Edward III of England

Prince Edward was engaged to the twelve-year-old Philippa of Hainault. Their marriage took place on January 24, 1348. They had twelve children, seven sons and five daughters.

Following the death of Queen Philippa in 1369, King Edward III came under the influence of his mistress Alice Perrers, a corrupt and immoral woman.

In June 1376, his son Edward was stricken with illness that cost him his life. Later the same year, King Edward III suffered from an abscess. He never fully recovered from the condition. A stroke on June 21, 1377 led to his death.

Edward III was born to King Edward II and Queen Isabella of France on November 13, 1312 at Windsor Castle. He was popularly referred to as Edward of Windsor.

Merely 12 days old, Edward III was bequeathed with the title Earl of Chester by his father, King Edward II. The appointment was essentially made to boost the prestige of the young prince.

In 1325, young Edward III accompanied his mother to perform homage for the English Duchy of Aquitaine. It was during this trip that his mother befriended exiled Roger Mortimer. Together with Mortimer, she planned to depose King Edward II and instead crown her son.

In France, Prince Edward was engaged to the twelve-year-old Philippa of Hainault. The association was merely done to build up diplomatic and military support. Following the invasion of England and dethronement of his father, he was crowned as King of England on February 1, 1327

Since Edward III was too young to rule as the King of England, Roger Mortimer served as the de-facto ruler of England. During the latter’s reign, England not just faced a humiliating defeat by the Scots at the Battle of Stanhope Park but had to sign the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton which secured Scotland the status of an independent nation.

Relations between Mortimer and Edward III were not too good. They only worsened with time following Edward III’s marriage to Philippa and the birth of their son. Resenting Mortimer’s political position and interference with the government, Edward III premeditated Mortimer’s execution.

Following Mortimer’s death, Edward III began to rule and reign in real. His foremost aim was to rebuild England into a powerful nation that it had once been under his grandfather Edward I. He repudiated the Treaty of Northampton and with that declared the War with Scotland.

While King Edward III fought many battles during the Hundred Years’ War, the highlight of his military career came at the Battle of Crecy. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the English army under his able guidance, tactical measures and effective military and warfare skills gained a resounding victory over the large French army.

King Edward III’s victory at Crecy was soon followed by that of his son at the Battle of Poitiers. Eventually, the Treaty of Brétigny was signed according to which King Edward III secured possession of French sovereignty in return for relinquishing his claim to the French throne.