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The Perfect King The Life of Edward III Father of the English Nation Ian Mortimer Books

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The Perfect King The Life of Edward III Father of the English Nation Ian Mortimer Books

King Edward III, who reigned in England from 1327 to 1377, was surely the greatest medieval king in all Europe, and he may also be the greatest king in English history. His accomplishments were many and varied. Unfortunately, he has been primarily (and unfairly) remembered as a warmonger, and this has tarnished his reputation. Ian Mortimer brings this king back into proper perspective.

Certainly Edward fought and won many great battles, and he is viewed as the king who began what is now called the 100 Years War. He won stunning victories over the Scots at Halidon Hill and over the French at Crecy. In both cases, his armies were outnumbered. He employed a new method of warfare that used archers and projectiles to great effect, presaging Henry V at Agincourt. Edward used this same strategy in an astounding naval victory over the French at Sluys. Here he was also greatly outnumbered by larger and better equipped ships, but he ordered an attack against the advice of his most trusted assistants. The French navy was destroyed. Edward was audacious, dramatic, and highly courageous.

Because of his great military victories, Edward III was able to subdue the Scots and the French and win back the lands his father had lost. Edward gained a reputation for being unmerciful in war but magnanimous in peace. He often forgave those he had condemned, especially prisoners of war. These prisoners included the kings of Scotland and France.

Throughout his long reign, Edward preserved peace in England by fighting all of his battles on foreign soil. His military victories brought England status and respect. England had been seen as being inferior to France and other countries, but that ended with Edward.

Though he would not compromise with his enemies, he willingly compromised with the representatives of his kingdom. Under Edward III, Parliament and especially the House of Commons, gained a real voice in the government of the realm.

Edward started the Order of the Garter, which rewarded the most noble and chivalric knights of the kingdom. It exists to this day.

Ian Mortimer has written an outstanding biography of this remarkable king. Mortimer's research is truly meticulous, and his prose is engaging and often witty. If you have an interest in medieval or English history, this is a top-notch biography of the man who may have been England's greatest king.


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The Perfect King The Life of Edward III Father of the English Nation Ian Mortimer Books Reviews

Interesting because Mortimer is one of the few (I can't name any others) historians who accepts as fact that Edward II, Edward III's father, did not die at Berkeley Castle on September 21, 1327. Mortimer uses the continued imprisonment of Edward II by vague forces and individuals for largely unknown reasons, as well as the cover up, to explain many of Edward III's actions after 1327. The rumors of Edward II's long imprisonment - much of it outside of England - have circulated for a long time, but the acceptance of it as fact is ... well, interesting to say the least.
This book is chock full of interesting historical facts but I found it slow-reading and tedious. I commend the author for his extensive research and the presentation of his theories with facts to support them, but unless you are a history buff, there are far too many facts, dates and players to make this an interesting read. I felt like a student plowing through a required reading assignment and looked forward with great anticipation to this book coming to an end. I did learn a lot about this king and the times as there is a great deal of good information here, however, it was somewhat overwhelming in the amount of information presented and not particularly entertaining. This is a history book, not historical fiction, although some will argue with the author's historical conclusions. If you like reading detailed history, this is the book for you!
Edward the III, or as he should be known, Edward the Great, truly was the father of the English nation, bringing the poor French vassal out of obscurity to become the foe the continent would contend with and fear for the next six centuries. Many of the English and British mannerisms, quirks, identities, and pride, originate from none other than the Boar of Windsor. Even many of our stories of the legendary King Arthur, whom young and even old Edward aspired to become are written in the century after Edward, and thus are based on much of this king's life. From usurping the throne from his father and power from dictator Roger Mortimer (who has a book of his own) to beating the greatest land army up to that point on their territory, to capturing the greatest war fleet up to that point, to promoting a capitalism prototype and the arts, this monarch is truly one of, if not, the greatest of all the history of the Isles. Mortimer (Ian the author, not Roger the tyrant) so eloquently describes the hardships and enjoyments, losses, and triumphs, morale and sins, hiding no detail, and expressing while yet an admiration, and also an honest lens of the complicated figure who shaped what we know as England.
King Edward III, who reigned in England from 1327 to 1377, was surely the greatest medieval king in all Europe, and he may also be the greatest king in English history. His accomplishments were many and varied. Unfortunately, he has been primarily (and unfairly) remembered as a warmonger, and this has tarnished his reputation. Ian Mortimer brings this king back into proper perspective.

Certainly Edward fought and won many great battles, and he is viewed as the king who began what is now called the 100 Years War. He won stunning victories over the Scots at Halidon Hill and over the French at Crecy. In both cases, his armies were outnumbered. He employed a new method of warfare that used archers and projectiles to great effect, presaging Henry V at Agincourt. Edward used this same strategy in an astounding naval victory over the French at Sluys. Here he was also greatly outnumbered by larger and better equipped ships, but he ordered an attack against the advice of his most trusted assistants. The French navy was destroyed. Edward was audacious, dramatic, and highly courageous.

Because of his great military victories, Edward III was able to subdue the Scots and the French and win back the lands his father had lost. Edward gained a reputation for being unmerciful in war but magnanimous in peace. He often forgave those he had condemned, especially prisoners of war. These prisoners included the kings of Scotland and France.

Throughout his long reign, Edward preserved peace in England by fighting all of his battles on foreign soil. His military victories brought England status and respect. England had been seen as being inferior to France and other countries, but that ended with Edward.

Though he would not compromise with his enemies, he willingly compromised with the representatives of his kingdom. Under Edward III, Parliament and especially the House of Commons, gained a real voice in the government of the realm.

Edward started the Order of the Garter, which rewarded the most noble and chivalric knights of the kingdom. It exists to this day.

Ian Mortimer has written an outstanding biography of this remarkable king. Mortimer's research is truly meticulous, and his prose is engaging and often witty. If you have an interest in medieval or English history, this is a top-notch biography of the man who may have been England's greatest king.