Editing Edward III of England (section)

== Personality ==
Mark Ormrod has noted that in this period, politics was often dictated by the personality and character of the king. However, it was also understood that not only should a king rule well and wisely, but that he should be seen to do so. Ormrod argues that, while he did not begin his reign with these skills, unlike many of his fellow Plantagenet kings, he acquired them. His collection of chronicles indicates an interest in history, even to the extent that, on occasion, he consulted their authors.{{Sfn|Ormrod|2000|p=47}}{{Efn|For example, in 1352, he enquired of [[Ranulf Higden]] regarding the latter's own ''[[Ranulf Higden|Polychronicon]]''.{{Sfn|Ormrod|2000|pp=47–48}}}} He may have been particularly keen to emulate [[Henry II of England|Henry II]] and [[Edward I]], whose own martial prowess and success would have resonated with him.{{Sfn|Ormrod|2000|p=48}} His tastes were conventional, Ormrod says,{{Sfn|Ormrod|2000|p=47}} and J. R. Lander also has argued that this is reflected in his hobbies. Unlike his father's passion for manual work, including carpentry, thatching and rowing, Edward III "shared to the full the conventional tastes and pleasure of the aristocracy",{{Sfn|Lander|1973|p=151}} with his principal interest being architecture.{{Sfn|Ormrod|2000|p=48}}{{Efn|Ormrod estimates Edward to have spent around £130,000 on expanding [[Windsor Castle|Windsor]] and other castles, as well as chapels, [[Hunting lodge (U.K.)|hunting lodge]]s and palaces.{{Sfn|Ormrod|2000|p=48}}}} This conservativism is also reflected in his religious views, which, expressed as they were through the patronage of [[friaries]] and visiting of [[shrine]]s, demonstrate a conventional religion.{{Sfn|Ormrod|2000|p=48}} This is also reflected in his [[almsgiving]]. While ancestors such as Henry III had often been haphazard and exuberant in the amounts they gave and when they did so, Edward III maintained a regular 366 meals a week to be provided for the poor with another £25 to be distributed during the four main feasts.{{sfn|Given-Wilson|1986|p=69}}{{efn|These being Christmas, Easter, [[Pentecost]] and [[Michaelmas]].{{sfn|Given-Wilson|1986|p=69}}}} However, alongside his conventionality ran a populist streak, and Ormrod has described him as a "natural showman", particularly in his alacrity to heal those suffering from [[scrofula]] by his [[royal touch]].{{Sfn|Ormrod|2000|p=48}}{{Efn|This was a form of [[laying on of hands]] healing.{{Sfn|Sturdy|1992|pp=171–172}} In reality, the disease had a high recovery rate and often went into remission naturally, leaving the impression that the King had cured it.{{Sfn|Finley-Crosswhite|2003|pp=139–144}}}} In less than two years, between 1338 and 1340, he touched for scrofula in both England and while campaigning in France;{{Sfn|Brogan|2015|p=37}} another 355 occurred between November 1340 and the same month the following year.{{Sfn|Ormrod|2000|p=48}} He was generous to the point of extravagance.{{sfn|Given-Wilson|1986|p=132}} In an alternative view, [[Norman Cantor]] has described Edward as an "avaricious and sadistic thug".{{Sfn|Cantor|2002|p=33}}

From what is known of Edward's character, he could be impulsive and temperamental, as was seen by his actions against Stratford and the ministers in 1340/41.{{Sfn|Prestwich|2005|p=289}} Other escapades were not just impulsive but dangerous, such as in 1349, when he sailed to Calais with only a small bodyguard.{{Sfn|Ormrod|2000|p=48}} At the same time, he was well known for his clemency; Mortimer's [[Roger de Mortimer, 2nd Earl of March|grandson]] was not only absolved, he came to play an important part in the French wars and was eventually made a Knight of the Garter.{{Sfn|McKisack|1959|p=255}} His favourite pursuit was the art of war and, in this, he conformed to the medieval notion of good kingship.{{Sfn|Ormrod|2000|pp=9–10}}{{Sfn|Prestwich|2005|pp=290–291}} As a warrior he was so successful that one modern military historian has described him as the greatest general in English history.{{Sfn|Rogers|2002|pp=34–45}} He seems to have been unusually devoted to Queen Philippa. Much has been made of Edward's sexual licentiousness, but there is no evidence of any infidelity on his part before Alice Perrers became his lover, and by that time the Queen was already terminally ill.{{Sfn|Mortimer|2006|pp=400–401}}{{Sfn|Prestwich|1980|p=241}} This devotion extended to the rest of the family as well; in contrast to many of his predecessors, Edward never experienced opposition from any of his five adult sons.{{Sfn|Prestwich|2005|p=290}}