T
he King Who Never Was

Every so often in British royal history we come across a story of an heir who showed great promise but tragically never made it to the throne. Such is the case with Edward of Woodstock who, in his lifetime showed himself to be a great warrior but, sadly, died before he could become King.

Edward was born on June 15,1330 at Woodstock. The eldest son of King Edward III and Queen Philippa, he was created Earl of Chester in 1333 and became the Duke of Cornwall in 1337, the first duke ever created in England.  In 1343 he was invested as the Prince of Wales.  During his lifetime he was appointed regent while his father was on campaign.  The title we today best known him by is the Black Prince yet it is believed this title was not used until after his death—possibly not until the 16th century. (Legend has it that black was the color of his armor and also his color of preference for all clothing.)

In 1346 at the age of 16, the Prince proved his valor by gallantly fighting beside his father at the Battle of Crecy where England crushed the French opposition. In the next decade the Prince showed himself to be a warrior in his own right—one that in some ways rivaled his father. During his many years of fighting, the Prince also led what was known as "free companies"—mercenary bands who could be recruited for war as long as the looting was profitable.

In September of 1356 Edward came into his own. During the Battle at Poitiers he not only crushed the French forces but he also captured John the Good, successor to Philip VI. This battle was the important battle of the Hundred Years War and enabled his father to negotiate a treaty with France in 1360 which saw the return of Aquitaine, though briefly, to England.

On October 10, 1361 the Prince married his cousin Joan, Countess of Kent at Windsor, allegedly without the knowledge of the King.  In order to marry Joan, "The Fair Maid of Kent", Edward was given papal permission and absolution from Pope Innocent VI.  They had two sons: Edward, who died at the age of 6 in 1372 and Richard, who would succeed his grandfather as King Richard II.

It was during one of his many battles in the late 1360's, most likely in Spain, that the Prince became gravely ill. While he did recover, his health was never the same. He permanently returned to England in 1371 where, even in failing health he remained a vital part of court politics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the age of 45 on June 8, 1376 at the Palace of Westminster Edward fought his final battle, and lost.  He was buried at Canterbury Cathedral.

One cannot help but wonder what kind of King the Prince would have made. In his glory days he would have been a magnificent sovereign, but we must question the matter of his health and how much it would have hampered him as King. Yet in his brief life he proved himself time and again, and for that alone his legend lives on.

 

 

Black Prince pic

Edward of Woodstock
(The Black Prince)
Death robbed him of England's crown

 

 

Linda Abel is the publisher, editor and your faithful Scribe of The Medieval Chronicle. She is also co-published in mystery and self published in non-fiction with books on the medieval period.  She would love hearing from you.  Please contact her at Scribe@TheMedievalChronicle.com.

 

 

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