Many medieval and early modern empires were founded on the sterility of princely houses. Kingdoms and principalities that resisted conquest for centuries were gobbled up whole if their ruling dynasty died out. Whenever a prince failed to provide a legitimate heir, greedy relatives and neighbours could soon be seen circling him like a pack of vultures, and conquest or civil war were bound to follow. When a prince sired only daughters, he was just as quickly surrounded by suitors, anxious to put their hands on the dowry. It was in such a way that Scotland and England, and Aragon and Castile – hitherto bitter enemies – found themselves united into Britain and Spain. It was in such a way that the Habsburgs constructed the greatest empire of the early modern age.

During the late Middle Ages no dynasty preyed on its infertile neighbours with more ruthlessness and success than the Valois of Burgundy. Since their stepping stones to empire were the heads and wombs of princes and princesses, the focus of their military efforts too was on these heads and wombs as much as on armies and fortresses.

The house of Valois was a cadet house of the Capetians, the ruling dynasty of France since 987. (See genealogical table overleaf.) It came to power in 1328 when the last Capetian king of France, Charles IV, died without leaving any male heir. The Capetian inheritance – which constituted the most powerful kingdom in Christendom – was then disputed between Charles IV's cousin, Count Philip of Valois, and his nephew, King Edward III of England.