Edward III of England

NAME Edward III of England

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Edward III is best known for his military success during the Hundred Years’ War, his establishment of the Order of the Garter, and his role in developing England into a major European power. His reign also saw the beginnings of the English Renaissance and the Black Death.

BIRTH Edward III was born on November 13, 1312, at Windsor Castle.

FAMILY BACKGROUND He was the son of King Edward II of England and Queen Isabella of France. His mother played a significant role in his rise to the throne after leading a rebellion against his father.

CHILDHOOD Edward's early life was marked by turmoil due to his father's tumultuous reign, which included conflicts with the English nobility and military defeats against Scotland.

Edward III spent his early years surrounded by servants and household officials, receiving occasional visits from his parents. By the age of twelve days, he was created Earl of Chester, indicating his early involvement in royal affair

In 1314, he was moved to Ludgershall in East Wiltshire, where he began to develop an understanding of royal administration through his interactions with his household officers, such as his steward, Sir Robert Mauley. 

EDUCATION Edward III received a rigorous education fitting for a future king. He learned Latin and French, which were essential languages for court and diplomacy. His education also included history, law, and military strategy, preparing him well for his future role. The Bishop of Durham, Richard de Bury, was an influential tutor who played a significant role in shaping Edward's worldview and equipping him with the necessary skills for kingship. (1)

CAREER RECORD Became King of England in 1327 after his father's forced abdication.

Initially ruled under a regency led by his mother and her lover, Roger Mortimer.

Overthrew Mortimer in 1330, taking personal control of the government.

Claimed the French throne in 1337, leading to the Hundred Years' War.

Achieved significant military victories at Crécy (1346) and Poitiers (1356).

Established the Order of the Garter in 1348.

Reigned during the Black Death, which significantly impacted England.

Oversaw a period of legislative activity and consolidation of royal power.

APPEARANCE Edward III was known for his handsome, fair-haired good looks in his youth. However, by the end of his reign, he had become a senile, disheveled figure with a long, unkempt white beard.

An illuminated manuscript miniature,c.1430-1440, of Edward III of England (

FASHION Edward III founded the Order of the Garter, one of the most prestigious orders of chivalry. A well-known, though possibly apocryphal, story suggests the Order originated when his daughter-in-law, Joan of Kent, dropped an article of clothing during a dance. To quell any potential embarrassment, Edward is said to have tied it around his leg, proclaiming 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), which became the Order's motto. The precise nature of the item is debated among historians.

During Edward’s reign, shoes with long, pointed toes became increasingly fashionable. Concerned about their excessive length, he enacted a law restricting the spikes or points of shoes to no more than two inches.

CHARACTER Edward III was known for his strong will, ambition, and martial prowess. He had an easy charm but was quick tempered. Edward was also known to be proud and sometimes ruthless.

SPEAKING VOICE Edward III spoke both English and French fluently, allowing him to communicate effectively with both his English subjects and European allies and adversaries. He was the first post-1066 English King to speak in English rather than French as his mother tongue.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Edward III had a playful side and enjoyed elaborate banquets where he and his soldiers dressed in costumes. One of his more eccentric choices was to attend feasts dressed as a pheasant, while his men came as swans. He also revelled in the spectacle of courtly entertainment, often using humour to charm his nobles and foreign dignitaries.

RELATIONSHIPS Edward III and Philippa of Hainault were married on January 24, 1328, at York Minster in York, England. This marriage was arranged by Queen Isabella, Edward III's mother, for political reasons, including securing military aid from Philippa's father, Count William of Hainault, to support Isabella's invasion of England and the deposition of her husband, Edward II. As second cousins, they required a papal dispensation to wed

Edward III was deeply devoted to his wife. Philippa of Hainault considered beautiful and charming with dark brown hair, deep-set eyes, a high forehead, full lips, and brown skin. Their marriage was unusually happy for a royal union, producing thirteen children, including five sons who reached adulthood. Their eldest, Edward the Black Prince, became a celebrated military leader.

Philippa's coronation

Despite his love for Philippa, Edward had a reputation as a womaniser. However, there is no evidence of infidelity until he took Alice Perrers as his mistress in 1363 when she was just 18. Alice had originally been a Lady of Honour to Queen Philippa and later dominated Edward in his final years as he declined into senility. After Philippa's death in 1369, Alice Perrers, became a byword for corruption.

Edward's relationship with his mother, Isabella, was complex, particularly after he overthrew Mortimer.

MONEY AND FAME Edward III was one of the most powerful and wealthy monarchs of his time, thanks to military successes and strategic governance. His victories in the Hundred Years’ War, particularly at Crécy and Poitiers, enhanced his prestige across Europe. 

Edward III, always enthusiastic about funding his military campaigns, secured a massive £1.4 million loan from Florentine banks, even going so far as to pledge his crown jewels as collateral. Unfortunately, his financial acumen did not match his battlefield prowess. When he found himself unable to repay the debt, the situation took a dramatic turn—Edward was effectively declared bankrupt, and the once-powerful Florentine banks collapsed as a result.

Another example of his rather woolly financial thinking came with the Flanders weavers scandal. In an attempt to manipulate wool prices, Edward restricted fleece exports to Flanders, inadvertently creating a wool surplus in England while simultaneously starving the weavers of Flanders, who depended on English wool for their livelihood. Unsurprisingly, this led to an uprising. Realizing the scale of the disaster, Edward lifted the blockade and, in a strategic pivot, formed an alliance with the Flanders weavers against France—turning economic mismanagement into an opportunistic diplomatic move.

As Edward’s later years were marked by military setbacks in France, he turned to Parliament in 1374-1375, requesting more funds by taxing the wine and wool trades. This did not go over well, especially as England was in the grips of a fresh outbreak of bubonic plague, which left the population reeling. The ‘Good Parliament’ of 1376—clearly fed up with the king’s overambitious spending—criticized his councillors, including the influential family of his mistress, Alice Perrers. They advised Edward to scale down his ambitions to match his dwindling finances, a suggestion the once-mighty warrior king could no longer afford to ignore.

FOOD AND DRINK Medieval feasts at Edward’s court were grand affairs featuring roasted meats, spiced dishes, and extravagant presentations. As a ruler who enjoyed lavish entertainments, Edward ensured that his banquets were filled with exotic foods, wine, and ale. His court likely followed the medieval fashion of using elaborate food displays to impress guests, such as towering pies filled with live birds.

MUSIC AND ARTS Edward III’s reign saw a flourishing of music and the arts. Court musicians and minstrels entertained nobles with harps, lutes, and early forms of the violin. The king encouraged troubadours and poets, fostering a lively artistic culture that complemented the chivalric ideals he upheld.

LITERATURE Edward III’s court was an important centre for literature. His reign overlapped with the early career of Geoffrey Chaucer, who would later become one of England’s most celebrated poets. Chivalric romances, epic poetry, and chronicles of war were popular, with Edward himself keen to promote the Arthurian ideals of knighthood and honour. 

NATURE Edward’s love of hunting and hawking demonstrated his appreciation for the natural world. Like many medieval monarchs, he maintained vast hunting forests and reserves, where he and his nobles could pursue deer, boar, and game birds. His passion for these pursuits reinforced his image as a strong and active king.

PETS Medieval kings often kept hunting dogs, falcons, and even exotic animals as status symbols. As an avid hunter, he likely owned a collection of prized hunting hounds and birds of prey.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Edward III was an accomplished jouster and loved the spectacle of tournaments. He celebrated his victory at Crécy by hosting a series of jousting events at a massive arena in Smithfield. His skill in the lists reinforced his reputation as a warrior-king.

However, he was also concerned about the decline of archery among Englishmen. In 1349, he declared that young men were neglecting their training due to "vain plays which have no profit in them," including handball, bandy ball, and football. To remedy this, he banned these pastimes and imposed fines and prison sentences on landowners who allowed such games on their estates, ensuring that archery remained a cornerstone of English military strength.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Edward III's reign saw developments in architecture, engineering, and medicine. The construction of grand castles and military fortifications required advances in engineering and mathematical calculations. Additionally, England's experience with the Black Death during his reign led to a greater awareness of public health and medical practices, though medieval medicine was still deeply rooted in superstition.

REIGN Edward III of England ruled from January 25, 1327, until his death in 1377, a reign filled with battles, betrayals, bad financial decisions, and the occasional outbreak of plague. He was, in many ways, the archetypal medieval king—brave, ambitious, and just unhinged enough to keep things interesting.

Edward III became king at the tender age of 14, which is an exciting age for most teenagers—except his rise to power involved the forced abdication (read: ousting) of his father, Edward II. The actual rulers, however, were his mother, Isabella of France (who was far too competent for her time), and her lover, Roger Mortimer (who was rather too pleased with himself). Edward, understandably, did not care for this arrangement. In 1330, he staged a dramatic coup in Nottingham, bursting into Mortimer’s chambers and having him dragged off to Tyburn, where he was hanged—a fate rarely enjoyed. As for his mother, Edward effectively grounded her for life in a convent.

Having dealt with family drama, Edward III turned to a new pastime: war. And lots of it. In 1337, he decided that, thanks to a slightly dubious maternal claim, he ought to be king of France. Thus began the Hundred Years’ War—one of history’s longest and most confusing conflicts. It started off well for Edward, with major victories at Sluys (1340)—where he obliterated the French navy—and Crécy (1346)—where his longbowmen made short work of the French knights. He also took Calais (1347), which the English stubbornly held onto for over two centuries, mostly just to annoy the French.

Things were going so well that on April 23, 1348, Edward decided to reward his best knights with a new club: the Order of the Garter, an elite chivalric society whose main benefit seemed to be wearing elaborate outfits and feeling superior to everyone else.

Edward wasn’t all swords and sieges. He played a crucial role in shaping English governance, replacing French with English as the official language of government—something that probably thrilled exactly no one at the time, since early English was a grammatical labyrinth. He also had a flair for property development, overseeing the expansion of Windsor Castle and making it a proper royal residence rather than just a fortress.

One of his more questionable decisions was taking out a massive loan from Florentine bankers to fund his war efforts. When he inevitably failed to pay it back, the banks collapsed. This made Edward III one of history’s first kings to cause an international financial crisis—an accomplishment in itself.

Just as Edward was enjoying his military successes, the Black Death (1348-1350) arrived, wiping out roughly a third of his kingdom, including his beloved daughter Joan. This was understandably bad for morale. Things got worse when the French decided they’d rather not be ruled by the English after all. By 1369, they had retaken almost everything, and by 1375, the Treaty of Bruges left England with only Calais, Bordeaux, and Bayonne—a fraction of the original conquests.

Then, in 1376, Edward suffered his greatest personal loss: the death of his son, Edward the Black Prince. The grief seemed to break him. He began to deteriorate both mentally and physically, convinced that his misfortunes were punishment for his past sins (such as, perhaps, helping dethrone his own father).

By 1377, Edward III was a shadow of his former self, suffering from illness and bouts of paranoia. He died at Sheen (modern-day Richmond) on June 21, 1377, most likely of a stroke. 

Edward III left behind a transformed England: a military powerhouse, a government that spoke English, and an ongoing war that would last beyond his great-great-grandchildren. He was succeeded by his grandson, Richard II, because his heir, the Black Prince, had died too soon. While Edward’s later years were a bit of a mess, his legacy remains one of chivalry, conquest, and questionable financial planning. In other words, he was the ultimate medieval king.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Edward III was deeply influenced by the medieval concept of kingship, which blended divine right with chivalric ideals. He believed in the sanctity of monarchy and saw himself as the rightful ruler of both England and France. Although personally pious, he was also pragmatic, using religion to justify his wars and political decisions. He banished his mother, Isabella of France, to a convent, forcing her to become a Clarissan nun, demonstrating his belief in the necessity of moral and dynastic discipline.

POLITICS Edward III's political legacy was profound. He was the first English king since 1066 to speak English as his mother tongue, and he played a crucial role in replacing French with English in government and law. His reign saw the consolidation of Parliament as the supreme legislative body, strengthening its role in governance. His policies shaped England’s legal and political framework for centuries.

SCANDAL Edward’s early reign was marred by scandal due to his mother, Isabella of France, and her lover, Roger Mortimer. Although a regency council was supposed to rule on his behalf, real power rested with Isabella and Mortimer. Tensions escalated, and in a dramatic coup, Edward’s men stormed Mortimer’s chambers in Nottingham Castle. Mortimer was captured, dragged on an oxhide to Tyburn, and hanged on November 29, 1330. Edward then banished his mother from court, stripping her of her wealth and influence.

Later in life, Edward’s relationship with Alice Perrers, a former Lady of Honour to Queen Philippa, also caused scandal. She became his mistress at the age of 18 (he was 55) and uring the Queen's life, they had three children together. She dominated him in his final years, wielding considerable influence at court.

MILITARY RECORD Edward III was, in many ways, the ultimate medieval action hero—a king who spent most of his life either at war, preparing for war, or figuring out how to pay for war. He was, by all accounts, a formidable knight, though one suspects some artistic license was taken when it was claimed that his sword was so massive it took two ordinary men to lift it. A good bit of PR, if nothing else.

In 1330, at the age of 18, Edward pulled off an early career highlight—a palace coup. In a move that would make any thriller writer proud, he stormed into Nottingham Castle, captured Roger Mortimer (his mother’s lover and de facto ruler of England), had him hanged, and sent his mother into retirement. Edward was now well and truly in charge.

By 1333, he was flexing his military muscles in Scotland, defeating the Scots at the Battle of Halidon Hill and forcing King David II to flee to France for eight years—which, given the weather, might not have been the worst outcome for David.

Then, in 1337, Edward got ambitious. He claimed the French throne through his mother and, with supreme confidence, launched the Hundred Years' War—a conflict that would last not just through his reign but through the reigns of several of his less enthusiastic successors.

In 1340, he destroyed the French navy at the Battle of Sluys, gaining control of the seas. Unfortunately, he was also flat broke—a recurring theme in his life—so, unable to pay his troops, he reluctantly agreed to a truce.

The year 1346 was one for the history books. First, Edward’s wife, Philippa, personally raised an army and captured the unfortunate Scottish king, David II, at the Battle of Neville’s Cross. He remained in England as a guest—by which we mean a prisoner—until his death. Meanwhile, Edward himself was busy invading Normandy, marching towards Paris, and eventually fighting on August 26 the legendary Battle of Crécy.

Crécy was a masterclass in English military superiority—not least because the French got their crossbow strings wet in the rain and complained about bad light (which, as it turns out, was not a valid excuse in 1346 either). Edward’s longbowmen outmatched the French crossbowmen, and, for the first time in European warfare, the English deployed cannons, causing panic, destruction, and presumably a lot of very confused Frenchmen. The French suffered 11,500 casualties, the English barely 100. 

Battle of Crécy. From a illuminated manuscript of Jean Froissart's Chronicles

As if that wasn’t enough, Edward wrapped up the year by besieging Calais for an entire year until the starving townspeople surrendered. He was all set to execute the city’s leaders—the famous Burghers of Calais—but, after much pleading from his wife, he relented. (The burghers, it is said, were not thrilled at the close call, but at least they lived to eat again.) 

In 1360, however, Edward had a rather less triumphant moment. Besieging Paris during a bout of terrible weather, he lost men, horses, and, presumably, patience. It became known as Black Monday, which sounds like something medieval shoppers might have dreaded, but in reality, it just meant a really miserable day for the English army. Later that year, he signed the Treaty of Brétigny, giving up his claim to the French throne in exchange for a few key territories—including Calais, Aquitaine, and Gascony—which, given the alternative, wasn’t a bad deal.

By 1369, however, the French had regrouped and decided they wanted their land back. Thanks to the Black Death, England was in no position to resist, and before long, they had lost everything except Calais, Bordeaux, and Bayonne. In 1372, the French even defeated Edward’s navy at La Rochelle, which must have been a deeply unpleasant shock.

By 1375, the war had ground to a halt, and at the Truce of Bruges, England was left clinging to Calais and Gascony—not exactly the empire Edward had once envisioned.

Still, despite his fiscal incompetence, occasional tactical blunders, and the occasional meteorological disaster, Edward III left his mark—both on England and, more importantly, on France.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Edward III was known for his physical strength and skill in battle. As a young king, he was an accomplished knight, excelling in jousting and hand-to-hand combat. However, his later years were marked by illness and mental decline, possibly worsened by grief over the death of his son, the Black Prince. In his final months, he suffered from a severe abscess and later succumbed to a stroke.

HOMES Edward outgrew his accommodations at the Tower of London and expanded his residences to suit his court’s grandeur. He purchased a building near St. Andrew’s Church to store his courtiers’ elaborate robes. He also transformed Windsor Castle into a royal residence, employing William of Wykeham to oversee the work.

TRAVEL Edward traveled extensively across England and France during his military campaigns. His court was mobile, moving between castles and palaces as needed. His most significant foreign journeys were in pursuit of military conquest, including his campaigns in Scotland and France.

DEATH In his final years, Edward suffered from bouts of madness, which some attributed to guilt over his father’s deposition. His decline was accelerated by the loss of his beloved son, Edward the Black Prince, whom he believed had died as divine punishment.

On September 29, 1376, he fell ill with a large abscess. After a brief recovery in early 1377, he suffered a stroke and died at the Ancient Royal Manor of Sheen (now Kew) on June 21, 1377. His tomb in Westminster Abbey contains a wax effigy modeled from his dead body.

Edward III's funerary monument in Westminster Abbey

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Edward III of England has appeared in various forms of media, including literature, theater, television, and historical documentaries. While he is often overshadowed by his father, Edward II, and his grandson, Richard II, his military achievements and role in the Hundred Years' War have made him a compelling figure in historical storytelling.

1, Literature & Theater

Shakespeare’s Edward III: This Elizabethan play, believed to have been written by William Shakespeare (possibly with another collaborator), dramatizes Edward III’s military campaigns, particularly his claim to the French throne and his victories in the Hundred Years' War. The play also explores his chivalric nature and includes the famous story of his infatuation with the Countess of Salisbury.

The King’s Mistress (2005) by Emma Campion—A novel centered on Alice Perrers, Edward’s controversial mistress, offering a perspective on his later years.

The Shadow of the Tower (1965) by Juliet Dymoke—Focuses on Edward’s early reign, his struggle against Mortimer, and his military ambitions.

The Vows of the Peacock (1980) by Alice Walworth Graham—Explores Edward’s relationships with his family and his role in shaping England’s medieval history.

2. Television & Film

BBC’s The Shadow of the Tower (1972): Although primarily about Henry VII, this historical drama references Edward III as a key figure in England’s medieval past.

World Without End (2012, based on Ken Follett’s novel): This miniseries, a sequel to The Pillars of the Earth, is set during Edward III’s reign and depicts the impact of the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Death on English society.

Britain’s Bloodiest Dynasty: The Plantagenets (2014, Channel 5)—A four-part series by historian Dan Jones, covering Edward III’s reign and his military successes.

The Plantagenets (2014, BBC)—Discusses Edward’s role in shaping England’s medieval monarchy.

The Hundred Years’ War: The Road to Crécy (various productions)—Examines Edward’s military leadership and the significance of the Battle of Crécy.

3. Cultural Legacy  Edward III is often remembered in modern media as a quintessential medieval warrior-king. His founding of the Order of the Garter continues to be a prestigious British tradition, and his military strategies are studied in historical analyses. 

ACHIEVEMENTS

Strengthened Parliament and made English the language of government.

Led England to major victories in the Hundred Years’ War.

Established Windsor Castle as a primary royal residence.

Oversaw the chivalric revival, founding the Order of the Garter in 1348.

Expanded England’s influence in Europe before the later setbacks of war and plague.

Edward III’s reign was one of military brilliance, political reform, and cultural transformation. Despite his later decline, his legacy as one of England’s greatest warrior-kings remains undeniable.

Source (1) Erenow