Edward III: the story on HearLore

Edward III

Edward III was born at Windsor Castle on the 13th of November 1312, a child destined to be remembered as the boar that would come out of Windsor. His arrival marked a turning point in a reign defined by chaos, as his father, Edward II, had alienated nearly every noble in the kingdom through his reliance on unpopular favorites like Piers Gaveston and Hugh Despenser the Younger. The young prince was created Earl of Chester at just twelve days old, and by the following January, he was provided with a full household, signaling a shift in the political landscape. However, the stability of his early years was fragile, as his father's unpopularity grew to the point where even his own half-brothers seemed to care little for his fate. The situation deteriorated further when Edward II executed his cousin Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, and confiscated the Lancaster estates, leaving the nobility in a state of fear where no landholder felt safe. This atmosphere of distrust extended to Edward's mother, Isabella of France, who believed Despenser had poisoned her husband's mind against her. By 1325, the government had declared Isabella an enemy alien, repossessed her estates, and disbanded her retinue, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation that would reshape the English throne.

The Coup That Changed England

At the age of seventeen, Edward III executed a daring coup d'état against Roger Mortimer, the de facto ruler of England, and his own mother, Isabella of France. The young king had kept a low profile for years, but the execution of his uncle, Edmund, Earl of Kent, by Mortimer convinced him that his own life was in danger. Aided by his close companion William Montagu, 3rd Baron Montagu, and a small group of trusted men, Edward surprised Mortimer at Nottingham Castle on the 19th of October 1330. Mortimer was executed, and Edward's personal reign began, though he had received little instruction in the art of kingship. The historian Mark Ormrod noted that while Edward had received books on kingship, it was extremely doubtful that he read or comprehended them, as his reign was to be guided by practical rather than theoretical experience. This transition from a puppet monarch to a sovereign ruler was not merely a change of personnel but a fundamental shift in the balance of power. The coup allowed Edward to reclaim authority from a regime that had become increasingly unpopular due to the humiliating defeat by the Scots at the Battle of Stanhope Park and the subsequent Treaty of Edinburgh, Northampton. The event demonstrated Edward's ability to act decisively when necessary, setting the tone for a reign that would be defined by his personal agency and military ambition.

The War That Made a Nation

When was Edward III born and where did he arrive?

Edward III was born at Windsor Castle on the 13th of November 1312. His arrival marked a turning point in a reign defined by chaos as his father Edward II had alienated nearly every noble in the kingdom.

How did Edward III seize power from Roger Mortimer and his mother?

Edward III executed a daring coup d'état against Roger Mortimer and his mother Isabella of France on the 19th of October 1330. He surprised Mortimer at Nottingham Castle aided by William Montagu 3rd Baron Montagu and a small group of trusted men.

What caused the Hundred Years War between England and France?

Philip VI of France confiscated the English king's Duchy of Aquitaine and the county of Ponthieu in 1337 prompting Edward III to lay claim to the French crown. This decision ignited the Hundred Years War a conflict that transformed England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe.

How did the Black Death affect the economy and legislation during Edward III's reign?

The Black Death struck England in 1348 killing a third or more of the country's population and creating a severe labor shortage that reshaped the economy and society. In response the King and Parliament passed the Ordinance of Labourers in 1349 and the Statute of Labourers in 1351 attempting to fix wages at pre-plague levels.

What political changes occurred in Parliament during the later years of Edward III's rule?

The Good Parliament of 1376 saw the Commons for the first time precipitate a political crisis leading to the creation of the office of the Speaker and the procedure of impeachment. This period also saw the development of the Justices of the Peace who were given the power to investigate crimes make arrests and try cases.