Philippa of Hainault was Queen of England as the wife and political adviser of King Edward III. She acted as regent in 1346, when her husband was away for the Hundred Years' War.
Philippa of Hainault and her family seated under the canopy
Half groat with portrait of King Edward III, York mint.
Queen Philippa interceding for the Burghers of Calais by J. Doyle Penrose
Depiction of Philippa at the Battle of Neville's Cross from Froissart's Chronicles
Edward III, also known as Edward of Windsor before his accession, was King of England from January 1327 until his death in 1377. He is noted for his military success and for restoring royal authority after the disastrous and unorthodox reign of his father, Edward II. Edward III transformed the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe. His fifty-year reign is one of the longest in English history, and saw vital developments in legislation and government, in particular the evolution of the English Parliament, as well as the ravages of the Black Death. He outlived his eldest son, Edward the Black Prince, and was succeeded by his grandson, Richard II.
Drawing as head of the Order of the Garter, c. 1430 – 1440 in the Bruges Garter Book
To mark his claim to the French crown, Edward quartered the arms of France, placing them in the first and fourth quarters. English stained glass, c. 1350 – 1377.
Groat featuring Edward III
Edward III counting the dead on the battlefield of Crécy
