Edward III of England

Edward III (13 November 1312 – 21 June 1377) was one of the most successful English kings of medieval times. His fifty-year reign began when his father Edward II of England was deposed on 25 January 1327, and lasted until 1377. Among his immediate predecessors, only Henry III ruled as long, and it would be over 400 years before another monarch would occupy the throne for that duration. Edward's reign was marked by an expansion of English territory through wars in Scotland and France. Edward's parentage and his prodigious offspring provided the basis for two lengthy and significant events in British and European history, the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of the Roses, respectively.

Early life

Edward, the son of Edward II of England and Isabella of France, daughter of King Philip the Fair, was born in 1312 at Windsor Castle. In 1320, he was created Earl of Chester. In 1325, his father ceded the Duchy of Aquitaine to him, and the young Edward was sent to France along with his mother to meet his uncle, the French King Charles IV.

Related Topics:
Edward II of England - Isabella of France - Philip the Fair - 1312 - Windsor Castle - 1320 - Earl of Chester - 1325 - Duchy of Aquitaine - Charles IV

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Upon their return from France, the powerful Queen and her lover, Roger Mortimer, forced the weak and unpopular Edward II to abdicate, installing Edward III as king in 1327.

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Edward II was subsequently murdered, and Isabella and Roger Mortimer effectively ruled England during the young king's first few years on the throne.

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