Philip VI of France

Philip VI
Philip VI in a contemporary miniature depicting the trial of Robert III of Artois, c. 1336
King of France (more...)
Reign	1 February 1328[1] – 22 August 1350
Coronation	29 May 1328
Predecessor	Charles IV
Successor	John II
Regent	Queen Joan (1340, 1345–1346, 1347)
Born	1293 Fontainebleau, Paris, France
Died	22 August 1350 (aged 56 or 57) Coulombes Abbey, Nogent-le-Roi, Eure-et-Loir, France
Burial	Saint Denis Basilica, Saint-Denis, Paris
Spouses	Joan of Burgundy ​ ​ (m. 1313; died 1349)​ Blanche of Navarre ​ (m. 1350)​
Issue among others	John II of France Philip, Duke of Orléans Joan of France Illegitimate : Jean d'Armagnac Thomas de la Marche, bâtarde de France
House	Valois
Father	Charles, Count of Valois
Mother	Margaret, Countess of Anjou

Philip VI (French: Philippe; 1293 – 22 August 1350), called the Fortunate (French: le Fortuné) or the Catholic (French: le Catholique) and of Valois (de Valois) was the first king of France from the House of Valois, reigning from 1328 until his death in 1350. Philip's reign was dominated by the consequences of a succession dispute. When King Charles IV of France died in 1328, his nearest male relative was his sororal nephew, King Edward III of England, but the French nobility preferred Charles's paternal cousin, Philip.

At first, Edward seemed to accept Philip's succession, but he pressed his claim to the throne of France after a series of disagreements with Philip. The result was the beginning of the Hundred Years' War in 1337.

After initial successes at sea, Philip's navy was annihilated at the Battle of Sluys in 1340, ensuring that the war would occur on the continent. The English took another decisive advantage at the Battle of Crécy (1346), while the Black Death struck France, further destabilising the country.

In 1349, Philip bought the Province of Dauphiné from its ruined ruler, the Dauphin Humbert II, and entrusted the government of this province to his grandson, Prince Charles. Philip VI died in 1350 and was succeeded by his son John II.