Charles IV of France
Philip's reign was dominated by the consequences of a succession dispute. When King Charles IV of France died in 1328, the nearest male relative was his nephew, King Edward III of England, but the French nobility preferred Philip who was the paternal first-cousin of King Charles. At first, King Edward III seemed to accept Philip's succession, but he later pressed his claim to the throne of France after a series of disagreements with Philip. The result was the beginning of the Hundred Years' War in 1337.