What is the Salic Law and what is its significance in the play?

Salic Law says in the Salic land, women are not allowed to inherit property. The law is significant in the play because it means that King Henry would not be able to claim the throne of France because his French lineage is through female ancestors. However, as the Archbishop of Canterbury explains, Salic land is part of Germany and the law has no merit in France. Canterbury further informs the king that several kings including the present one have ascended to the throne through their mother's line and that the French are trying to employ the law as a means of keeping Henry from taking the throne.