Individual Details
Philippe VI King of France
(1293 - 22 Aug 1350)
Philippe was born in 1293, the son of Charles, comte de Valois, and Marguerite d'Anjou. In 1315 he married Jeanne de Bourgogne, daughter of Robert II, duke of Burgundy, and Agnčs de France. They had six children of whom Jean II and Philippe would have progeny. As the nearest direct male heir after the death of King Charles IV, Philippe was chosen as king of France under the Salic Law. In the early years of his reign Philippe VI planned an Anglo-French crusade with Edward III of England; however, Edward withdrew his support and the plan never came to fruition.
Friction gradually built up between Philippe VI and Edward III, and when in 1337 Philippe declared Gascony confiscated, Edward retaliated by claiming the French crown. Edward III argued that his claim to the throne of France was stronger as his mother Isabella was the daughter of Philippe IV of France.
In 1339 the Hundred Years War broke out. On 24 June 1340 the English destroyed the French fleet at Sluis in Flanders. In 1343 the two kings signed a three-year truce; however, in 1345 Edward III invaded Normandy, and in 1346 he defeated the French at the Battle of Crécy where Philippe VI was badly wounded. In 1347 the English captured Calais, which they were to keep for the next two centuries. Philippe resorted to extraordinary taxes, including a salt tax, to pay for his campaigns, but he was unable to stem the English advance.
The Black Death carried off Philippe's wife Jeanne de Bourgogne in 1348 and his son Jean's wife Judith of Bohemia the following year. Philippe arranged a new marriage for his son with Blanche de Navarre-Evreux, the daughter of Philippe III, king of Navarre and through her mother the granddaughter of Louis X, king of France. When she arrived at the French court, Philippe fell in love with her himself and decided to marry her, although he was many years her senior. Another bride was found for Jean in Jeanne de Boulogne, whom he accepted without demur. Philippe wore himself out in his attempts to satisfy his new wife and prove his vigour, and within a year he sickened and died in August 1350, leaving a pregnant widow.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Friction gradually built up between Philippe VI and Edward III, and when in 1337 Philippe declared Gascony confiscated, Edward retaliated by claiming the French crown. Edward III argued that his claim to the throne of France was stronger as his mother Isabella was the daughter of Philippe IV of France.
In 1339 the Hundred Years War broke out. On 24 June 1340 the English destroyed the French fleet at Sluis in Flanders. In 1343 the two kings signed a three-year truce; however, in 1345 Edward III invaded Normandy, and in 1346 he defeated the French at the Battle of Crécy where Philippe VI was badly wounded. In 1347 the English captured Calais, which they were to keep for the next two centuries. Philippe resorted to extraordinary taxes, including a salt tax, to pay for his campaigns, but he was unable to stem the English advance.
The Black Death carried off Philippe's wife Jeanne de Bourgogne in 1348 and his son Jean's wife Judith of Bohemia the following year. Philippe arranged a new marriage for his son with Blanche de Navarre-Evreux, the daughter of Philippe III, king of Navarre and through her mother the granddaughter of Louis X, king of France. When she arrived at the French court, Philippe fell in love with her himself and decided to marry her, although he was many years her senior. Another bride was found for Jean in Jeanne de Boulogne, whom he accepted without demur. Philippe wore himself out in his attempts to satisfy his new wife and prove his vigour, and within a year he sickened and died in August 1350, leaving a pregnant widow.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Events
| Birth | 1293 | ||||
| Marriage | Jul 1313 | Fontainebleau - Jeanne de Bourgogne | |||
| Death | 22 Aug 1350 | Abbey de Coulombs |
Families
| Spouse | Jeanne de Bourgogne (1293 - 1348) |
| Child | Jean II "the Good" King of France (1319 - 1364) |
| Father | Count Charles de Valois (1270 - 1325) |
| Mother | Marguerite d'Anjou ( - 1299) |
| Sibling | Marguerite de Valois (1295 - 1342) |