Edward III

The illustrous Edward III. was one of the most influental Kings of his century. He was crowned at the age of fourteen and followed the trown of his father Edward II. who was murdered at Berkeley Castle. He was married to Philippa, a daughter of  William the Good, the Count of Hinault and Holland. Their eldest son who was born in 1330 would later eventually become known as the

"Black Prince" because of his dark armor. When Edward III. was eighteen years old he overthrew the lover of his mother who was at power, Roger Mortimer, with the help of his cousin Henry of Lancaster. After most of his french relatives had died and no male
heir could be found Edward III. tried to gain the french throne because of the raltions of his mother Isabella of France.

This conflict would eventually become known as "the hundred years war" 1337-1453. While he defeated the French at naval battles at Sluys on in 1340 and a siege of Calais, David II the successor of the famous scottish leader Robert the Bruce , attacked England. He was defeated at the Battle of Neville's Cross and later interned in the Tower of London .

Edward III was also the founder of the "Order of the Garter", the most famous order of chivalry. During his reign England was also struck by the burbonic plaguge which caused many casualties among the English population. He died 1377 in illness but survived his son. He was succeeded by Richard II. the eldest son of the Black Prince.