The article is devoted to the study of the problem of the evolution of the rules of succession to the royal throne in the French kingdom in the late XIV - early XV centuries. The author concluded that the dynastic crisis of 1316 - 1328, as well as the events of the Hundred Years War, in particular the claims of the English monarchs to the crown of Valois, had a significant impact on their formation. By the beginning of the 15th century the basic rules for the transfer of power in France were formulated in order to exclude its possibility of transferring to other dynasties, including Lancaster. However, the crisis of power in France, provoked by the mental illness of King Charles VI, the beginning of the confrontation between the supporters of the Dukes of Orleans and Burgundy forced to make new changes in the rules of inheritance, which in 1420 made it possible to transfer it into the hands of a foreign prince - Henry V - through his formal adoption by Charles VI and Isabella of Bavaria. Thus, the king of England took first place, pushing the Dauphin Charles out of the line for succession. However, for this, the King of England had to give up the title of King of France, limiting his claims to the title of heir.