Page:Conquest of France (1).pdf/3

Rh was not able to reſcue them from becoming the trophies of our conquering Princes.

King Edward the third, in his Father's life time, took upon him the title of King of England, when he was but fifteen years of age; and ſhewed much of a martial ſpirit, and promiſed great things to the world; for having warred ſucceſsfully in Scotland, and brought that to his terms, their King ſubmitted, and holding Fealty of him, Philip the French King, began to miſtruſt his growing greatneſs and thinking whilſt he was young, to put a check to his valour, ſent to demand homage for the province of Guyene, held by him in France, but he not only refuſed it, but laid claim to the Crown, as coming to him in right of Queen Iſabella, his mother, being Nephew to Charles the fourth, brother to the ſaid Iſabella. To this the French oppoſed their Salique Law, wherein it was provided, that no woman ſhould inherit the Crown of France: But this being lock'd up, as contrived to hinder the ſucceſſion of the Engliſh Kings in their marriages with the Daughters of France. A war was proclaimed, the King quartering the Arms of France with thoſe of England, and laying claim to the Crown. This buſineſs was extraordinary weighty, King Edward craved the advice of the Earl of Hanault, father to Phiippa his Queen, who with his brother,