Growth of Royal Power

Upon the death of Louis V, French nobles chose Hugh Capet, duke of France, as king. He was crowned at Reims in 987. By that time, the feudal system had spread the power of government among local rulers, and the king had only nominal overlordship. During the reigns of Philip II (1180-1223) and his grandson, Louis IX (1226-70), the monarchy gradually expanded its power at the expense of local rulers. By the time Philip IV (1285-1314) came to the throne, France had become a unified nation. Philip's sons—Louis X, John I, and Philip V—produced no male heir, and in 1328 their cousin Philip, count of Valois, succeeded to the throne as Philip VI. Edward III of England contested Philip's right to the throne.This dispute led to what is known as the Hundred Years' War, a series of wars between England and France during 1337-1453. Early in the war, England won several major battles and conquered much French territory. When Charles VII became king in 1422, France was in a state of near anarchy. With the aid of Joan of Arc, he rallied the nation. By 1453, Charles had regained most of the territory occupied by the English.