Edward III of England reigned as king from 1327 to 1377. Succeeding his father Edward II of England (r. 1307-1327) following his enforced abdication and then murder, Edward III would take revenge on his father's enemies, who included the young king's own mother Isabella of France, and go on to reign for 50 years. The king reunified the troublesome English barons, extended Windsor Castle, established a new era of medieval chivalry, and embarked on the Hundred Years' War with France (1337-1453) to force his claim to the French throne. English territory in France was greatly expanded, but the war took a heavy financial toll on the kingdom, a situation only worsened by the arrival of the Black Death in 1348. The king suffered two dreadful blows towards the end of his reign when his gains in France were lost and his son Edward of Woodstock (1330-1376), aka Edward the Black Prince, died prematurely. Consequently, when Edward III died of a stroke in June 1377, he was succeeded by his grandson, Richard II of England (r. 1377-1399).
More about: Edward III of EnglandDefinition
Timeline
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13 Nov 1312Prince Edward, future Edward III of England, is born.
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1327 - 1377Reign of Edward III of England.
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24 Jan 1327Edward II of England is obliged to abdicate by his wife Isabella of France and her lover Roger Mortimer.
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1 Feb 1327Edward III of England is crowned in Westminster Abbey.
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21 Sep 1327Edward II of England is murdered at Berkeley Castle.
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1328The English Crown recognises the independence of Scotland in the Treaty of Edinburgh/Northampton.
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24 Jan 1328Edward III of England marries Philippa of Hainault.
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15 Jun 1330Edward the Black Prince, eldest son of Edward III of England, is born.
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29 Nov 1330Edward III of England executes his former regent Roger Mortimer.
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19 Jul 1333Edward III of England wins a victory against the Scots loyal to David II of Scotland at the Battle of Halidon Hill.
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1335The English regain control of Stirling Castle.
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1337 - 1453The Hundred Years' War between England and France.
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Mar 1337Edward the Black Prince is made the Duke of Cornwall giving him significant revenues from the duchy.
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Jun 1340An English fleet of Edward III of England destroys or captures a French fleet at Sluys.
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1342The Scots regain control of Stirling Castle after a six-month siege.
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1343Edward of Woodstock, aka Edward the Black Prince, is made the Prince of Wales by his father Edward III of England.
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1344Windsor Castle hosts a great medieval tournament involving 200 knights.
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1345An army led by the Earl of Derby recaptures Gascony for the English Crown.
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Jul 1346Edward III of England invades Normandy.
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12 Jul 1346Edward the Black Prince is knighted by his father Edward III of England.
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26 Aug 1346Edward III of England and his son Edward the Black Prince win a great battle against Philip VI of France at Crécy in France.
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Oct 1346David II of Scotland, ally of Philip VI of France, invades northern England.
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17 Oct 1346An English army defeats the Scots at the Battle of Neville’s Cross near Durham and captures David II of Scotland.
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Jul 1347Edward III of England and his son Edward the Black Prince capture the Fench city of Calais after a long siege.
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c. 1348Edward III of England creates the Order of the Garter, a chivalric order for knights with its headquarters at Windsor Castle
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1348The Black Death plague arrives in England.
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19 Sep 1356Edward the Black Prince wins a great victory at the Battle of Poitiers against the French. John II of France is captured.
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Oct 1357 - Nov 1357The Treaty of Berwick between England and Scotland releases David II of Scotland from his captivity under Edward III of England.
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1359Edward III of England and Edward the Black Prince march on Rheims but the French city holds out.
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May 1360The Treaty of Brétigny between England and France recognises Edward III of England's claims to French lands as he renounces his claim to the French throne.
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1362Edward the Black Prince is made the Prince of Aquitaine by his father Edward III of England.
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1367 - 1370King Edward III of England begins a massive rebuilding project at Rochester Castle.
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3 Apr 1367Edward the Black Prince famously wins the Battle of Najera in Castile.
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15 Aug 1369Queen Philippa, wife of Edward III of England dies.
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1372 - 1375Charles V of France recaptures most of the territory previously gained by Edward III of England leaving the English only Gascony and Calais.
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Apr 1376The 'Good Parliament' is convened to reduce the corruption in Edward III of England's court.
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8 Jun 1376Death of Edward the Black Prince, eldest son of Edward III of England.
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21 Jun 1377Death, likely from a stroke, of Edward III of England.
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16 Jul 1377Coronation of Richard II of England in Westminster Abbey.
