The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbrook records the birth “die sancti Bricii confessoris apud Wyndesore” 1312 of “ex Isabella regina...tercius Edwardus”. The Continuatio of the Chronicle of Guillaume de Nangis records the birth "circa Natale Domini" in 1312 of "Eduardo regi Angliæ ex conjuge Izabella...filius...Eduardus". He was created Earl of Chester 24 Nov 1312. Created Comte de Ponthieu et de Montreuil 2 Sep 1325, and Duke of Aquitaine 10 Sep 1325. Elected Keeper of the Realm at an extraordinary council held in Bristol 26 Oct 1326, after his father fled to Wales.
He was proclaimed EDWARD III King of England 25 Jan 1327, under the joint regency of his mother and her lover Roger Mortimer Earl of March. Crowned 1 Feb 1327 at Westminster Abbey: the Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbrook records the coronation 1 Feb, 1327 from the context, “apud Westmonasterium” of “Edwardum Edwardi primogenitum quindecim circiter annorum adolescentem”. He overthrew the regents 20 Oct 1330 and assumed personal rule. He formally assumed the title King of France Jan 1340. As a mark of his love of chivalry, he founded the Order of the Garter in 1348. His reign was marked by a successful constitutional balance and the maintenance of generally good relations with the barons.
A contemporary memorandum records the death 21 Jun 1377 “in manerio suo de Shene” of “dominus Edwardus [rege Angliæ et Franciæ]”. The Annals of Bermondsey record the death “1377…21 Jun” of “rex Edwardus tertius” and his burial “apud Westmonasterium”.
Betrothed [1320] to Marguerite de Hainaut, daughter of Guillaume III "le Bon" Comte de Hainaut [Willem III Count of Holland] & his wife Jeanne de Valois... King Edward II requested papal dispensation for the marriage between “Edwardum filium nostrum primogenitum” and “Margaretam filiam...domini W. Hanoniæ, Holandiæ et Selandiæ comitis ac domini Frisiæ” by charter dated 5 Nov 1320. King Edward II wrote to “domino W, Hanoniæ, Hollandiæ et Selandiæ comiti ac domino Frisiæ” requesting his intervention with papal representatives concerning the marriage (“super contrahendo matrimonio”) between “Edwardum filium nostrum primogenitum” and “--- filiam vestram” by charter dated 30 Mar 1321. It is uncertain whether a betrothal was agreed following negotiations for this proposed marriage. 2
---------------------------------
Edward assumed effective power in 1330 after imprisoning his mother and executing her lover Roger de Mortimer who had murdered his father; therafter his reign was dominated by military adventures. His victory in Scotland, especially at Haildon Hill 1333 encouraged him to plan (1363) the union of England and Scotland. Through his mother he claimed the French throne thus starting (1337) the Hundred years war....
He organised a professional army including trained long bow archers. In 1340 the English Navy beat the French thus winning control of the Channel and in 1346 he sailed with his son the Black Prince to start the 100 Years War in France.On Monday evening the 26th August 1346 he fought a French army three times the size of his at Crecy and the battle raged through the night into the next day. The French were annihilated and Edward followed this by laying siege to Calais and taking the town within 12 months. Gunpowder was used for the first time in this campaign but the real winner was the English long bow. At home, the Black Death raged and about 500,000 people died in England. On 19th Sept 1356 the Black Prince and his brother John of Gaunt slaughtered a French army twice their size at Poitiers. Under Edward, the House of Commons was developed as a means of raising taxes. The first Bible in English was compiled by Wyclif and it is likely that the oldest surviving working clock was installed at Salisbury Cathedral. 3
---------------------------------
The Will of King Edward III, written 7 Oct 1376, proved 25 Jun 1377.
In the name &c. We, Edward, by the grace of God, who holds the sceptres of the Kingdoms of England and France, according to the customs of our ancestors, Kings of England, we appoint our royal burial to be in the Church of St. Peter of Westminster. We bequeath &c. to found masses for our soul, and the soul of Philippa, our dear consort, late Queen of England. We give to our future heir Richard, son of Edward Prince of Wales, our eldest son, an entire bed, marked with the arms of France and England, now in our palace at Westminster. To Johanna, late wife of the aforesaid Edward, our eldest son, one thousand marks. To our dear daughter Isabel, Countess of Bedford, for her support, and that of her daughter, three hundred marks per annum, arising from the lands of the son and heir of the Earl of Oxford, lately deceased, which Thomas Tirell, Knt. holds from us, so long as the said heir shall be under age. We appoint executors of this our will, our son John, King of Castile and Leon and Duke of Lancaster; John Bishop of Lincoln; Henry Bishop of Worcester; John Bishop of Hereford; and our dear and faithful Knights William Lord Latimer; John Knyvet, Chancellor; Robert de Ashton, Treasurer; Roger de Beauchamp, Chamberlain; John de Ipres, Steward; and Nicholas de Caren, Keeper of the Privy Seal. We also appoint supervisors of this our will the Reverend Fathers in Christ Simon Archbishop of Canterbury, and Alexander Archbishop of York. Given, written, and ordained in our royal manor of Haveryngge atte Bower the 7th of October, 1376, and of our reign in England the 50th, and of our reign in France the 37th, in the presence of our trusty and beloved John de Burleye, Richard Sturreie, and Philip de Vache, Knights; William Strete, Comptroller of our Houshold; John de Beverlye; Walter and John de Salisbury, Esquires of our Chamber; and many others, with Walter de Skirlawe, Doctor of the Canon Law. Proved before Simon Archbishop of Canterbury, at Lambeth, 25th June 1377. 4
Edward was generally known as "Edward of Windsor."