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'''Edward III''' (1312-1377), [[King]] of [[England]] (1327-1377), came to the throne at the age of fourteen upon the murder of his father, [[Edward II]], but with real power in the corrupt hands of his mother, Isabella, and her lover, Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March.

'''Edward III''' (1312-1377), [[King]] of [[England]] (1327-1377), came to the throne at the age of fourteen upon the murder of his father, [[Edward II]], but with real power in the corrupt hands of his mother, Isabella, and her lover, Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March.

   

   

Edward wrested control in a night time coup in 1330, then hade Mortimer tried by Parliament and executed; and “retiring” his mother to comfortable obscurity. (She was to die in a convent in 1358.)

Edward wrested control in a night time coup in 1330, then had Mortimer tried by Parliament and executed; and “retiring” his mother to comfortable obscurity. (She was to die in a convent in 1358.)

His first notable act was to take advantage of a weakened Scotland following the death of [[Robert Bruce]] (1329).  He refused to honour the “shameful peace” organised by Isabella and Mortimer in 1328, supported the claims of Edward Balliol against the 5 year old David II, and in 1333 laid siege, to Berwick Castle. A relieving Scottish force was resoundingly defeated at Hallidon Hill near Berwick; but further campaigns achieved little, partly because of French support for the Scots – a state of affairs to be repeated many times in the stormy relationship between the two kingdoms up to as recently as the 18th century.

His first notable act was to take advantage of a weakened Scotland following the death of [[Robert Bruce]] (1329).  He refused to honour the “shameful peace” organised by Isabella and Mortimer in 1328, supported the claims of Edward Balliol against the 5 year old David II, and in 1333 laid siege, to Berwick Castle. A relieving Scottish force was resoundingly defeated at Hallidon Hill near Berwick; but further campaigns achieved little, partly because of French support for the Scots – a state of affairs to be repeated many times in the stormy relationship between the two kingdoms up to as recently as the 18th century.

The last few years before his death saw a decline in his health and ability to govern. Philippa died in 1369. Increasingly, power was wielded by a clique surrounding his mistress, Alice Perrers. (The “Good Parliament”(1376) organised by the king’s most powerful son, [[John of Gaunt]], Duke of Lancaster, impeached her, but she managed to return, and was with him at his death on 21st June 1377.

The last few years before his death saw a decline in his health and ability to govern. Philippa died in 1369. Increasingly, power was wielded by a clique surrounding his mistress, Alice Perrers. (The “Good Parliament”(1376) organised by the king’s most powerful son, [[John of Gaunt]], Duke of Lancaster, impeached her, but she managed to return, and was with him at his death on 21st June 1377.

He was succeeded by his nine year old grandson, [[Richard II]], the son of Edward, the Black Prince, who had died the previous year.

He was succeeded by his nine year old grandson, [[Richard II]], the son of Edward, the [[Black Prince]], who had died the previous year.