Edward III

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Edward III (1312-77) King of England (1327-77)

The elder son of Edward II and Isabella of France. He was only 14 years old when he came to the throne. In 1328 he married Philippa of Hainault. The first of their twelve children, Edward the Black Prince, was born in 1330. In the same year Edward banished his mother Isabella and had her lover, Roger Mortimer, executed. Together with Edward Balliol he defeated David I of Scotland at Halidon Hill in 1333. By renewing his claim to French throne he contributed to the outbreak of the Hundred Years War in 1337. Glorious victories against the French at Sluys (1340) and Crécy (1346) and against David II at Neville's Cross won him lasting fame. Edward indulged in ceremonies of chivalry creating the Order of he Garter in 1348. The second half of his reign was overshadowed by continuous shortage of money and political opposition against his mistress, Alice Perrers, and his son, John of Gaunt.

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