Janina Ramirez TV - Simon Schama TV - William Stubbs - David Starkey TV -
Edward III had done the unthinkable: he had proclaimed himself king of England and France. Dr Janina Ramirez, Chivalry and Betrayal: The Hundred Years’ War I: Trouble in the Family 1337-1360, BBC 2013
To claim back his rights in France he would have to take on Philip’s army. ibid.
King Edward and his campaigns were hugely popular. ibid.
France and England were forced to agree a truce but it was a fragile death … the plague had plunged the country into a moral panic. ibid.
Edward reignited the war ... This was systematic pillage and destruction ... This time Edward had not just humbled the French monarchy he had broken it. ibid.
In the summer of 1348 the English could be forgiven for thinking themselves unconquerable. They had vanquished the old enemies – the Scots and the French. Their King – Edward III – seemed the most powerful ruler in Europe. But they would be conquered ... King Death. His weapon was plague ... Almost half the country would be dead. Simon Schama, A History of Britain: King Death, BBC 2000
Edward III was not a statesman, though he possessed some qualifications which might have made him a successful one. He was a warrior; ambitious, unscrupulous, selfish, extravagant and ostentatious. His obligations as a king sat very lightly on him. He felt himself bound by no special duty, either to maintain the theory of royal supremacy or to follow a policy which would benefit his people. Like Richard I, he valued England primarily as a source of supplies. William Stubbs, The Constitutional History of England
Edward [III] was the perfect gentleman … This was a quiet revolution. Monarchy by David Starkey s1e5: A United Kingdom, Channel 4 2004
War with France offered the chance of rich booty … He was about to start a war that would last a hundred years. ibid.