25th January 1327 – Edward III assumes crown of England
Edward III was proclaimed successor to his father, Edward II, by the Chancery on 24th January 1327, with his accession to be effective from the following day. Edward acceded to the throne as a result of disgruntlement of magnates and prelates. He had lost the confidence of the nobility and was accused of many failings, including that of abandoning the realm, by the Archbishop Reynolds of Canterbury.
Edward II was coerced into abdicate by a deputation that represented the Tbree Estates: the church, the nobles, the commons. He did so on the understanding that his son Edward would become king.
Edward III was still in his minority upon becoming King and so a council of four earls, four bishops and six barons was formed under the lesdership of the earl of Lancaster. The leadership of England was soon dominated by the kings mother, Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer, Baron of Wigmore (later the Earl of March).
Edward’s coronation was held very quickly, taking place on 1st February of the same year (Source: Close Rolls, some websites state other,earlier, dates). The speed of the coronation would placate not only the nobility and bishops but also make the change of regime very clear to the citizens of London who had also become disillusioned with the governance of Edward II.
The seeds for the Hundred Years War were sown very early in Edward IIIs reign. The King of France, Charles IV, died on 31st January 1328 without a direct male heir. The throne was taken quickly by the cousin of Charles, Philippe de Valois. Edward III had a claim to the French throne himself. It was an issue that would be used as the justification of war against the incumbent Kings of France from 1337 to 1453 and a claim that English monarchs maintained for years afterwards.
Links
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography – Edward III.
The Royal Family – Edward III
