War of French Succession

The Wars of French Succession (1138-1156) were a series of wars fought principally in France that involved several major European powers of the time.

The central cause of the war was the lack of a suitable heir for the much-disputed throne of France, an issue which threatened to continue end the young Capetan Dynasty. However, there were a series of complex political and social issues which began the conflict, including French erosion into Anglo-held Norman territories and long-standing continental disagreements over Papal political jurisdiction.

There were a range of political and social consequences for the war, but the most resounding was the mass devastation of entire French regions due to the employment of many disloyal mercenaries. Due to the conflicts changing circumstances, alliances changed quickly and fluidly, further destabilizing regional politics. While the English made several vast territorial acquisitions during the war and became recognized a major European power, by the wars end they were forced to give up their claim to the French crown, an action which officially ended the war, although Anglo-French conflict would continue.

Background
The overall weakness of the early Capetan was made clear by the reign of Henry I, and it was during his long reign that the royal demesne of France reached its smallest size, a symbol of the political and military incoordination of the French throne. Although vast internal problems continued, by 1138 King Philip I had regained many of the lost territories, and France found itself with hegemony over Gascony, Loire, Lorraine, and Ille-de-France. While Normandy was officially still an English protectorate, by the 1130's English influence there was waning and in 1132 French military force was garrisoned in Caen, with English monarchy too distracted by their conquest of Ireland too counter this political move.

Although gains had been made in the first-quarter of the 11th century, Philip I's had grown fragile and ..., unable to properly govern. It was through this inability that the French noble class continued to grow independent and self-reliant, gaining significant power. Although the French nobles were practically free too due as they pleased within the Royal Court, they still had loyalty to Philip and so French politics remained stable.

Realizing that the chances for a legitimate heir were slim, as Queen Mary had had three miscarriages, a court-wide competition began to determine the heir. There were three main competitors for the future throne: Charles of Orleans, Guillemot de Lyon, the 1st Count of Angers, and Louis IV. While Charles and de Lyon were both powerful noblemen with significant military and political experience, Louis IV was Philips bastard son, borne of an Italian tavern whore. Overweight, lazy, and commonly perceived as weak, Louis IV had been raised personally by a pious Philip, and was officially the heir to the French throne, as he was the lone bearer of Philips blood.

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