Henry III, the eldest son of King John and Isabella of Angouleme, was born on 1st October, 1207 at Winchester. A grandson of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, he was also the great-great-grandson of Louis VI of France.
He succeeded his unpopular father at the age of nine, to a kingdom in a state of anarchy. Henry was described as being a "pretty little knight" when crowned at the Abbey Church of Gloucester with a circlet belonging to his mother since hs father had previously lost the royal treasure in the Wash.
2
1272
20 Nov 1272—7 Jul 1307: Edward I's reign
Edward I 'Was tall of stature, higher than ordinary men by head and shoulders, and thereof called Longshank; of swarthy complexion, strong of body, but lean; of a comely favour; his eyes in his anger sparkling like fire; the hair of his head dark and curled. concerning his conditions, as he was in war peaceful, so in peace he was warlike, delighting specially in that kind of hunting , which is to kill stags or other wild beasts with spears. In continency of life he was equal to his father; in acts of valour, far beyond him. He had in him the two wisdoms, not often found in any single; both together seldom or never; an ability of judgement in himself, and a readiness to hear the judgement of others. He was not easily provoked into passion, but once in passion not easily appeased.'
3
1307
8 Jul 1307—20 Jan 1327: Edward II's reign
It has been said that Edward II was the great Edward I's only failure. It is true to say that never was there a son less like his father. A thoroughly flawed jewel in England's crown, he failed to live up to the country's expectations of a son of the formidable Edward I, a hard act to follow.
4
1327
25 Jan 1327—21 Jun 1377: Edward III's Reign
The charismatic Edward III, one of the most dominant personalities of his age, was the son of Edward II and Isabella of France. He was born at Windsor Castle on 13th of November, 1312 and created Earl of Chester at four days old.
Edward was aged fourteen at his ill fated father's abdication, he had accompanied his mother to France where she and her lover, Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, planned his father's overthrow. Edward II was later probably murdered at Berkeley Castle, however there are conflicting theories, all of which lack concrete proof as to how the ex-king met with his untimely end. Although nominally King, the young Edward III was in reality the puppet of Mortimer and his mother, who ruled England through him.
1223 - 1337 (114 years)
