# Lord Audley — Edward III character guide

> Lord Audley in Edward III by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Audley

**First appearance:** 0007-act-iii

## Snapshot

A steady English lord whose loyalty to King Edward is matched only by his pride in the young Prince's bloody triumph on the battlefield.

## Who they are

Audley serves as Edward's trusted eyes and ears — it is he who is sent to learn who approaches the court, and he who rides at the Prince's side against the French. His cry of 'O joyful sight! victorious Edward lives!' reveals a man who measures his own worth by his sovereign's survival. He anchors the play's martial world, embodying the older generation of nobles whose faith in the Plantagenet line makes the coming war possible.

## Relationships

### [King Edward III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/king_edward_iii)

_professional_

Lord Audley is a trusted commander and vassal of King Edward III, often involved in military campaigns.

### [Countess of Salisbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/countess_of_salisbury)

_social_

The Countess of Salisbury and Lord Audley interact as members of the same noble circle, with Audley defending her honor.

### [Edward Plantagenet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/edward_plantagenet)

_professional_

Edward Plantagenet and Lord Audley serve together as commanders in the English army, with Audley mentoring the young prince.

### [Robert of Artois](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/robert_of_artois)

_friendship_

Lord Audley and Robert of Artois are comrades-in-arms and allies in the English campaign against France.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Charged with levying footmen for the French war.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Reports on mustered troops but is also dismissed as the king remains preoccupied.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Participates in the arming ceremony, presenting the lance to Prince Edward.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-v)

Pleads with King Edward to rescue the prince, calling him 'cruel father.'

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Advises Prince Edward on the nature of life and death, encouraging acceptance of fate.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vi)

Wounded in battle, accepts his fate stoically and asks to be taken to Prince Edward to salute him.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vii)

Mortally wounded, he receives honors and gifts from Prince Edward, which he bequeaths to his rescuers.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Enters with Prince Edward after the victory.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/lord_audley
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters