Reigned 1327–1377.

Son of Edward II. First claimed the crown of France. Won the battles of Cressy (1346) and Poitiers (1356), and took Calais. Great part of France made over to the (Black) Prince of Wales. First Speaker of House of Commons (1376), and great development of the Commons’ privileges. Edward III. reigned half a century, and was one of the wisest, ablest, and most useful of the English kings.