King Edward III, the son of King Edward II and Queen Isabella, was crowned soon after his unpopular father was deposed. Government was dominated by his mother and Le Mortimer, First Earl of March, (thought to be her lover) until the King was able to expel them at the age of seventeen. This is depicted above. Queen Isabella is on the right, begging her son, the King for mercy on behalf of Mortimer. This plea fell on deaf ears as he was put to death straightaway. The relationship between mother and son eventually was healed and Isabella lived well into her 60's well beloved by her son, King Edward III, his wife and their many children.
Queen Philippa of Hainault, consort of Edward III (1314-1369)
Philippa was born in Valenciennes (then in Flanders, now France) and was the daughter of William I, Count of Hainaut and Jeanne of Valois, the granddaughter of King Philip III of France. Theirs was a happy marriage that produced 14 children.
Like his predecessors, Edward continued to militarily interfere in Scottish politics; but he was really more interested in the Continent. Through his mother, he claimed to be heir to the French throne and so began the ‘Hundred Years War’. Chivalry reached its height at this time, with the founding of the Order of the Garter. With the help of his son, the Black Prince, Edward won many victorious battles, such as Crécy and Poitiers. These led to King John of France joining the King of Scots as Edward’s prisoner, but were, ultimately, unsuccessful in their aims. Trade prospered during Edward’s reign but life throughout the country was devastated by the Black Death.
King Edward III with his firstborn son, Edward, Prince of Wales
Better known as "The Black Prince" (1330 - 1376)
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