What claim did England have to French land when they started the 100 years war?

Question: What claim did England have to French land when they started the 100 years war!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

The background to the Hundred Years War, and English Kings having claim to French-speaking territories can be found in 1066, when William, Duke of Normandy, a vassal of the French king, led an invasion of England!.

He defeated the Anglo-Saxon King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings, and had himself crowned King of England!. As Duke of Normandy, he remained a vassal of the French King, and was required to swear fealty to the latter for his lands in France; for a King to swear fealty to another King was considered humiliating, and the Norman Kings of England, descendents of William the Conqueror, generally attempted to avoid the service!.

On the French side, the Capetian Kings of France resented a neighbouring king holding lands within their own realm, and sought to neutralise the threat England now posed to France!.

With the marriage of Henry II to Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152, the Kings of England came to control even more French territories: Maine, Anjou, Touraine, Poitou, Gascony, Saintonge, Aquitaine, as well as Normandy!. The political situation where the powerful and wealthy Angevin Kings of England owed vassalage to far less powerful Kings of France helped lead to the outbreak of the war!.

Remember, the Englishh and French royal families had been marrying into each other for centuries leading up the war!. When Charles IV of France died in 1328 without a son, the French crown stood to pass to his closest living male relative
Edward III of England!. By the English interpretation of feudal law, this made Edward III the legitimate heir to the throne of France!.

By the French interpretation, Edward could not succeed to the thone!. According the ancient Salic Law (succession of only legitimate male children), the French Crown could not pass to a woman or through her to her offspring!. Therefore, the closest living male relative of Charles IV who could succed to the French throne was Philip of Valois, not Edward III!.

The combination of English/French dynastic struggles and English claim to over half of France ultimately lead to the outbreak of war in 1337!.

Hope this helps,
Peace!Www@QuestionHome@Com

The problem was that the English king had no sons!. So his nephew was named king of England!. Well the King of France was also his nephew!. This is what started the war!.
The Dynastic Conflict

The last son of King Philip IV (The Fair) died in 1328, and the direct male line of the Capetians finally ended after almost 350 years!. Philip had had a daughter, however!. This daughter, Isabelle, had married King Edward II of England, and King Edward III was their son!. He was therefore Philip's grandson and successor in a direct line through Philip's daughter!. The French could not tolerate the idea that Edward might become King of France, and French lawyers brought up some old Frankish laws, the so-called Salic Law, which stated that property (including the throne) could not descend through a female!. The French then gave the crown to Philip of Valois, a nephew of Philip IV!. Nevertheless, Edward III had a valid claim to the throne of France if he wished to pursue it!.

An Agressive Spirit in England

Although France was the most populous country in Western Europe (20 million inhabitants to England's 4-5 million) and also the wealthiest, England had a strong central government, many veterans of hard fighting on England's Welsh and Scottish borders (as well as in Ireland), a thriving economy, and a popular king!. Edward was disposed to fight France, and his subjects were more than ready to support their young (only 18 years old at the time) king!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

During that time, royals intermarried!. So basically the French line was ending and was going to be passed to another family all together, but the English king (who was distantly related to the old French monarchy) claimed that he was a valid "heir" to the French empire, so the battle began!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

None!.

The same as when the Norman's invaded England in 1066!. What goes around, comes around!. What claim did the US have to the native American peoples land!?

It didn't stop their ever westwards expansion though!. And don't quote "manifest destiny!." The gent said, "those who live by the sword die by the sword!."

The only thing certain, is that the strong just do has they please, simply because they think they can!. However, no nations might is guaranteed!. Regardless of nukes or whatever!.Www@QuestionHome@Com