I am confused, which is not unusual but just the same it can be vexing. I am trying to figure out how Charles IV became King of France instead of Edward III. Some sources say Charles was the third son of Phillip IV others say Phillip IV passed away without having produced any male heirs others say he produced no legitimate male heirs. What's the story here? Did simply miss something or what? Even if Charles was a nephew how could he be closer a nephew than the the nephew produced by Charles's own sister Isabella of France? Edward it seems to be should have been next in line to the French throne.