The Reign of Edward III

The Reign of Edward III is a very well written book on Edward III. For those who found it lacking because it didn't say enough on the king's life or his military skill, I recommend that you buy Ormrod's new biography on Edward III when it comes out next year Ormrod wrote with a clear, historically sound penl. He included the high points of Edward's life: Sluys, Crecy, and the Treaty of Bretigny. He also highlighted the low points, especially the Crisis of 1341. The battles, although not heavily descriptive, were made known and shown how the contriputed to Edward's success. But it wasn't Ormrod's policy to write a life story. Ormrod, through this book, highlighted Edward's relationships with the great peoples of 14th century England: the minister, magnates, and clergy, as well as the Provincal Society and the Gentry, and lastly the Urban society and the Merchants. Each of these realtionships were important to Edward's unique brand of kingship. The ministers: Stratford, Edington, and Wykeham all came in as Edward's cheif ministers and the did very well, for the most part. It showed how Edward was able to keep the magnates on his side, something his father had no success at. The Clergy's importance is reconzied, although if you want Edward III's personal religion, Ormrod has his own account of that. This book was really fascinating. Edward III's world expert did him justice.

W.M.Ormrod is known world wide as the greatest living expert on Edward III.I'm happy to report that this book did nothing to spoil that image.I was very intrested by Edward's cheif ministers. My favorite would have to be William Edington because he was simply the best. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to take a broder picture of Edward's reign with all its military,cultural,and political changes. I can't wait for Ormrod's new biography on Edward to come out.

The author, W. M. Ormrod, is Director of the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of York. Although his biography of Edward III is scholarly, it is so well written that it should appeal to the historian and student as well as the general public. Ormrod not only covers Edward's reign, but he discusses his impact on medieval English society. The book contains 34 color and black and white illustrations, almost 1,100 endnotes, a list of recommended books for further reading and a select bibliography of primary and secondary sources. I highly recommend The Reign of Edward III to anyone interested in English medieval history!