Edward was
crowned at the age of fifteen, following the deposition of his father. When he
was only seventeen years old, Edward III led a coup against the de facto
ruler of the country, his mother's consort Roger Mortimer, and began his
personal reign. After a successful campaign in Scotland in 1333, he declared
himself rightful heir to the French throne in 1337, starting what would become
known as the Hundred Years’ War. Following some initial setbacks, the war went
exceptionally well for England; the victories of Crecy and Poitiers led to the
highly favorable Treaty of Bretigny. Edward's later years, however, were marked
by international failure and domestic strife, largely as a result of his
inactivity and bad health. He died on June 21, 1377 at Sheen Palace from a
stroke and was buried at Westminster Abbey. He was succeeded to the throne by
his ten year old grandson Richard II, son of the Black Prince, who had died in
1376.
Michael Thomas
Barry’s newest book – Great Britain’s Royal Tombs: A Guide to the Lives &
Burial Places of British Monarchs can be purchased from Amazon or Barnes &
Noble through the following links –
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