KING EDWARD III of ENGLAND

SOME BASIC FACTS

Age: 14 -- 65Born: 13 Nov. 1312 at Windsor CastleParents Edward ii & Isabella of FranceAscended: 25 Jan. 1327 -- 14 yearsCrowned: 29 Jan. 1327 at Westminster AbbeyMarried Philippa (Dutch) at York on 24 Jan. 1328Children: 7 sons & 5 daughters. 3 illegitimate by Alice PerrersDied: 21 June 1377 at Sheen Palace, Surrey -- 64 yearsBuried At: Westminster AbbeySucceeded by: Grandson Richard ii

edward iii tomb

LIFE AS A CHILD

Little is known about his life as a child, but his family was in constant struggle due to his father’s reign. His own mother led an invasion and forced him to renounce his throne and pass it along to his son (Edward iii).

When he was crowned king, his mother and her lover, Mortimer ruled until he was 17.

When he was 17, he had Mortimer executed and his mother put on house arrest until she died.

edward ii isabella of france

SONS AND DAUGHTERS

Edward ii did have more sons than this (as I previously said); however, this is just a small snip-it of the actual family tree found here. ( click *it only shows his sons )

His first son (Edward) was known as the Black Prince due to his black armor, he wore in battle.

It was Edward’s son (Richard) who ascended the throne after Edward iii had died, making him Richard ii

THE HUNDRED YEARS WARThe Hundred Years' War was a series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453 between the House of Plantagenet, rulers of the Kingdom of England, against the House of Valois for control of the Kingdom of France.

It was fought during the reign of Edward iii, Richard ii, Henry iv, Henry v, and Henry vi.

During the first year was when the English got their first victory when French fleets invaded around Southampton, Dover, and the thames estuary for London.

hundred years war battle

BUBONIC PLAGUEDuring the midst of the Hundred Years War, the Bubonic Plague “Black Death” had reached England in 1348. During this time, war has ceased.

It killed half the population before it settled down within a year and by 1350 it was complete.

This took a toll on Edward iii because most of the labor shortage to make food and armor for his troops.

Also, serfs became free (after paying) and some of them start raising sheep while others moved towards towns to seek jobs

bubonic plague in england

IN POLITICS

Under Edward iii, the House of Lords was created which separated elected members of “commoners” from lords and bishops.

Parliament grew in power throughout the reign of Edward. The Justices of the Peace was chosen from among the local nobility. They became an amateur body carrying on local administration and government for the next 500 years.

house of lords

SMALL TIMELINE OF 100 YEARS WAR

1340 ---- Sea victory at Sluys1342 ---- Victory at Brittany1346 ---- Battle of Crecy in Normandy1356 ---- Victory at Poitiers (Black Prince

captured the French king John ii)1360 ---- Controlled over a quarter of

France1369 ---- French declared war again.

Edward left the fighting to his sons. This left them with little success and they lost a lot of territory.

1375 ---- Treaty of Bruges (with Charles v) reversed most of the english’s conquests and Calais and a coastal strip near Bordeaux were Edward’s only lasting gain

hundred years war battle

SOURCES

● http://projectbritain.com/monarchy/plantagenets.html

● http://www.royal.gov.uk/historyofthemonarchy/kingsandqueensofengland/theplantagenets/edwardiii.aspx

● http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/edward_iii_king.shtml

● http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/179693/Edward-III

● http://www.britainexpress.com/History/Edward_II_and_Edward_III.