Edward III Biography

Birth of Edward III, son of Edward II & Isabella of France

Baptized in the old chapel of St Edward in Windsor Castle

Created Earl of Chester

A Treaty signed at Leake between Edward & the Barons restores Edward II to the throne

Provides a standing Council to advise King & Parliament to observe the "ordinances". A Treaty signed at Leake between Edward & the Barons restores Edward II to the throne

Created Duke of Gascony

Created Count of Ponthieu

Appointed Keeper of the Realm by the magnates

Edward III sails with Isabellas invasion fleet

Succeeds as King of England

Held at the Tower of London by Roger de Mortimer

Attends Edward IIs burial & builds an impressive baroque shrine where his father lies

Edwards sister Joan marries Robert the Bruces heir, David, at Berwick

Edwards sister Joan marries Robert the Bruces heir, David, at Berwick

Recognizes Robert the Bruce as King of Scotland

Placed under the dual control of a regency Council of Barons led by Henry of Lancaster

Succeeds as King of ngland, age 14 at his succession

Court is dominated by Roger de Mortimer while Edward is held at the Tower of London

Rules under a council dominated by Isabella and Roger Mortimer

Crowned King of England after the deposition of Edward II

Campaigns against Scottish forces during the final phase of the independence war

His minority government opens negotiations with Robert I's envoys

The Treaty of Edinburgh recognizes Scottish independence under Robert I

The Treaty of Northampton ratifies Scottish independence

The Treaty of Edinburgh recognizes Scottish independence under Robert I

The Treaty of Northampton ratifies Scottish independence

Edwards claim to the French throne is used to launch an attack

On the death of the French monarch Charles IV in 1328, Edward III of England was his closest male relative and legal successor. But a French court decreed that Charles closest relative was his first cousin, Philip, Count of Valois. Philip was crowned as Philip VI of France. Reluctantly, Edward paid homage to Philip in his role as the Duke of Aquitaine, which he had inherited, in 1329

On the death of the French monarch Charles IV in 1328, Edward III of England was his closest male relative and legal successor. But a French court decreed that Charles closest relative was his first cousin, Philip, Count of Valois. Philip was crowned as Philip VI of France. Reluctantly, Edward paid homage to Philip in his role as the Duke of Aquitaine, which he had inherited, in 1329

The English agree to return the Stone of Scone & surrender the Ragman Roll

Succeeds as King of England, full succession to the throne. Charles IV dies, Edward claims the French throne through his mother, Charles sister

Edwards claim to the French throne is used to launch an attack

The Treaty of Edinburgh recognizes Scottish independence under Robert I. The Treaty of Edinburgh is ratified in England by the Treaty of Northampton

The Treaty of Northampton ratifies Robert the Bruces Scottish throne & acknowledges Robert the Bruces victory in the Scottish War of Independence. The Treaty of Northampton provides for marriage between Edward's sister Joan & Bruces son David. The Treaty of Edinburgh is ratified in England by the Treaty of Northampton. The English agree to return the Stone of Scone & surrender the Ragman Roll

Marries Philippa of Hainault, daughter of William I Count of Hainault, in York Minster

Marries Philippa of Hainault in York Minster

Edward III marries Philippa of Hainault at York

Edward III's government agrees to recognize Scotland as an independent kingdom

Edward III's claim through his mother Isabella is not accepted in France

Parliament confirms the treaty ending war with Scotland

Treaty accepts the Anglo Scottish border as it stood under Alexander III

Edward's government abandons claims to overlordship of Scotland

The treaty formally ends the First War of Scottish Independence

English claims of overlordship over Scotland are abandoned by treaty

Edward's minority government accepts peace with Robert I

England recognizes Robert I and his heirs as rightful rulers of Scotland

England recognizes Scotland as a separate and independent kingdom

England recognizes Robert I and his heirs as kings of Scotland

Edward III's government recognizes Scotland as a free kingdom

Treaty terms include English agreement to return Scottish royal symbols

Treaty terms include an English promise to return the Stone of Scone

Ratifies the treaty recognizing Scottish independence and Robert I's kingship

English parliament ratifies the peace recognizing Scottish independence

English parliament ratifies the peace terms agreed at Edinburgh

Robert I dies, Edward Is free to support the House of Balliols against the Bruces

Pays homage to Philip at Amiens

Edward III inherits Aquitaine. Populated by Gascons with a culture and language separate from the French, the inhabitants of Aquitaine preferred their relationship with the English crown. However, France continued to interfere in the affairs of the Gascons in matters both of law and war

Edward III inherits Aquitaine. Populated by Gascons with a culture and language separate from the French, the inhabitants of Aquitaine preferred their relationship with the English crown. However, France continued to interfere in the affairs of the Gascons in matters both of law and war

Pays homage to Philip VI for English lands in France

Tries Thomas Berkeley for the assassination of Edward II but he is found innocent

Has Mortimer executed

Arrests Mortimer in the Queen Mothers Chamber Nottingham Castle

Seizes Roger Mortimer and begins personal rule

Keeps his mother, Isabella, imprisoned in Norfolk for the rest of her life

Edward III arrests his mother & keeps her at Castle Rising for the rest of her life

Takes the Government into his own hands & sends out writs summoning a new Parliament

Succeeds as King of England. Assumes personal rule & keeps his mother, Isabella, imprisoned in Norfolk

Has Roger Mortimer executed after the Nottingham coup

Removes Isabella from political power after taking control of government

Permits English support for Edward Balliol's invasion of Scotland

Captures Berwick-upon-Tweed in suppoprt of Edward Balliol

Appointed Lord Paramount of Scotland

Captures Berwick-upon-Tweed in suppoprt of Edward Balliol

The Scots capture Newcastle

Edward III begins operations against Berwick during the Scottish war

English forces tighten pressure on Berwick before the relief army arrives

Edward III prepares a northern campaign in support of Edward Balliol

Besieges Berwick in support of Edward Balliol

The king's government moves north for the Scottish campaign

Edward III strengthens Edward Balliol's restored kingship after Halidon Hill

Edward III uses Berwick to pressure Scotland after Halidon Hill

Edward III organizes English control after the capture of Berwick

The Scots lose 70 Lords including Earl Douglas & the Earl of Mar. Revenge for Edward IIs defeat at Bannockburn. One of the first uses of the English longbow. Defeats the Scots led by Archibald Douglas

Defeats the Scots outside Berwick using archers and defensive ground

Edward defeats Archibald Douglas and the Scottish army near Berwick

Edward takes a strong defensive position above Berwick

English archers help break the Scottish attack at Halidon Hill

Takes Berwick after victory at Halidon Hill

Berwick surrenders to Edward III after the defeat of the Scottish relief army

Philip VI of France offers to bring David II and his court to France for asylum, and in May they arrive in France, setting up a court-in-exile at Chateau-Gaillard in Normandy

Philippe VI says peace in Aquitaine must include peace in Scotland

Philippe VI announces that the English invasion of Scotland must stop

Edward III invades again in 1334, but he accomplishes little and retreats in February 1335 due to bad weather

Receives homage from Edward Balliol for claims in Scotland

Edward Balliol agrees to pay Edward III homage

A State of Emergency declared in face of imminent French invasion

Benedict XII saves the Crusade by getting England to agree a 6 month truce

Murray negotiates a truce with Edward until April 1336, during which time, various French and Papal emissaries attempt to negotiate a peace between the two countries

England & France unite for the Crusade after France has no need to ally with Scotland

A State of Emergency declared in face of imminent French invasion

Campaigns deep into Scotland with Edward Balliol

Following Edward's return to England, the remaining leaders of the Scots resistance choose Sir Andrew Murray as Guardian

Edward III and Edward Balliol return again in July with an army of 13,000, and advance through Scotland, first to Glasgow and then Perth, where Edward III installs himself

Edward III and Edward Balliol return again in July with an army of 13,000, and advance through Scotland, first to Glasgow and then Perth, where Edward III installs himself

Some Scots leaders, including the Earl of Atholl and the High Steward submit themselves to Edward III at Perth. Edward III and Edward Balliol return again in July with an army of 13,000, and advance through Scotland, first to Glasgow and then Perth, where Edward III installs himself

Returns from Scotland because of a threat of invasion by the French

The invasion is called off because of rumors of a French fleet sailing for Scotland

Destroys Perth's defences during renewed Scottish operations

Philip IV captures Gascony from Edward III

Edward III crosses to Antwerp & invades France beginning the Hundred Years war

The Bishop of Lincoln challenges "Philippe, who calls himself King of France"

Invites the Flemings to England who establish a cloth indistry

Invades the main ally of Scotland

Edward III crosses to Antwerp & invades France beginning the Hundred Years war

Revokes the oath of Amiens which recognized Philip VIs rule over Aquitaine

Raises a scutage to finance a professionally led army not manned by volunteers. Parliament raises taxes to 10th of all "movables" & a 15th of the value of all lands. Abbeys must sell their silver plate & towns must tax their traders & citizens

Philip confiscated the lands of Aquitaine in 1337, precipitating war between England and France. Edward III revokes the oath of Amiens which recognized Philip VIs rule over Aquitaine

Edward III crosses to Antwerp & invades France beginning the Hundred Years war

Creates the Duchy of Cornwall for his heir Edward of Woodstock

Philip VI's confiscation of Aquitaine helps trigger open war

Asserts his claim to the French crown against Philip VI

Casts doubt on the legitamacy of Philip of France & claims the throne for himself

Gains the support of the Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV in his claim to the French throne. Flemish weavers support Edward's claim to the French throne after a commercial Treaty

Edward III strengthens ties with Flemish towns whose textile economy depends heavily on English wool.

Flemish weavers support Edward's claim to the French throne after a commercial Treaty

Cancels the truce with France after the attack on Portsmouth & the Isle of Wight

Sails from Orwell to Antwerp then marches to Koblenz to join the German Allies

Secures support from the Holy Roman Emperor during the opening war phase

Receives imperial vicariate authority in the Low Countries

Proclaims himself King of England & France

Invades France for the 1st time, without success

Invades northern France with allied forces during the Cambrai campaign

Florentine bankers agree to finance Edward III

Edward III uses Flemish alliances to support his war against France.

Edward III relies on Flemish political and commercial support during the opening phase of the Hundred Years War.

French raid gains ground at St Helens before being repulsed

Philip VI invades the English fiefs South of the Loire

Edward led his army on a destructive chevauchee through Picardy, destroying hundreds of villages all the while shadowed by the French. Battle was given by neither side and Edward withdrew, bringing the campaign to an abrupt end

The cost of the war leads Edward III to sign a truce with Philip VI

Edward III allies himself with the Flemish towns

Publicly assumes the title King of France

Edward III declares himself as King of France

Claims the French throne from his mother who is heiress of her brother Charles IV. Assumes the title of King of France

Claims the French throne from his mother who is heiress of her brother Charles IV. Assumes the title of King of France

Wins a major naval victory over the French fleet

Wins a naval victory over the French fleet to transport his forces across to France

Edward III's naval victory at Sluys protects communications with allies in Flanders.

Besieges Tournai during the Low Countries campaign

Agrees a truce with Philip VI after the Tournai campaign

Edward returns to England

Returns to England after agreeing a truce with France

The Scots capture Newcastle

The Duke of Brittany dies leading to a war of succession. Edward III supports John de Montfort, Philip VI supports Charles de Blois

Supports John de Montfort in the Breton succession dispute

Sails to Brittany to support the Montfort cause

Philip supports Charles of Blois, Edward supports de Montfort

Accepts a truce in the French and Breton wars

Presided over by Pope Clement. Edward bids for Gascony but the conference ends without a settlement

The 2 year Dynastic War in Brittany ends in a truce

Sends Henry of Grosmont to lead English operations in Gascony

Renews offensive operations in France through Gascony Brittany and Flanders

Edward III sets sail from St Helens to invade Normandy

Edward III sets sail from St Helens to invade Normandy

Sets sail with 750 ships, 15,000 men including 9,000 archers, 4,000 infantry & 2,000 cavalry for a 2nd invasion

Lands with an army of men-at-arms & bowmen on the Conten Peninsula, Normandy

Lands at la Hogue after the siege of Aigullon, to relieve Gascony, Flanders & Brittany

Lands in Normandy at the start of the Crecy campaign

Captures and sacks Caen during the Normandy campaign

Captures Caen on the River Orne which blocks his way to Crecy

Finds a repairable bridge at Poissy near Paris & crosses it

The lower Seine bridges have been destroyed, Edward could be stranded

Philip destroys the Somme bridges but a ford is crossed & Edward retreats to Flanders

Forces a crossing of the Somme before the Battle of Crecy

An army of English, Welsh and allied troops from the Holy Roman Empire led by Edward III of England engaged and defeated a much larger army of French, Genoese and Majorcan troops led by Philip VI of France.

Defeats Philip VI in a major English victory

Edward III marches on Calais which surrenders & is used as a base for further attacks. 20,000 English bowmen & infantry defeat Philips army of 60,000.

Emboldened by the lessons of tactical flexibility and utilisation of terrain learned from the earlier Saxons and Vikings and the recent battles with the Scots, the English army won a decisive victory.

The battle crippled the French armys ability to come to the aid of Calais, which fell to the English the following year. Calais would remain under English rule for over two centuries, falling in 1558

The battle saw the rise as the dominant Western European battlefield weapon of the longbow, whose effects were devastating when used en masse. Crecy also saw the use by the English army of some very early cannon.

David II is taken prisoner at the Battle of Nevilles Cross

Edwards forces are in Calais

The Scots attack but are defeated by the Archbishop of York, de la Zouche. David II is taken prisoner

Begins the siege of Calais following victory at the Battle of Crecy

Begins the long siege of Calais after the victory at Crecy

Imprisoned in the Tower & ransomed for 10,000 pounds

Remains before Calais while northern England defeats David II at Neville's Cross

England captures Calais. It remains an English possession until 1558

Captures Calais after an eleven month siege

Spares the burghers of Calais after Philippa intercedes

Defeats Philip VI by biding time & overcoming superior forces, a truce is then signed. Calais falls after a year long siege

Signs a truce with Philip IV

Establishes the Knights of the Garter

Issues labour controls after plague mortality disrupts wages and service

The population of England is 1/2 of that in 1315

Between 14 and 26 Castilian ships were captured, and some were sunk, while 2 English vessels were sunk and many suffered heavy losses

Defeats a Castilian fleet in the Channel

Edward III and the Black Prince commanded 50 English ships against 44 larger Castilian and Genoese vessels commanded by Don Carlos de la Cerda.

The Battle of Les Espagnols sur Mer, also called the Battle of Winchelsea, was an English naval victory.

Restricts papal appointments to English church benefices

Deems Edward as "patron paramount" of the English Church against control by the Pope

Parliament confirms wage and service controls after the Black Death

Guy de Nesle, Marshal of France, is captured by the English & ransomed. Defeats a French army invading Gascony

Invades Scotland from the Tweed to the Forth. Called Burnt Candlemas because, the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin

Defines high treason in English law

The Treaty is not ratified because Edward III will not give up the French throne. Offered Poitou, Aquitaine, Anjou, Maine Touraine & Calais for the French throne

Birth of Thomas Woodstock son of Edward III & Philippa of Hainault

The Great Raid of 1355 in the Aquitaine'gLanguedoc region, which crippled southern France economically, and provoked resentment of the French throne among French peasantry. The raid also 'cushioned' the area for conquest, opened up alliances with neighbours in Aquitaine, the one with Charles II of Navarre being the most notable, and caused many regions to move towards autonomy from France, as France was not as united as England

Appoints Edward of Woodstock as lieutenant in Gascony

Edward the Black Prince is appointed Lieutenant in Gascony, he departs for Gascony to take up duties

Edward III captures Berwick & burns the countryside of Lothian

Burns the countryside of Lothian

Leads a destructive campaign in southern Scotland

A 2 year truce is signed at Bordeaux

Agrees terms for the release of David II for ransom

Edward III agrees to the release of David II for a ransom of 100,000 marks

Nobles break their promise to return land to England after Poitiers

Under the Treaty of Bretigny Edward gains sovereignty over Aquitaine

Under the Treaty of Bretigny Edward gains sovereignty over Calais

Under the Treaty of Bretigny Edward gains sovereignty over Ponthieu

Accepts enlarged English lands in France in return for renunciation terms

Edward renounces his claim to the French throne. Edward gives up Normandy & ransoms King John for 3 million gold crowns. Edward gains sovereignty over Calais, Aquitaine & Ponthieu

Makes peace with France at the Peace of Calais

Edward's government prepares to reassert claims as war with France resumes

After the nobles revolt in Gascony Edward reclaims the throne of France

After the nobles revolt in Gascony Edward reclaims the throne of France

Assumes title of King of France Edward refuses to appear at the court of Charles V

The French Fleet regains control of the west & north of France. The French fleet, helped by Castille, defeat an English fleet

Issues the charter making Bristol a county in its own right.

Bristol is granted County status

Grants Bristol county status separate from Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Under the Treaty of Bruge England is awarded Batonne

Under the Treaty of Bruges England retains Brest

Under the Treaty of Bruges England is awarded 3 forts in Brittany

Under the Treaty of Bruges England is awarded 3 forts in Brittany. England retains parts of Brittany under the Treaty of Bruges

Under the Treaty of Bruges England retains Calais

Under the Treaty of Bruges England retains parts of Gascony around Bordeaux

England and France agree a truce at Bruges during the Hundred Years War.

England retains Calais, parts of Gascony around Bordeaux & Batonne. England retains Brest & 3 forts in Brittany. A truce is made

Names Richard II as his successor

French plunder northern towns and & lay siege to Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight

French plunder northern towns and & lay siege to Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight

Death of Edward III, at Richmond Palace