Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why did French nobles choose Philip VI as king in 1328?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Medieval illustration of the Battle of Crecy shows armored soldiers fighting with swords, shields, and bows as mounted knights and banners fill the background. — Hundred Years’ War Image depicting the Battle of Crécy, during the Hundred Years' War, in which Edward III of England defeated Philip VI of France on August 26, 1346.

Following the death of King Charles IV in 1328, who left no male heir, the French crown faced a succession crisis. An assembly of magnates was tasked with deciding the new monarch, ultimately choosing Philip, count of Valois, as Philip VI.2

The decision was driven by several key factors:

Experience and Maturity: Philip was of mature age and had already served as regent of France, providing a sense of stability during the transition.1
Exclusion of Female Succession: By this time, the principle had been established that women were excluded from the French throne, and consequently, descent through a female line—such as that of Edward III of England, who claimed the throne through his mother, Isabella—was not considered a valid basis for a claim.23
Political Influence: Edward III was young and perceived to be under the influence of his mother, Isabella, which likely disposed the council at Vincennes to favor the more established Philip.1

By selecting Philip, the French nobility upheld the emerging customs and principles that would later be formalized as the Salic Law of Succession.3