ABSTRACT
T he death o f Charles IV without a male heir heralded the end of the directCapetian dynasty. In conformity wit h rece ntly established precedents the magn ates o f the realm agreed th at th e th rone should pass to a cadet branch of the family, in the person of Philip VI ofValois, grandson of Philip III in the male line. But the last Capetian kings had left numerous daughters, and although it was agreed th at they could not inherit th e crown of France th ey still clearly had so me rights in certain royal lands.
