EDWARD III

King of England, son of Edward II by Isabella of France, was born in 1312, died 21st June, 1377. On his father’s deposition in 1327 he was proclaimed king under a council of regency, while his mother’s lover, Mortimer, really po e ed the principal power in the State. The pride and oppre ion of Mortimer led to a general confederacy against him, and to his seizure and exeeution (10th Oct., 1330). Edward now turned his attention to Scotland, and, having levied a well-appoimted army, defeated the regent, Douglas, at Halidon Hill, in July, 1333. This victory produced the restoration of Edward Baliol, who was, however, again expelled, and again restored, until the ambition of the English king was diverted by the prospect of succeeding to the throne of France. Collecting an army and accompanied by the Black Prince, he cro ed over to France. The memorable battle of Crécy followed, 25th Aug., 1346, fox) EDWARD IV which was succeeded by the siege of Calais. In the meantime David IH, having recovered the throne of Scotland, invaded England with a large army, but was defeated and taken prisoner by amuch inferior force under Lord Percy. F In 1348 a truce was concluded with France; but on the death of King Philip, in 1350, Edward again invaded France, plundering and devastating. Recalled home by a Scottish inroad, he retaliated by carrying fire and sword from Berwick to Edinburgh. In the meantime the Black Prince had penetrated from Guienne to the heart of France, fought the famous battle of Poitiers, and taken King John prisoner. A truce was then made, at the expiration of which (1359) Edward again cro ed over to France and laid waste the provinces of Picardy and Champagne, but at length consented to a peace. This confirmed him in the po e ion of several provinces and districts of France which were entrusted to the Prince of Wales (the Black Prince), but gradually all the English po e ions in France, with the exception of Laatecon Bayonne and Calais, were ost.