hilip VI (1293-1350), king of France, became king in 1328, and was founder of the Valois dynasty. Shortly after his accession he avenged the defeat of Courtrai by a victory over the Flemings at Cassel. Being resolved to expel the English from the s. of France, he in 1336 invaded Gascony, supported David Bruce against Edward III, and persuaded the Count of Flanders to arrest all English merchants in Flanders. The struggle over the Breton sucession gave Edward a fresh occasion for interference, and in 1346 the French were defeated at Crécy (August 26). [The Home University Encyclopedia, 1946]

Philip VI (1293-1350), king of France (1328-50), the grandson of King Philip III, the nephew of King Philip IV (the Fair), and son of Charles de Valois, born in Fontainebleau. Philip held several countships, including Valois, when he became regent of France on the death in 1328 of his cousin Charles IV, king of France, the last of the Capetian line. Although Edward III of England (a grandson of Philip IV) also had a claim to the throne, Philip was crowned at Reims later the same year, becoming the first ruler of the Valois dynasty. Also in that year he crushed a popular revolt in Flanders.

In 1337 France embarked on the Hundred Years' War with England. The war began badly for France. The English destroyed the French fleet off Sluis in the Netherlands in 1340, won a major victory over the French army at Crécy-en-Ponthieu, France, in 1346, and captured Calais, France, in 1347. Following these defeats, Philip made a truce with Edward III of England that lasted until Philip's death. To meet the expenses of the war, Philip debased the coinage, borrowed heavily, and levied burdensome taxes, particularly on salt. In the last three years of Philip's reign France was devastated by a plague called the Black Death. [Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia]

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