EDWARD THE THIRD EDWARD THE BLACK PRINCE.

1327-1377.

At the time of the cruel death of Edward of Caernarvon his son was only fourteen years of age; and not being old enough to perform the duties of a king, the affairs of the nation were managed by his mother, Queen Isabel, and her friend Mortimer. As Edward grew older, he saw that they did not govern for the good of the people, but sought only their own pleasure and amusement; he, therefore, with the assistance of some of the nobles, seized them while in the Castle of Nottingham. Mortimer was tried, condemned, and hanged. The Queen was confined in Castle Rising; and though she was as wicked as Mortimer, yet being the King's mother, she was treated kindly; and

Edward was in the habit of visiting her once

every year.

Edward was eighteen years of age when he took the government of the kingdom into his own hands. He was a just and merciful king, and ruled over his people wisely and happily. Like his grandfather, he was brave and ambitious, and his love of power led him into unjust wars. One of these was his war with France. He claimed that kingdom because Isabel his mother was the daughter of the King of France. But his claim was not founded on justice, as, according to the law of that country, no woman has a right to the throne. Edward, however, called himself King of France, and took up arms to support his pretended rights.

At the beginning of the war a great sea-fight took place off Sluys, in which the French were defeated; two hundred and

H

eighty ships were destroyed, and twenty thousand seamen slain. As this was the

first time the English had defeated the French by sea, this fight deserves to be remembered.

In 1346 the King, with his eldest son, the brave BLACK PRINCE-so called from the dark steel armour that he wore-landed on the French coast with thirty thousand men. They laid waste a great part o France, and even made their way to the gates of Paris, where they burnt one of the royal palaces. Philip, king of France, hastened to meet them with upwards of one hundred and twenty thousand men. The armies met near the small village of CRECY. Edward disposed his troops with great judgment. The command of the foremost line was given to the Prince of Wales, then a boy of fifteen years of age; and the King stood apart on the brow of a

On

hill to watch his conduct. The fight was fierce and stubborn; and some of the nobles, fearing for the Prince, sent to ask assistance from the King. "Is my son slain or wounded?" asked the father. being answered in the negative, the King bade them return and tell the Prince that the honour of the day was to be his own, adding, "I doubt not that he will win his

spurs. The gallant boy was much pleased by his father's confidence. The French were completely routed, and Philip fled from the field. The slaughter was very great. Among the slain was the old and blind King of Bohemia. His body was found, with his horse standing near tied on each side to the bridles of his attendants. The crest of this king-three ostrich-feathers, with the motto, Ich dien, "I serve". was given to the Prince of

Wales and to his successors in remembrance

of this victory. In the battle of Crecy gunpowder was for the first time used as an instrument of war.

After this victory Edward besieged CALAIS, but it was many months before the inhabitants yielded, and then they were forced into submission by starvation. Edward was very angry because they had been so obstinate, and said that he would spare their lives only on condition that six of the chief citizens should be sent, barefooted, to him with the keys of the city in their hands, and with ropes round their necks. Six of the chief citizens nobly offered themselves; and these men entered Edward's camp and laid the keys of the city at his feet. The King was just about to order them to be hanged, when his Queen, Philippa, fell down before him, and with tears and entreaties procured their pardon.

While Edward and his son were abroad,