Edward III

Edward III was King of England from 1327 to 1377. His reign lasted fifty years, making him one of the longest-reigning English kings. He became king at a young age after his father, Edward II of England, was forced to abdicate. Over time, Edward III rebuilt the strength of the crown and led England into major wars in France, beginning what later became known as the Hundred Years’ War.

Edward III was born in 1312 in Windsor Castle. When he became king at age fourteen, he did not yet rule by himself. His mother, Queen Isabella, and her ally, Roger Mortimer, controlled the government at first. A government is the group of people who make decisions and run a country. But when Edward III grew older, he took full control. He removed Mortimer from power and placed his mother in a more private role. These changes helped him show nobles that he intended to rule on his own.

As king, Edward III worked to restore royal authority. Authority means the right to make decisions and give orders. He improved parts of the legal system and strengthened Parliament’s role in approving taxes. Parliament is a group of representatives who meet to discuss laws and public matters. Edward’s cooperation with Parliament helped him gain support for large military campaigns.

Much of Edward III’s reign was shaped by war with France. The conflict began when Edward claimed that he had the right to the French throne through his mother’s family. A throne is the position of a king or queen. Major battles took place, including the Battle of Crécy in 1346 and the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. A battle is a fight between organized groups of soldiers. English forces often used longbowmen, or archers who used long bows, to defeat larger armies. These victories made Edward III well known across Europe.

During Edward’s rule, England also faced the Black Death, a deadly disease that reached the country in 1348. A disease is something that harms the health of people or animals. The Black Death caused many deaths and changed how people lived and worked. Even so, Edward continued his military efforts and supported trade, the movement of goods from place to place.

Edward III died in 1377, leaving the throne to his ten-year-old grandson, Richard II. His reign is remembered for military success, political recovery, and important changes in English society. Students study Edward III to understand how medieval kings used alliances, laws, and warfare to shape their kingdoms.