Edward III (jan 25, 1327 – jun 21, 1377)

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son of Edward II and Isabella of France. Crowned at age fourteen after his father was deposed by his mother and her lover Roger Mortimer. At 17 he led a successful coup d'état against Mortimer, the de facto ruler of the country, and began his personal reign. After a successful campaign in Scotland he declared himself rightful heir to the French throne in 1337. This started what became known as the Hundred Years' War. Following some initial setbacks the war went exceptionally well for England; victories at Crécy (1346) and Poitiers (1356) led to the highly favourable Treaty of Brétigny, in which England made territorial gains, and Edward renounced his claim to the French throne. Edward's later years were marked by international failure and domestic strife, largely as a result of his inactivity and poor health. He transformed the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe. His long reign of 50 years was the second longest in medieval England and saw vital developments in legislation and government, in particular the evolution of the English parliament, as well as the ravages of the Black Death. He was devoted to his wife Philippa of Hainault, and the Wars of the Roses were fought between the descendants of his sons: the Black Prince (Richard II), Clarence (Mortimer/March), Lancaster (Henry IV and Beauforts/Tudors), York, and Gloucester (Buckingham).

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