Status Updates From Edward III: The Perfect King

Edward was probably the first English king who sat for his portrait, for in 1380 the king of France owned a painted likeness of Edward.

(I wonder how much of a 'likeness' was this as we understand now).

Edward to Eustace de Ribbemont: I present you with this chalet (of pearls), as being the best fighter today, either within our without doors, and I beg of you to wear it this year for love of me. I know you are lively and amorous, and love the company of ladies and damsels; therefore, say wherever you go, that I gave it to you.

ON St George's Day 1349, at the very height of the most horrific disease the kingdom had ever seen, Edward held a great tournament at Windsor during which he formally instituted his Order of twenty-six men who would joust and pray together once ayers, and conduct themselves everywhere like proud Arthurian knights.

The Black Death was more than just a disease, it arrival was arguably the single most important event in European history between the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and the Industrial Revolution.

On 11 October 1347 Ludwig of Bavaria died while out hunting bears, and the electors chose Edward to be his successor as Holy Roman Emperor... The real difference between Edward before and after Crécy lies in his response. He turned the offer down.

..Sir Walter, you will inform the governor of Calais that the only grace he must expect from me is that six of the principal citizens of Calais march out of the town with bare heads and bare feet, with ropes around their necks, and the keys to the town and castle in their hands.

Battle of Crécy.

The longbows won over the crossbows.

If Genoese pride had died in the air with the failing short of those first crossbow bolts, then English pride struck home hard and true with the first English volley. The Genoese were ripped to shreds: 'these arrows pierced their arms, heads and through their armour', said Froissart.

But his (Edward's) exhortation failed to restrain the substantial minority (??¿¿) who considered it their prerogative to loot the goods, rape the women, and gorge themselves on the fruits and soft cheeses of Normandy.

Was he really so poorly obeyed?

Edward participated in a tournament jousting for 3 days against 13 knights dressed up as the pope and 12 cardinals. No diplomatic niceties here: this was loud and clear political commentary, in which Edward was very clearly setting himself up as England's champion against the pope.

It is the irony that he (Edward III)--the great king of chivalry, the champion of the joust--was the man who more than any other medieval leader was responsible for the development of the gun, the instrument which ultimately led to the destruction of both chivalry and jousting.

.. it is much easier to give gifts to a mortal enemy knowing you have marked him down to die.

Unwanted rulers of major kingdoms were invariably killed, not deposed. This was not just because of a vicious streak in the medieval character, it was because removing power from a man ordained by God to wield it was a dangerous business.

Richad Bury in his Philobiblon: In books I find the dead as if they were alive, in books I foresee things to come. In books warlike affairs are set forth, from books come forth the laws of peace.

Pretty good so far although the biographer's bias is starting to wear a bit.

Slow going. The writing is dense. Seems pretty go so far though.