postCharles

postCharles refers to the period following the reign of King Charles IV of France, who died in 1328. This marked the end of the direct Capetian dynasty, a line of kings that had ruled France for over 300 years. Charles IV left no male heirs, triggering a succession crisis that would have significant consequences for the Kingdom of France.

The death of Charles IV led to a dispute over who should inherit the throne. The closest male relative through the male line was his cousin, Philip of Valois, who was crowned King Philip VI. However, Edward III of England, a nephew of Charles IV through his mother Isabella, also claimed the French throne. This dual claim, rooted in the Salic Law which restricted inheritance through the female line, became a major casus belli for the ensuing Hundred Years' War.

The post-Charles period, therefore, is characterized by the tumultuous transition of power, the assertion of new dynastic claims, and the eventual outbreak of a protracted and devastating conflict. The shift from the direct Capetians to the House of Valois fundamentally altered the political landscape of France and had a profound impact on European history for centuries to come. The legacy of this succession dispute shaped national identities and political alliances.