Status Updates From Edward III: The Perfect King

'...he had failed completely to reverse the tide of Scottish patriotism and had failed to press home his advantage after Halidon Hill.
'In his determination to confront the Scottish army he had concentrated wholly and exclusively one big battle. Although he had proved his leadership qualities during that battle, he had ignored the wider aspects of subduing a country, expecting that it would capitulate.'

'The diplomatic situation in France was stable but not to Edward's advantage. To paraphrase his mother's words, he had been forced to do homage to the son of a count. France was a sore in his mind.
Philip's name was becoming synonymous with all the virtues which Edward wanted associated with his own.'

'Edward III imagined his band of knights in a new way. If he was to be the new Arthur, then he too needed a band of close-knit, peerless Knights of the Round Table.'

'Absolute royalty in 1331 harked back to one figure above all others, King Arthur. The Arthurian legends had, for a numbe of years, offered various kings the model for a band of knights who were indomitable and who would win fame, love and virtue. Edward I in his old age had tried to create just such a band to wage war against the Scots; it had failed, partly due its size (more than 200 knights) ...'

'On 21 January, in the hall of Kenilworth Castle, dressed in black and weeping, Edward II abdicated. '

'He (Mortimer) sent a deputation to see Edward II. They gave him the news not only of of parliament's decision, but also the prince's reluctance to accept it. It was up to the king: either he could abdicate in favour of his son, or he could leave the throne to Mortimer. '

'Edward's refusal to accept the throne is the first sign that, even though only fourteen, he was not prepared to bend to Mortimer's will. But Mortimer was a formidable political opponent and far-sighted manipulator. While he could not be seen to cross Edward, especially now that Edward's candidacy for the throne had been approved by parliament, he soon came up with a solution.'

' The king had been forced to run, ignominiously, towards Wales, and then forced out to sea. This was distressing for Edward. Mortimer's political machinations, which had served so well to launch their return to the country, now threatened to destroy the very thing that Edward hoped would be saved for him: the authority of the Crown.'

'If ever there was an example of how devastating the loss of widespread support could be, it was the destruction of royal power in late September and early October 1326. To Edwards's dismay, the country simply jettisoned his father. All the long centuries of dignity, glory, authority, respect, chivalry and honour - everything which was sacred and powerful about royalty - was stripped away. '

'Medieval history is peppered with minor, almost unknown wars, whose unknown dead are not even commemorated by a recollection of the cause in which they fought, let alone a monument. Few today are familiar with the Despenser Wa mentioned above; not many more are familiar with the war of Saint-Sardos, which was the cause of the most important event to occur in the life of the young Edward of Windsor.'

'The cause of the problem was Hugh Despenser, a man to whom the king had entrusted much of his government: too much, perhaps Despenser's ability to tempt the king to give him whatever he wanted was infuriating for men like the earl of Hereford, Roger Mortimer and Roger Damory. Damory was Despenser's brother-in-law, but Despenser was not touched by family loyalty.'