King Edward III – The later years!
‘1357, a year for Edward which began so fine, in fact, almost divine!
Then came the unfortunate years, which for the king marked a decline, so sad a decline!’
It was certainly ‘Happy New Year’ in January 1356. Edward was in the highly unusual, and greatly fortunate position of having two of his royal enemies in captivity. John, King of France, was ensconced in wonderfully salubrious surroundings at the Savoy Palace, whilst David II of Scotland was detained in rather less elegant, but nevertheless, eminently comfortable quarters at the Tower of London. A very hefty ransom secured David’s release in 1357, whilst the French refused Edward’s price for the safe return of John II.
King John II of France
‘Oh dear King Edward, you have captured our king and without him we are truly lost!
However, your price for his return is a terrible, indeed, totally unacceptable cost!’
Edward invaded France in 1359 with a view to being crowned King of France at Rheims. He proceeded to besiege the city, but met with stiff resistance.
Edward besieges the city of Rheims in 1359.
‘My greatest desire in my most sincere of dreams!
Is to be crowned King of France at the cathedral in Rheims!’
However, Edward, despite his efforts, was unable to advance his claims to the French throne and his siege of Rheims was unsuccessful.
With a sense of great disappointment, he contented himself with devastating northern France and plundering the region of anything and everything of value. In a dismal frame of mind, he gathered his compensatory prize of plunder and retreated back towards the coast. In 1360, Edward and the king of France agreed the Treaty of Breginy by which in return for renouncing his claim to the French throne, Edward would be granted full sovereignty over Calais, Gascony, Guienne and Poitou. Edward, the Black Prince, would rule the territories which collectively made up Aquitaine as sovereign lord for his aging father.
Edward III awarding the duchy of Aquitaine to the Black Prince in 1362.
‘It was not a case of like father, like son!
The Black Prince’s actions now rendered his father’s gains as effectively undone!’
The Black Prince proved to be a somewhat unwise ruler, who greatly antagonised the people with crushing taxes. He had carried out an expensive military incursion into Spain in 1369 and this, combined with a taste for the high life, proved to be an enormous drain on his coffers. So as far as the Black Prince was concerned, the people of Aquitaine could pick up the bill for his extravagance.
‘I love the sights and sounds of a major battle!
Afterwards, I relax at great banquets, enjoying the merry tittle tattle!
For I am a great warrior prince, the famous, indeed infamous, Black Prince!
Of course my actions incur great expense, and of its justification to others, I have no desire to convince!’
These poor decisions drove the nobles of Aquitaine into asking King Charles V of France, who had ascended the throne in 1364, for help.
The coronation of Charles V, King of France.
King Charles requested that the Black Prince come to Paris to explain himself. His reply was somewhat less than diplomatic.
‘Yes, I will come to see you, but only with an army of 60,000 men strong!
Then you may inform me of what I am doing that is so very wrong!’
Realising that the Black Prince was highly unpopular with the people of Aquitaine, Charles discerned a most pleasing opportunity. Given these circumstances, he had a strong chance of reversing England’s gains in France, made at his father’s expense. Greatly encouraged, Charles took the plunge and invaded Aquitaine in 1369.
The year also brought further bad news for Edward III, his beloved queen, Philippa of Hainhault, fell ill and died in August. For the king there would, henceforth, be little in which to rejoice; it appeared to be the beginning of the end for Edward.