Edward III of England

Windsor Castle served as the birthplace for Edward III on 13 November 1312, marking the start of a life that would define the political landscape of the Kingdom of England. He assumed the throne in 1327 at age fourteen, following the forced deposition of his father, Edward II, by his mother, Isabella of France.

Ascension and Rule

After the removal of Edward II, the young monarch operated under the de facto control of Isabella and her ally, Roger Mortimer. By age seventeen, Edward asserted his authority through a successful coup d'état against Mortimer. As sovereign, he reigned for five decades, during which he held the titles of Lord of Ireland and monarch of England from 1327 until his death in 1377.

THE FREE TEST

How high is yours?

Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.

Take the IQ test →

Military Expansion and the Hundred Years' War

Edward transformed England into a significant military power by initiating the Hundred Years' War in 1337. Following campaigns in Scotland, he pressed claims to the French throne. This conflict, known as the Edwardian War, included notable victories at Crécy and Poitiers. These successes led to the 1360 Treaty of Brétigny, which provided England with territorial gains and prompted Edward to renounce his claim to the French crown.

Domestic Governance and Final Years

His tenure saw substantial developments in government legislation and the evolution of the English Parliament. In 1348, he established the Order of the Garter, becoming a member and receiving the award of Knight of the Garter. Later years were marked by failing health and diminished political control, which resulted in the loss of many previous conquests by 1375. He died in 1377 at Richmond Palace and is buried at Westminster Abbey.