History of the English line of succession to the French succession. On the day of Henry IV's death, 20 March 1413, the line of succession to the English throne following agnatic primogeniture was: Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Henry V. On the day of Henry V's death, 31 August 1422, the line of succession following agnatic primogeniture was: Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Henry VI. On the day of Henry VI's first deposition, 4 March 1461, the line of succession following agnatic primogeniture was; However, during the
French history in the English-speaking theatre 1471, Philip II of France, king from 1180 to 1223, Charles VI of France, king from 1380 to 1422, and Charles VII of France, king from 1422 to 1461. In the first scene of "King John", John of England receives a message from Philip II of France, demanding that he abdicate his throne to his nephew, Arthur I of Brittany, believed to be the rightful heir. When John refuses, war is declared. But to obtain a stronger claim to his throne and to appease the French (act 2, scene 1), John agrees to a marriage contract between Blanche of Castile,