Edward III

Edward III
King of the Anglish Empire, Protector of the Realm, King of the Charmelcs
Portrait by Hyacinthe Rigaud c. 1729
Reign	6 November 1726 – 28 June 1732
Coronation	November 1695
Predecessor	Robert V
Successor	James III
Born	Edward Brandon Karstark Graff 1 January 1701 Newfort, Angland
Died	28 June 1732(1732-06-28) (aged 31) Adavici, Vetullia
Burial	Eastminster Chapel, Retoria
Full name Edward Brandon Karstark Graff
House	House Graff
Father	Robert V
Mother	Maria Ecclestark

Edward III (b; 1 January 1701 d; 28 June 1732) was King of Angland from 1726 to his death by poisoning in 1732 as well as Grand Duke of Theroux from 1710-1726 and King of Charmelcia from 1726-1732. He was the final of the Graff Kings.

The first and only son of Robert V and Maria Ecclestark, Edward was the sole member of the Graff dynasty following the passing of his father in 1726. During his brief reign he made progress in signing the Edwardian Articles into Anglish law, recognising Charmelcia's right to vote for their monarch. He also inherited a role in the Vermandan state of Theroux as Grand Duke at an early age due to relations his father organised prior to his death.

Early Life

Childhood

A portrait of a young Edward III by Hugo Smith c.1722.

Edward was born in the Graff Rural Estate in Newfort, Angland as first born son of King Robert V and Maria Ecclestark. On his mothers side, he was the a relative of Robert IV, member of House of Vieri. He had no siblings as Maria Ecclestark had a history of infertility prior to Edward's birth, with his birth being a miracle to most. At aged 9, Edward became the Grand Duke of Theroux, a state in Vermand, following a deal made between his father and the state.

He was much closer with his mother than his father, with her nicknaming him chers yeux ("precious eyes") and lavished fondness and affection upon him for most of his life. His father, on the other hand, grew a resentment for his son as he became much closer with his mother than with him.

The royal child was raised under the supervision of Anne Voleya, his father's mistress.

Youth

Although he was skilled and fond of fencing, he preferred to indulge his tastes for the arts and reading. These predilections were attributed to his Vetullian-style mother. Edward's favourite passtimes consisted of pigeon shooting and hunting.

At one point in his youth Henry showed a tendency towards Catholicism as a means of rebelling. At the age of nine, he called himself "a little Huguenot", attended Mass only to please his mother, sang Catholic psalms to his father's mistress Anne Voleta and even bit off the nose of a statue of a protestant figure.

Sexuality

Reports existed that Edward was engaging in same-sex relations with some of his courts favourites. He was known to have enjoyed intense relations with them. A scholar in his court called as Jacob Patrick maintains that all of the contemporary rumours were true. Some historians argue, however, that these rumours came from political opposition to Edward. The idea is further supported by his reluctance to marry which greatly annoyed his father, who saw Edward as the only Graff left and so the heir to his dynasty. He was presented with numerous foreign mistresses such as Madelyn of Cleaves and Anne of Yeuxae, however he declined all attempts for him to marry. Many historians believe that this may have been due to his rumoured homosexuality.

Assasination

In the summer of 1732, King Edward III was invited by Louis II of Vetullia to a royal feast in the capital. He took with him members of his royal court, whom he had alledged same-sex relations with. Prior to the feast, Edward was given wine from a man who claimed to be a servant to Louis named Jacques Clément. A first hand account from Edward's personal bodyguard George Flemming claims that once he had drank the wine he immediately began to choke out, this is when he knew immediately what had happened and knew he had to act. Flemming proceeded to kill Jacques and attempt to save the King, however he was pronounced dead on the scene by royal doctors.