VI ruled France from 1328 to 1350 as the first king of the House of Valois. His reign began the dynastic conflict with England that became the Hundred Years’ War.

Hundred Years’ War: A series of conflicts between England and France from 1337 to 1453 over territory and dynastic claims. Philip’s seizure of Guyenne and Edward III’s claim to the French crown helped trigger the war.
Charles IV of France: King of France from 1322 to 1328 and the last direct male Capetian king. His death without a surviving son opened the succession that brought Philip to the throne.
Joan of Burgundy: Queen of France as the wife of Philip VI and duchess of Burgundy in her own right. Her marriage connected Philip’s rule to the powerful duchy of Burgundy.
Duchy of Aquitaine: A large southwestern French territory held by English kings as vassals of the French crown. Philip’s confiscation of this fief from Edward III sharpened the Anglo-French dispute.
Papal conclave, 1342: The conclave that elected Pierre Roger as Pope Clement VI in 1342. The new pope had served Philip as an adviser and maintained close ties with the French court.
Battle of Crécy: A major English victory over France in 1346 during the Hundred Years’ War. Philip commanded the French forces defeated by Edward III’s army at Crécy.
House of Capet: The dynasty that ruled France from Hugh Capet’s accession in 987 until the early fourteenth century. Philip inherited a crown whose direct Capetian male line had ended with Charles IV.
John II of France: King of France from 1350 to 1364 and son and successor of Philip VI. He inherited the crown as the Hundred Years’ War and its financial burdens continued.
Feudalism: A system of political and social relationships organized around landholding, service, and personal obligations. Philip’s authority over Guyenne rested on claims of overlordship and vassalage.
Avignon Papacy: The period from 1309 to 1377 when successive popes resided primarily in Avignon. The papal residence near France strengthened the setting for Philip’s diplomacy with Clement VI.

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