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 in
Flanders was crushed, Phillip summoned the King of England to do homage for
Aquitaine, Ponthieu and Montreuil, fiefs held absolutely from the crown of
France. Such a proceeding placed Edward and his council in a great
embarrassment. In case of a refusal the whole of the possessions of the
crown in France might be declared forfeited and be seized, while England
was in no condition to defend them; on the other hand, the fact of doing
homage to Phillip of Valois would be a sort of recognition of his right to