HOUSE VALOIS

In 1328 - 1329 King Philip VI obtained the homage of Edward III, who was Duke of
Guyenne, a vassal of Philip, and King of England. Edward called for a revision of the
judicial situation of the Duchy and, after eight years of discussions, the negotiations
finally broke down. In order to keep his Duchy, Edward had no choice but to challenge
Philip VI’s right to the crown.

Philip could no longer be in any doubt about Edward Plantaganet’s intentions and
pronounced the confiscation of Guyenne on May 24th, 1337, ordering his troops to occupy
the Duchy. Edward disavowed his homage and challenged the Valois Prince’s right to
reign. The argument of Salic Law was re-enforced, declaring that a heritage to the French
throne could not be transmitted through a female line, thus making the Valois dynasty
legitimate. Edward pursued his goal, claiming rights to the French throne through his
mother, Isabella of France, and thus began a series of conflicts that were to last through
the reign of each king’s sons, grandsons, to the great great grandsons. This period of
history is now known as The Hundred Years’ War; though, in fact, it lasted 116 years.