Royal accession in France was restricted to male heirs under Salic Law. Salic Law (Lex Salica or Law of the Salian Franks) was issued around 509 in the reign of Clovis, founder of the Merovingian rule in western Europe. It was reissued during the reign of Charlemagne (Carolingian) but was constantly being changed. Documents have survived from the Merovingian / Carolingian eras.
Although in place, the law was not applied from the reign of Hugh Capet (who died in 996) until Philip IV (who died in 1314) as the Capetian dynasty provided sons as heirs to the throne.
This changed in 1593 when Salic Law was invoked to stop Isabella, the Spanish infanta and granddaughter of Henry II of France, acceding to the throne. From then on, it was accepted as the law of the land, but it was not always quoted as reason for excluding females from the throne.
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Rulers of France in Chronological Order from 12th
Century |
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1137 – 1180 |
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1180 – 1223 |
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1223 – 1226 |
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1226 – 1270 |
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1270 – 1285 |
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1285 – 1314 |
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1314 – 1316 |
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1316 – 1322 |
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1322 – 1328 |
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1328 – 1350 |
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1350 – 1364 |
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1364 – 1380 |
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1380 – 1422 |
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1422 – 1461 |
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1461 – 1483 |
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1483 – 1498 |
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1498 – 1515 |
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1515 – 1547 |
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1547 – 1559 |
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1559 – 1560 |
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1560 – 1574 |
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1574 – 1589 |
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1589 – 1610 |
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1610 – 1643 |
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1643 – 1715 |
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1715 – 1774 |
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1774 – 1792 |
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1804 – 1815 |
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1814 – 1824
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1824 – 1830 |
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1830 – 1848 |
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1848 – 1870 |
Napoleon III, President of the Second French Republic, Emperor |