Skip to content

Edward III

Edward III ruled England from 25 January 1327 to 21 June 1377. His reign saw the outbreak of the Hundred Years War, the Black Death and major changes in England’s political, military and economic life.

Edward claimed the French throne and adopted the title King of France in 1340. His reign included the naval victory at Sluys, the campaign of 1346, the Battle of Crécy and the capture of Calais. The war with France was also closely connected with England’s continuing conflict with Scotland and with Edward’s relationships with allies and territories across western Europe.

Edward III counting the dead at Crecy. From Froissart's Chronicle
Jean Froissart, Chroniques (Vol. I): Edward III counting the dead on the battlefield of Crécy Place of origin, date: Paris, Virgil Master (illuminator); c. 1410

Edward III and the Hundred Years War

Accession and the Early Years of Edward III

Edward III’s Claim to the French Throne

The succession crisis following the death of Charles IV of France provided the basis for Edward III’s claim to the French crown. His claim became closely connected with wider disputes between England and France and contributed to the outbreak of war in 1337.

Preparing for War

Edward III faced considerable practical problems in preparing for war. Raising armies, financing campaigns, securing allies and maintaining naval forces all placed heavy demands on the English crown.

Edward III’s Major Victories

The first major phase of Edward III’s war produced a series of important English victories. Naval success at Sluys was followed by the campaign of 1346, the crossing of the Somme, the Battle of Crécy and the capture of Calais.

Burghers of Calais submitting to Edward III
Ms 6 f.218 The Burghers of Calais submitting to Edward III, 1347, from ‘St. Alban’s Chronicle’

Edward III, Scotland and the Wider War

The war with France was closely connected with England’s conflict with Scotland. French support for the Scottish monarchy created another front for Edward III, while England’s alliances in Flanders and elsewhere extended the conflict beyond the principal Anglo-French theatres.

Edward III and the Black Prince

Edward III increasingly relied on his sons and other leading commanders to conduct campaigns on his behalf. His eldest surviving son, Edward the Black Prince, became one of the most important English commanders of the Hundred Years War.

The Treaty of Brétigny

Military success eventually led to negotiations with France. The Treaty of Brétigny in 1360 brought a major change to Edward III’s claims and the territories held by England, although the settlement did not produce a lasting end to the conflict.

The Later Years of Edward III

The later years of Edward III’s reign saw changes in the balance of the war and increasing pressure on the English monarchy. The Black Prince’s declining health and the recovery of French territory altered the position established by the victories of the 1340s and 1350s.

Edward III and the Black Death

The Black Death was one of the defining domestic events of Edward III’s reign. The epidemic had profound demographic and economic consequences, while the government attempted to respond to labour shortages and changing wages.

The Statute of Labourers was issued in 1349 in response to the economic consequences of the plague. It stated:

“Because a great part of the people and especially of the workmen and servants has now died in that pestilence…”

The statute attempted to regulate wages and labour at a time when the shortage of workers was placing pressure on employers.

Source Material on Edward III

The surviving records and contemporary or near-contemporary accounts provide evidence for Edward III’s policies, ambitions and understanding of the wars of his reign.

Edward III and Scotland

In 1328, in Letters Patent referring to the Kingdom of Scotland, Edward III accepted that Scotland should remain separate from England:

“We will and concede for us and all our heirs and successors… that the Kingdom of Scotland, shall remain for ever separate in all respects from the Kingdom of England…”

Edward III and Control of the Sea

As tension mounted with France, Edward III wrote to his admirals about the importance of English control of the sea:

“…our progenitors, the kings of England, have before these times been lords of the English sea on every side…”

Edward III and Taking the War to France

Edward III is quoted by Ian Mortimer as explaining why England should fight its enemies on the continent rather than wait for war to reach England:

“According to the Theory of War, which teaches that the best way to avoid the inconvenience of war is to pursue it away from your own country…”

Quoted in Ian Mortimer, The Perfect King.

Edward III Before the Battle of Sluys

The French Chronicle of London records a speech attributed to Edward III before the Battle of Sluys in 1340:

“Good lords and my brothers, do not at all be dismayed, but be entirely of good comfort…”

Edward III Takes the Title King of France

After taking the title King of France in 1340, Edward issued a proclamation offering peace and protection to those in France who accepted his authority:

“…we benignly wish that all and each of the natives of the kingdom who will subject themselves willingly to us, as the true King of France…”

Quoted in A. R. Myers (ed.), English Historical Documents, 1327–1485.

The Crossing at Blanchetaque

Richard Wynkeley, Edward III’s confessor, described the crossing of the River Somme at Blanchetaque during the Crécy campaign:

“…our lord the king was unable to find a way across except in the tidal reach between Crotoy and Abbeville…”

Edward III’s Legacy

Edward III’s reign established many of the political and military patterns that shaped the later Hundred Years War. His claim to the French throne, the victories of the 1340s and the development of English military power became central features of the conflict.

The surviving source material also provides an opportunity to examine Edward III through the words attributed to him and the records produced during his reign.

Further Reading