Edward III at the Tower of London

Edward made various improvements to the Tower during his reign.

He extended the wharf part way along the riverfront to help with loading and unloading goods, especially military supplies for the Hundred Years’ War.

The need for storage space was such that crossbows and armour were kept in former royal lodgings in St Thomas’s Tower, where the Medieval Palace is now. 

Edward III’s military successes in the Hundred Years’ War also led to two kings being imprisoned at the Tower.

Edward’s brother-in-law, David II of Scotland, was held at the Tower for 11 years after his capture in 1346.

John II ‘the Good’ of France was captured by Edward’s son, the Black Prince, in 1356. The accounts for food, drink, spices and candles during John’s time in the Tower in 1360 show that he and his entourage lived extremely well.

Also famous for...

Claiming the French throne in 1337

This was one of the justifications for the intermittent warfare with France now referred to as the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453).

Reigning during the ‘Black Death’

The destructive pandemic came to England in 1348.