France

Philip's Sons

Philip's eldest son was Louis X, and he inherited the crown smoothly in 1314. He was capable and intelligent and well-liked, and he'd had plenty of time to learn the art of kingship at his father's court.

But in 1316 Louis fell ill, so he did not have time to do much. When he died, his wife was pregnant. She gave birth to a boy, who was proclaimed King John I, but the baby died only a few days later. Louis had a daughter, though, and French custom allowed a daughter to inherit her father's fief. The point was debated, but in the end Louis' younger brother won out over Louis' daughter, mainly because the brother was acting as regent at the time and had control of the crown.

Philip V (1316-1322), moreover, was every bit as capable and intelligent and well-liked as his big brother, so the nobility were satisfied. Philip successfully dealt with troubles in Flanders and managed to get one of his daughters married to the Flemish count.

Philip, too, died of disease early, however, and six years is not much time in which to leave one's mark.