Edward III of England

Biography
Edward was born on the 13th November 1312 to King Edward II and Isabella of France. His Father's reign was marred by both internal and external strife, as Edward II was an indulgent and uncaring man, who's lust for the luxuries of kingship (and other men) left his realm exposed and suffering. This was highlighted by his disastrous defeat to the Scottish under Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn. Eventually Edward III's mother, Isabella, known as "the she-wolf of France" would depose her hapless husband with her lover Roger Mortimer and the backing of the French king Charles IV, and install the fourteen year old Edward on the throne; although the real power was held by Roger Mortimer. Edward II was imprisoned and smothered to death the same year by Roger and Isabella.

 

Yet Edward was not a bumbling idiot like his father had been, and although just a child, as he grew older he conspired to realize his birthright. Taking advantage of Mortimer's increasing unpopularity, especially after his humiliating defeat to the Scots at the Battle of Stanhope Park, Edward launched a successful coup d'etat at the age of seventeen. Despite his mother’s begging, and at the urging of the English barons, Edward had Roger Mortimer hung in vengeance for the murder of his father. Edward spent the next few years avenging England’s losses to the Scottish, and with an army backed by disinherited Scottish Nobles, won a tremendous victory at Dupplin Moor. Although he attempted to install Edward Balliol on the Scottish Throne, it was ultimately unsuccessful and forces loyal to the infant David II were able to oust the pretender and restore the Scottish monarchy. Despite this setback, England and Scotland had effectively worn each other into a stalemate, and peace was eventually made.

 

Yet Edward’s true challenge was yet to come. Across the channel, the King of France, Phillipe VI confiscated English holdings in France. Although many urged him to make peace, Edward, fearing the same legacy of subservience and weakness as his father, decided not to back down. Edward III would lay claim to the French throne in 1337, claiming lineage from his mother, which the French rejected, favouring Phillipe...setting the stage for the Hundred Years’ War.

 

In the coming years French raids on the English coast would increase dramatically, and Edward knew if there was to be a prospect of invading France, he would need undisputed control of the English Channel. Setting out from the River Orwell, Edward amassed a fleet of roughly 130 ships, and at the Battle of Sluys, was able to cripple a fleet twice his size, using his ships’ smaller size and mobility to his advantage, granting Edward a clear run to the French mainland. Edward finally landed on French soil at Normandy in 1346 with a raiding force of 15,000 men, pillaging across the northern French countryside, seeking to rendezvous with other English forces in Flanders. Yet they were pursued by an army of 30,000 by the French king himself. Edward decided to dig in his heels and give battle, and on the 28th of August 1346, near the town of Crecy, the two kings clashed. The battle was a crushing defeat for the French and a spectacular victory for the English, Phillipe himself barely escaping capture.

 

Riding high from such a great victory, English troops raided deep into the forests and fields of northern France, and it was here that one of the most peculiar events in English history occurred. Edward III, King of England, simply vanished…

 

What had in fact happened, was that Edward’s raiding party had stumbled across a small commune high up in the hills, and feeling generous, had allowed his men to pillage the village. Unbeknownst to Edward, the village was home to a small witch's coven, who had made a pact with a demon, which had become rather affectionate for the village people. When Edward’s men ransacked and raped the townsfolk, the demon was enraged. Taking physical form, it tore the English apart and, despite its better judgement, ultimately decided to imprison the wounded Edward in a timeless void, forcing him to reflect on his actions for what seemed like an eternity.

Now however, the demon has decided to finally release Edward from his stasis, in a world that has changed so much as to be unrecognizable, and is falling apart at the seams.

Physical Appearance
Edward is tall, standing at nearly seven feet tall, with a bushy rusty-brown beard and short chestnut brown hair. His eyes are a dark earthen brown, and his face is hard and handsome.

Personality
Edward is the very model of a medieval monarch, intrepid, decisive, sharp, and ruthless. He is usually quite temperamental, but is capable of unnatural clemency of focus at times. He approaches all tasks with a great energy and enthusiasm, probably out of fear of what happened to his father due to his apathy.

Powers
Edward III has superhuman strength, stamina, speed, senses and vitality, granted to him after his release. He can perceive sounds and smells behind the human spectrum, can react within a couple of milliseconds, and has punches powerful enough to fracture and break stone.Tier Three Combat Speed, Tier Three Senses, Tier Three Strength, Tier Three Stamina, Tier Three Durability, Tier Three Telepathic Resistance

Skills
A brilliant strategist, a scholarly writer, an efficient administrator and a peerless duelist