Crowned at age 14, after his mother helped her lover, Roger de Mortimer, depose his father, Edward III reigned over England for 50 years. He wielded little power at first but after a few years seized the reins of government, had Mortimer executed, and forced his mother into retirement. Edward’s long reign saw the ravages of the Black Death as well as vital developments in legislature and government. In 1337, he laid claim to the French crown, provoking what century-long conflict? Discuss