Edward Balliol surrenders his claim to the Scottish throne to Edward III in exchange for an English pension.

Edward Balliol (Scottish Gaelic: Èideard Balliol; c. 1283 – January 1364) was a prominent and controversial claimant to the Scottish throne during the tumultuous period of the Second War of Scottish Independence. As the son of John Balliol, who himself had briefly reigned as King of Scots before being deposed by England's Edward I, Edward Balliol's claim derived directly from his father's prior kingship. With crucial English assistance, particularly from Edward III, he managed to assert control over various parts of the Scottish kingdom intermittently from 1332 to 1356. However, his rule was largely that of a puppet king, consistently challenged by the Bruce loyalists and lacking widespread acceptance across Scotland.

Edward III (13 November 1312 – 21 June 1377), also known as Edward of Windsor due to his birth at Windsor Castle, reigned as King of England and Lord of Ireland from January 1327 until his death in 1377. His reign is historically significant for its profound transformation of England, elevating it to one of Europe's most formidable military powers. Edward III is widely celebrated for his military genius and for the decisive restoration of royal authority following the disastrous and unconventional reign of his father, Edward II, who had been notoriously influenced by unpopular favourites and suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Bannockburn.

Edward III's half-century reign, one of the longest in English history, was a period of immense change and development. It witnessed vital advancements in legislation and government, most notably the significant evolution of the English Parliament, which saw the Commons begin to assert greater influence and play a more defined role in national affairs, including taxation. Concurrently, England, like the rest of Europe, was ravaged by the devastating Black Death from 1348 to 1350, which profoundly impacted its demography, economy, and social structure. Tragically, Edward III outlived his eldest and most celebrated son, Edward the Black Prince, a renowned military commander, leading to the succession of his grandson, Richard II.

From Deposition to Dominance: Edward III's Ascent

Edward III was crowned King at the tender age of fourteen, following the deposition of his father, Edward II, a coup orchestrated by his mother, Isabella of France, and her ambitious lover, Roger Mortimer. Isabella, daughter of the powerful French king Philip IV, had grown estranged from her husband and sought to secure her son's future. At the age of seventeen, demonstrating remarkable political acumen and courage, Edward III led a successful coup d'état against Mortimer at Nottingham Castle in 1330, effectively seizing the reins of power from the de facto ruler of the country and commencing his personal reign. This bold move solidified his control and signaled a new era of strong monarchical rule.

Following a decisive campaign in Scotland, culminating in the significant English victory at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333, which briefly re-established Edward Balliol on the Scottish throne, Edward III turned his ambitions towards France. In 1337, he formally declared himself the rightful heir to the French throne. This bold claim, based on his maternal lineage through Isabella of France (whose brothers had died without male heirs), directly challenged the Salic Law, which forbade succession through the female line, and served as the principal *casus belli* for what would become known as the Hundred Years' War—a series of prolonged conflicts between England and France.

The Edwardian War and Its Aftermath

The initial phase of the Hundred Years' War, often referred to as the Edwardian War, began with some early setbacks for England. However, it soon turned exceptionally favourable for the English crown under Edward III's astute military leadership. Spectacular victories at the Battle of Crécy in 1346 and the Battle of Poitiers in 1356 showcased the devastating effectiveness of the English longbow and strategic use of tactics like the *chevauchée*. The Battle of Poitiers famously resulted in the capture of the French king, John II. These triumphs led to the highly favourable Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, through which England made significant territorial gains in France, including full sovereignty over Aquitaine and Calais. In return for these extensive lands, Edward theoretically renounced his claim to the French throne, although this renunciation was often conditional and later rescinded.

Despite these significant successes, Edward III's later years were increasingly marked by international reversals and domestic strife. The war with France resumed under the cunning leadership of Charles V, who skillfully avoided pitched battles, leading to the gradual loss of most English territorial gains. Furthermore, the death of his beloved and capable son, the Black Prince, in 1376, coupled with Edward's own declining health and increasing inactivity, contributed to growing factionalism within the court and Parliament. This period saw a decline in the royal authority that he had so meticulously rebuilt.

Edward III's Character and Enduring Legacy

Edward III was known to be a temperamental man, capable of intense passions, yet he also displayed unusual clemency towards defeated enemies and rivals, a trait not always common among monarchs of his era. In many respects, he embodied the ideal of a conventional medieval king, with his primary interest undeniably centered on warfare and the pursuit of chivalric glory. He was the founder of the prestigious Order of the Garter, established around 1348, which served as both a chivalric fraternity and a key mechanism for cementing loyalty among his leading nobles.

During his own lifetime and for centuries thereafter, Edward III was widely admired as a quintessential warrior-king. However, later Whig historians, such as Bishop William Stubbs, often denounced him as an irresponsible adventurer whose foreign wars drained England's resources and distracted from domestic development. In contrast, modern historians offer a more nuanced and appreciative perspective, crediting him with a range of significant and lasting achievements. These include establishing a stable and effective government, implementing crucial administrative reforms, fostering the evolution of the English Parliament into a more powerful institution, forging a stronger sense of national identity through shared military endeavours, and transforming England into a formidable force on the European stage. His reign laid crucial foundations for future English power and identity.

Who was Edward Balliol?
Edward Balliol was the son of John Balliol, a former King of Scotland. He was a claimant to the Scottish throne during the Second War of Scottish Independence (1332-1357) and briefly ruled parts of Scotland with English support.
What was the main achievement of Edward III?
Edward III's main achievements include restoring strong royal authority after his father's chaotic reign, transforming England into a leading military power, and overseeing significant developments in English government and Parliament, alongside leading England through the successful early phases of the Hundred Years' War.
How did Edward III become King?
Edward III became King at the age of fourteen in 1327 after his father, Edward II, was deposed by his mother, Isabella of France, and her lover, Roger Mortimer. He later asserted his personal rule by leading a successful coup against Mortimer in 1330.
What caused the Hundred Years' War?
The Hundred Years' War primarily began in 1337 due to Edward III's assertion of his claim to the French throne. This claim was based on his maternal lineage through his mother, Isabella, who was the daughter of the French king Philip IV, challenging the French Salic Law which prohibited female succession.
What was the Treaty of Brétigny?
The Treaty of Brétigny was a highly favourable peace treaty signed in 1360 during the Hundred Years' War. It granted England substantial territorial gains in France, including full sovereignty over regions like Aquitaine and Calais, in exchange for Edward III's renunciation of his claim to the French crown (though this was later rescinded).