Philip VI of France, born in 1293 and died on August 22, 1350, was the first king of the House of Valois to rule France. His reign, which lasted from 1328 to 1350, marked a significant period in French history, particularly due to the onset of the Hundred Years' War.
Philip was the son of Charles of Valois and Marguerite of Anjou and Maine. His lineage was closely tied to the royal family through his uncle, Philip IV of France. When the last Capetian king, Charles IV, died without a male heir in 1328, the issue of succession became a point of contention. Philip VI claimed the throne by asserting the principle of male succession, which led to the exclusion of Edward III of England, whose mother was the sister of Charles IV.
Philip VI's claim to the throne was contested by Edward III, who later in 1337 formally declared himself king of France, initiating the Hundred Years' War. The war initially saw several French victories, including the Battle of Saint-Omer in 1340, but the tide turned with the disastrous Battle of Crécy in 1346, where the French army was decisively defeated by the English forces employing longbows and tactical innovation.
Philip VI made efforts to strengthen the monarchy and centralize power. He established the Chambre des Comptes, which was tasked with financial oversight. However, his reign was also marked by financial difficulties, partly due to the costs of war and the economic impacts of the Black Death, which began to affect France towards the end of his rule.
Philip VI's reign ended with his death in 1350. He left behind a kingdom embroiled in war, with significant territorial losses to England, but his establishment of the Valois dynasty would continue for centuries. His policies and the beginning of the Hundred Years' War shaped the political and military landscape of Europe for generations.