Edward THE BLACK PRINCE

Edward THE BLACK PRINCE, eldest son of Edward III. and Philippa, was born at Woodstock, 15th June 1330, and was created Earl of Chester (1333), Duke of Cornwall (1337), and Prince of Wales (1343). Knighted by his father at La Hogue in 1345, he the next month, mere boy though he was, fought bravely at Crécy, and is said to have won from his black armour his popular title—a title, however, first cited in the 16th century. In 1355-56 he undertook two marauding expeditions in France, the second signalled by the great victory of Poitiers, where King John and his son Philip were taken prisoners. In 1361 he married his cousin, Joan, the 'Fair Maid of Kent' (1328-85), who bore him two sons, Edward (1365-70) and the future Richard II.; in 1362 his father created him Prince of Aquitaine, and next year he departed to take possession of his principality. In 1367 he espoused the cause of Pedro the Cruel (q.v.), and at Navarrete won his third great victory, taking Du Guesclin prisoner; in 1370, worn out by sickness, he sacked Limoges with merciless severity. He died at Westminster, 8th July 1376. See Lives by G. P. R. James (1822), Le Poittevin de la Croix (Brus., 1854), and Louise Creighton (1876).