14th century AD. A carved stone corbel with keyed rectangular block, ledge carved with the bust of a king, probably that of Edward III (r. 1327-1377) with crown, neat beard and recessed collar. 9.6 kg, 31cm (12 1/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the 1970s. Edward III was a king of the Plantagenet dynasty, who came to the throne when his father (Edward II) was deposed by his mother, Isabella of France, and her lover Roger Mortimer, Earl of March. Edward led a coup d'état against his mother and Mortimer and began his reign at the age of seventeen. He undertook a successful military campaign in Scotland and declared himself heir to the French throne in 1337. This dispute started the so-called 'Hundred Years' War.' English victories in France (notably at Crécy and Poitiers) led to the French king ceding territory to England in return for Edward's withdrawal of his claims. Edward failed to capitalise on his early success, partly due to failing health. He died of a stroke at Sheen on 21 June 1377 and was succeeded by his ten-year-old grandson, King Richard II, son of Edward of Woodstock, better known as the Black Prince.