Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A King of England: Edward III refers to a specific historical monarch, the son of King Edward II, who reigned as King of England from 1327 until his death in 1377. His reign is historically significant for the beginning of the Hundred Years' War with France and major developments in English government and society.

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun:
  • Edward III ascended to the throne at the age of fourteen.
  • The military campaigns of Edward III were central to the early phases of the Hundred Years' War.
  • Historians study the reign of Edward III to understand the evolution of Parliament.

Advanced Usage

• "The reign of Edward III": This phrase is used to denote the period of his rule and its associated events.

  • The reign of Edward III saw the devastating arrival of the Black Death in England.

• "Edward III of England": The full title used to specify this monarch, distinguishing him from other historical figures named Edward.

  • Edward III of England claimed the French throne, which led to prolonged conflict.

Variants and Related Words

• Plantagenet: (n) The name of the royal house to which Edward III belonged.

  • The Plantagenet dynasty included several notable English kings.

• Hundred Years' War: (n) The long series of conflicts between England and France that began during Edward III's reign.

  • Edward III's territorial ambitions were a primary cause of the Hundred Years' War.

Synonyms

• The King: A general term, but contextually specific when referring to this period.
• The Monarch: A formal synonym for a reigning king or queen.

Related Phrases

• To claim the French throne: A phrase directly associated with Edward III's foreign policy.

  • Edward III's decision to claim the French throne had enormous historical consequences.

• The Order of the Garter: A chivalric order founded by Edward III.

  • Edward III established the Order of the Garter, which remains the oldest and most senior British order of chivalry.

Noun

1. son of Edward II and King of England from 1327-1377; his claim to the French throne provoked the Hundred Years' War; his reign was marked by an epidemic of the Black Plague and by the emergence of the House of Commons as the powerful arm of British Parliament (1312-1377)