Edward III inherits France

[LightInfa]

WI instead of choosing Phillip of Valois, Edward III is chosen as the next king of France when the Capetians died out? The nobles did not really want Edward, so we have to find some way to get rid of English-French animosity around this time. Regardless, if Edward gets the throne peacefully, can he keep it? Even if we can most of the French nobles to support him, there will probably be a significant minority of those opposing Edward which could lead to some very nasty rebellions.

[Rex Britanniae]

An interesting thought. However, the way I read it was that when Charles IV died, Philip of Valois chose himself. Even if this occurs, some significant rebellion would undoubtedly happen soon afterwards. I cannot see France peacefully passing into English hands. Also, if this happens, how would it affect Scotland? Would Edward Balliol be abandoned, and a full-scale invasion launched? Hmmm.

[el t]

Perhaps it could have worked if it were strickly a personal union. The two kingdoms would share a ruler, but would otherwise maintain separate customs, governments, and traditions. Provided French Salic law could be eliminated, then Edward III was the legal French heir, since his grandfather was a King of France. Language would also be a problem, since the Norman French dialect was nearly dead in England by Edward III's time, and the English would have resented an influx of new French speakers from France.

[Don_Giorgio]

Didnt France had Salic Law at the time or am i mistaken?
If Salic Law was in force Edward III couldnt had inherited France since he got his claim through female line (through his mother Isabelle Capet daughter of Philippe IV)

[Grey Wolf]

Originally Posted by Don_Giorgio

Didnt France had Salic Law at the time or am i mistaken?
If Salic Law was in force Edward III couldnt had inherited France since he got his claim through female line (through his mother Isabelle Capet daughter of Philippe IV)

Yes, but IIRC Salic Law is not a law per se, it is a tradition and was actually invented by one of the earlier Capetian kings to prevent his daughters getting their hands on the throne. Thus tradition and precedence brings the junior Capetian line (Valois was still a Capetian, it was just his dukedom) to the throne.

IMHO it would take a substantial portion of the French establishment to be AGAINST his accession for anything to happen - ie the archbishops, some of the other powerful dukes. It would need something akin to the disinheritance of the last Carolingian cadet line that brought the Capetians to the throne in the first place to occur

Best Regards
Grey Wolf