THE PEASANT REVOLT 1347-1381 [Sidenote: Edward the Third] Still in the vigour of manhood, for he was but thirty-five, Edward the Third stood at the height of his renown.

He had won the greatest victory of his age.

France, till now the first of European states, was broken and dashed from her pride of place at a single blow.

The kingdom seemed to lie at Edward's mercy, for Guienne was recovered, Flanders was wholly on his side, and Britanny, where the capture of Charles of Blois secured the success of his rival and the English party which supported him, opened the road to Paris.

At home his government was popular, and Scotland, the one enemy he had to dread, was bridled by the capture of her king.