Great Seal of Edward III

This is a wax impression of the Great Seal of King Edward III, who was born in 1312, and reigned from 1327 to 1377. This is first of seven of Edward's Great Seals. He became king at the age of 14, after his mother and her lover (Roger Mortimer) forced his father, Edward II, to abdicate. Three years later Edward III gained control of the court and had Mortimer executed. Edward's uncle was the king of France and, when he died, Edward claimed the French throne. The French resisted and so began the Hundred Year's War with France. Edward's reign also saw huge social changes following the Black Death of 1348-50.