dward is consequently in the direct line,
and had Isabella been a man instead of a woman his right to the throne
would be unquestionable. In France, however, there is a law called
the 'Salic' law, which excludes females from the throne; but it is
maintained by many learned in the law, that although a female is held to
be incompetent to reign because from her sex she cannot lead her armies
to battle, yet she no ways forfeits otherwise her rights, and that her
son is therefore the heir to the throne. If this contention, which
is held by all English jurists, and by many in France also, be well
founded, Edward is the rightful King of France. Phillip of Valois
contends that the 'Salic law' not only bars a female from ascending the
throne, but also destroys all her rights, and that the succession goes
not to her sons but to the next heir male; in which case, of course,
Phillip is rightful king. It is not for me to say which view is the
right one, but certainly the great majority of those who have been
consulted have decided that, according to ancient law and usage, the
right lies with Edward. But in these matters 'right is not always
might.' Had Isabella married a French noble instead of an English
king it is probable that her son's claim to the throne would have been
allowed without dispute, but her son is King of England, and the French
nobles prefer being ruled by one of themselves to becoming united with
England under one king.

"At the time of the death of the last king, Edward was still but a boy
under the tuition of his mother, Phillip was a man, and upon the spot,
therefore he was able to win support by presence and promises, and so
it came that the peers of France declared Phillip of Valois to be their
rightful monarch. Here in England, at parliament held at Northampton,
the rights of Edward were discussed and asserted, and the Bishops of
Worcester and Coventry were despatched to Paris to protest against the
validity of Phillip's nomination. As, however, the country was not in
a position to enforce the claim of their young king by arms, Phillip
became firmly seated as King of France, and having shown great energy in
at once marching against and repressing the people of Flanders, who were
in a state of rebellion against their count, one of the feudatories of
the French crown, the nobles were well satisfied with their choice, and
no question as to his right was ever henceforth raised in France. As
soon as the rebellion