King Edward III
(1312-1377), Reigned 1327-77Sitter associated with 30 portraits
The eldest son of Edward II and Isabella of France, Edward became king at the age of fourteen after his father was deposed by his mother and her lover Roger Mortimer and subsequently murdered. They retained power as regents until 1330 when Edward imprisoned Mortimer and imposed confinement on his mother. He was popular with his people and in 1340 was the first English king to assume the title of King of France, which started the Hundred Years War. At home, Edward's reign was chiefly characterised by a serious outbreak of plague in which an estimated 200,000 people died.
Watch a film clip on the sitter from the BBC Archive in the Media section below
More on King Edward III: Monarchs range in our Shops | Kings & Queens range in our Shops
by Elkington & Co, cast by Domenico Brucciani, after Unknown artist
electrotype, 1873, based on a work of circa 1377-1380
On display in Room 1 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 332
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, 1597-1618
NPG 4980(7)
'The Kings and Queens of England: From the Conquest to Queen Victoria'
by Henry Hering
albumen carte-de-visite photomontage, 1862
NPG Ax131392
possibly by William Faithorne
line engraving, probably 17th century
NPG D23700
by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, published 1618
NPG D9384
by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, published 1638 (1618)
NPG D9383
King Edward II; King Edward III (fictitious portraits)
probably by William Faithorne, published by Sir Robert Peake
line engraving, circa 1640
NPG D22804
probably by or after William Faithorne
line engraving, (early 1640s)
NPG D33896
probably by or after William Faithorne
line engraving, (early 1640s)
NPG D33897
after Unknown artist
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D23697
after Michael Vandergucht
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D23698
possibly by Robert White
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D23696
King Edward I; King Edward II; King Edward III; King Richard II
after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1677
NPG D34137
after Unknown artist
woodcut, published 1684
NPG D23930
by Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1688
NPG D18692
The lines of Plantagenet, Lancaster and York
by George Vertue
etching, circa 1700-1756
NPG D32045
by Peter Vanderbank (Vandrebanc), after Edward Lutterell (Luttrell)
line engraving, 1706
NPG D23701
by John Carwitham, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, circa 1723-1741
NPG D33898
The Sovereigns of England, part 1
by John Carwitham, printed and published by Richard Caldwell, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, circa 1723-1741
NPG D34141
by George Vertue
line engraving, 1732
NPG D23695
Related People
- King Edward II (father)
- Edward, Prince of Wales (son)
- Isabella of France (mother)
- John ('John of Gaunt'), Duke of Lancaster and Aquitaine (son)
- Philippa of Hainault (wife)
- King Richard II (grandson)
- Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester (son)
- Edward, 2nd Duke of York (grandson)
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.