Isabella and Mortimer were in control of the government during the first years of young Edward's reign. In 1330 Edward took control, had Mortimer executed, and placed Isabella in a convent.

In 1328 Edward married Philippa, daughter of the Count of Hainault. Their marriage produced 12 children, 9 of whom survived and among them were Edward, the Black Prince, and John of Gault, the Duke of Lancaster.

Edward's claim to the French throne, through his mother, would lead to the Hundred Years War in 1337. His claim to France resulted in a great battle in 1346 at Crecy where the English defeated the French Army. A follow-up engagement between the English and French forces took place at Poitiers in 1356 where Edward's son, the Black Prince, commanded the English forces and captured French King Jean II.

By 1360 despite his military victories, Edward lost hope of ever conquering all of France. He determined to settle with the undisputed title to the Duchy of Aquitaine.

Financial trouble marred the later years of Edward's reign, along with the death of his son, Edward the Black Prince. He was thus forced to rely move heavily on the English barons. Upon his death in 1377, the crown passed to his grandson Richard II, son of the Black Prince.