King Edward

Also known as: Edward / Edward III / King Edward III / King Edward of England / King Edward the Third / the young King Edward · Family: England · Role: king · First appears: Book 1, Chapter 2

King Edward was the son of King Edward the Second and Queen Isabella. In 1326, he was crowned king at Westminster. As a child he left for France with his mother and the Earl of Kent, landed at Boulogne, and was received in Paris by King Charles, who provided them with apartments and supplies. In 1327, Edward and his mother governed with counsel from Earl of Kent, Sir Roger Mortimer, Sir Thomas Wager and others. Facing a challenge from Robert, King of Scotland, he summoned his nobles to York and sought the aid of Sir John de Hainault. He later married the daughter of the Count of Hainault and Holland by procuration; a three-year truce with Robert Bruce was agreed soon after.

Edward’s campaigns took him across the continent. In 1340, the English defeated the Norman fleet at Sluys, while Jacob von Artaveld publicly explained Edward’s claim to the French crown. Edward assembled forces with allies to lay siege to Tournay, and later received the emperor’s appointment as vicar and lieutenant. In 1346, he left Queen Philippa in the care of Earl of Kent, appointed lieutenants for the north, and—after changing his destination on Sir Godfrey de Harcourt’s advice—sailed for Normandy. There he led his army through the region, and at Crécy declared, “I am resolved to defend it against my adversary Philip de Valois.”

At Crécy, Edward organized his army into three battalions, placing the Prince of Wales in command of the first and leading the third himself. After the battle, he embraced his son and praised him: “You are worthy to be a sovereign.” Edward later established the order of the blue garter and founded a chapel at Windsor in honor of St. George. At Calais, he appointed Sir Walter Manny to lead an enterprise, saying, “I and my son will fight under your banner.” He also granted Lord Eustace de Ribeaumont his freedom without ransom after the knight surrendered.