Today is the anniversary of the birth in 1312 of Edward III. Crowned at the age of 14, he would go on to be the father of the "Black Prince" and to defeat the French at the Battle of Crecy.
For those of you who saw the movie "Braveheart," as is often the case, the script writers were setting you up to fail a history exam. It is strongly suggested that Edward II's wife Isabella was pregnant by William Wallace, making him the father of Edward III. Now there is no question that Isabella of France was a fascinating woman, one who could hold her own in diplomacy with any man of the age. That said, Wallace was executed in August, 1305; Edward III was born in 1312. Even Isabella could not pull off a pregnancy of at least 7 years and 3 months.
It was during the reign of Edward III that the excellent historic novel "World Without End" (sequel to "The Pillars of the Earth") was set.
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