Editing Edward III of England (section)

=== Mortimer's rule and fall ===
One of Edward's first acts – ''de facto'' Mortimer's – was to lead another campaign to Scotland in July 1327.{{sfn|Nicholson|1965|pp=26–27}} It was not long before the new reign also met with other problems caused by the central position of Mortimer at court, who was now the de facto ruler of England. Mortimer used his position to acquire noble estates and titles, and his unpopularity grew with the humiliating defeat by the Scots at the [[Battle of Stanhope Park]] in the [[county of Durham]], and the ensuing [[Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton]], agreed with the Scots in 1328.{{Sfn|McKisack|1959|pp=98–100}} The young king also came into conflict with his guardian. Mortimer knew his position in relation to the King was precarious and subjected Edward to disrespect. The King married Philippa of Hainault at [[York Minster]] on 24 January 1328, and the birth of their first child, [[Edward of Woodstock]], on 15 June 1330 only increased tension with Mortimer.{{Sfn|Mortimer|2006|pp=67, 81}} Eventually, the King decided to take direct action against Mortimer.{{Sfn|Prestwich|2005|pp=223–224}} Although up until now Edward had kept a low profile, it is likely that he increasingly suspected that Mortimer's behaviour could endanger Edward's own life, as the former's position became more unpopular. This was exacerbated by his execution of Edward's uncle [[Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent|Edmund, Earl of Kent]]. Contemporary chroniclers suspected, too, that Mortimer had designs on the throne, and it is likely that it was these rumours that encouraged Edward to act against him and his mother, who supposedly maintained a close relationship with Mortimer.{{Sfn|Bothwell|2008|pp=83–84}}

Aided by his close companion [[William Montagu, 3rd Baron Montagu]], and a small number of other trusted men, Edward took Mortimer by surprise and captured him at [[Nottingham Castle]] on 19 October 1330. Mortimer was executed and Edward's personal reign began.{{Sfn|Prestwich|2005|pp=223–224}} The historian [[Mark Ormrod (historian)|Mark Ormrod]] argued that at this point Edward had had "little instruction in the art of kingship",{{Sfn|Ormrod|2000|p=47}} and although he had received several books on the subject on his betrothal to Philippa, "it is extremely doubtful that he read or comprehended these works".{{Sfn|Ormrod|2000|p=47}} His reign, continues Ormrod, was to be guided by his practical, rather than theoretical, experience.{{Sfn|Ormrod|2000|p=47}}