Early life (1312–1327) Edward was born at Windsor Castle on 13 November 1312, and was described in a contemporary prophecy as "the boar that would come out of Windsor". The reign of his father, Edward II, was a particularly problematic period of English history. The King had alienated several English nobles and Scottish allies by abandoning his father's war with Scotland soon after his accession, and continued to lose battles against the Scots intermittently. Also controversial was the King's patronage of a small group of royal favourites rather than his nobility generally. This, says the historian Michael Prestwich, "unbalanced the whole system of royal patronage". However, the birth of a male heir in 1312 – the future Edward III – soon improved Edward II's relations with the French, and a moderate element within the nobility temporarily quelled baronial opposition. The young prince was created Earl of Chester at only twelve days old, and by January the following year had been provided with an entire household. An early influence on Prince Edward was the Bishop of Durham, Richard de Bury, one of the century's major bibliophiles. Originally a tutor, he appears to have become a mentor to the King. Under Bury's tutelage, Edward learned to write and to read French and Latin. He would have had access to famous contemporary works, such as Vegetius's De Re Militari, which had been translated into Anglo-Norman, as well as the Mirror for Princes and various psalters and religious texts.
early life (1312–1327) edward was born at windsor castle on 13 november 1312 and was described in a contemporary prophecy as "the boar that would come out of windsor" the reign of his father edward ii was a particularly problematic period of english history the king had alienated several english nobles and scottish allies by abandoning his father's war with scotland soon after his accession and continued to lose battles against the scots intermittently also controversial was the king's patronage of a small group of royal favourites rather than his nobility generally this says the historian michael prestwich "unbalanced the whole system of royal patronage" however the birth of a male heir in 1312 – the future edward iii – soon improved edward ii's relations with the french and a moderate element within the nobility temporarily quelled baronial opposition the young prince was created earl of chester at only twelve days old and by january the following year had been provided with an entire household an early influence on prince edward was the bishop of durham richard de bury one of the century's major bibliophiles originally a tutor he appears to have become a mentor to the king under bury's tutelage edward learned to write and to read french and latin he would have had access to famous contemporary works such as vegetius's de re militari which had been translated into anglo-norman as well as the mirror for princes and various psalters and religious texts