# Prince Edward — Edward III character guide

> Prince Edward in Edward III by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Edward, Prince, black Edward

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

## Snapshot

The king's son, whose baptism of fire in France turns a tender youth into the warrior-prince his father's ambitions demand.

## Who they are

Prince Edward enters the play as the hope of England, the 'flower of Europe's hope' whose lineage justifies the French claim. Separated from his father and surrounded by overwhelming French forces, he must prove that the Plantagenet name is worth the blood it costs. His survival and eventual triumph at Crécy transform him from heir into legend, and his petition for future English princes to win 'like victories' reveals a young man already thinking in terms of dynasty and national destiny.

## Relationships

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

_family_

Prince Edward is the son and heir of King Edward III, with a relationship based on paternal pride and martial training.

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

_family_

Edward Plantagenet and Prince Edward are the same person, representing the prince's dual identity as son and warrior.

## In the story

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

Rebukes Lorraine's defiance and eagerly embraces his first martial duties.

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

Assembles English forces for the French campaign and reports to his father, inadvertently reminding the king of his queen.

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

Referenced as the 'hot unbridled son' marching on the left flank of the English forces.

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

Receives his knighthood ceremony and vows to fight valiantly for England.

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

Returns victorious, presents the King of Bohemia, and is knighted; later fights alone and triumphs.

### [Scene III: Poitou. Fields near Poitiers. The French camp; tent of the Duke of Normandy.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii)

Referenced as the Prince of Wales, said to be fallen into French hands.

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

Defiantly refuses offers of mercy and escape from the French, showing courage and resolve.

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

Mentioned as the besieged English prince, surrounded by iron bonds, whom Salisbury was trying to reach.

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

Shows courage and optimism despite being choked with dust and smoke; uses stones as weapons and prophesies victory.

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

Triumphant leader, shows clemency to captives and generosity to Lord Audley.

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

Triumphantly returns after the Battle of Poitiers, presenting the captured King John of France and his crown to his father.

## Links

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