Edward, The Black Prince Edward, The Black Prince Armorial of Plantagenet Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales, KG (15 June 1330  8 June 1376), popularly known as the Black Prince, was the eldest son of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault, and father to King Richard II of England. Edward, an effective military leader and popular during his life, died one year before his father and so never ruled as king (becoming the first English Prince of Wales to suffer that fate). The throne passed instead to his son Richard, a minor, upon the death of Edward III. Life Edward, Prince of Wales was born on June 15, 1330 at Woodstock Palace in Oxfordshire. Titles Edward was created Earl of Chester in 1333, Duke of Cornwall in 1337 (the first creation of an English duke) and finally invested as Prince of Wales in 1343. Edward served as a symbolic regent for periods in 1339, 1340, and 1342 while Edward III was on campaign.

He was expected to attend all council meetings, and he performed the negotiations with the papacy about the war in 1337. He was given the lordship of Biscay by Pedro of Castile in 1367. Marriage and issue Edward had been raised with his cousin Joan, "The Fair Maid of Kent" (Edward I was Joan's grandfather and Edward's greatgrandfather). Edward gained Innocent VI's papal permission and absolution for this marriage to a bloodrelative (as had Edward III when marrying Philippa of Hainaut, being her second cousin) and married Joan in 10 October 1361 at Windsor Castle, prompting some controversy, mainly because of Joan's chequered marital history and the fact that marriage to an Englishwoman wasted an opportunity to form an alliance with a foreign power. When in England, Edward's chief residence was at Wallingford Castle in Berkshire (now Oxfordshire). During this period, he fathered two sons: Edward (27 January 1365  1372), who died at the age of 6; and Richard, who would later rule as Richard II of England.

Adult life A painted carving on the main gate of Oriel College, Oxford depicting the emblem of the Prince of Wales View on chivalry Edward lived in a century of decline for the knightly ideal of chivalry. The formation of the Order of the Garter, an English royal order of which Edward was a founding member, signified a shift towards patriotism and away from the crusader mentality that characterized England in the previous two centuries. Edward's stance in this evolution is seemingly somewhat divided. Edward displayed obedience to typical chivalric obligations through his pious contributions to Canterbury Cathedral throughout his life. Edward the Black Prince from an illuminated manuscript On one hand, after capturing John the Good and his youngest son at Poitiers, he treated them with great respect, at one point giving John leave to return home, and reportedly praying with John at Canterbury Cathedral. Notably, he also allowed a day for preparations before the Battle of Poitiers so that the two sides could discuss the coming battle with one another, and so that the Cardinal of Perigord could plead for peace. Though not agreeing with knightly charges on the battlefield, he also was devoted to tournament jousting.

On the other hand, his chivalric tendencies were overridden by pragmatism on many occasions. The Black Prince's repeated use of the chevauchée strategy (burning and pillaging towns and farms) was not in keeping with contemporary notions of chivalry, but it was quite effective in accomplishing the goals of his campaigns and weakening the unity and economy of France. On the battlefield, pragmatism over chivalry is also demonstrated via the massed use of infantry strongholds, dismounted men at arms, longbowmen, and flank attacks (a revolutionary practice in such a chivalric age). Moreover, he was exceptionally harsh toward and contemptuous of lower classes in society, as indicated by the heavy taxes he levied as Prince of Aquitaine and by the massacres he perpetrated at Limoges and Caen. Edward's behaviour was typical of an increasing number of English knights and nobles during the late Middle Ages who paid less and less attention to the high ideal of chivalry, which would soon influence other countries. List of major campaigns and their significance The 1345 Flanders Campaign on the Northern Front, which was of little significance and ended after 3 weeks when one of Edward's allies was murdered.

The Crécy Campaign on the Northern Front, which crippled the French army for 10 years, allowing the siege of Calais to occur with little conventional resistance before the plague set in. Even when France's army did recover, the forces they deployed were about a quarter of that deployed at Crecy (as shown at Poitiers). Normandy came virtually under English control, but a decision was made to focus on northern France, leaving Normandy under the control of England's vassal allies instead. The Siege of Calais on the Northern Front, during which the inhabitants suffered worst and were reduced to eating dogs, rats, and babies. The siege gave the English personal and vassal control over northern France before the temporary peace due to the Black Death. The Calais counteroffensive on the Northern Front, after which Calais remained in English hands. Les Espagnols sur Mer or the Battle of Winchelsea on the English Channel Front, which was a Pyrrhic victory of little significance beyond preventing Spanish raids on Essex. The Great Raid of 1355 on the AquitaineLanguedoc Front, which crippled southern France economically, and provoked resentment of the French throne among French peasantry.

The raid also 'cushioned' the area for conquest, opened up alliances with neighbours in Aquitaine of which that with Charles the Bad of Navarre is most notable, and caused many regions to move towards autonomy from France, as France was not as united as England. The Aquitaine Conquests on the Aquitaine Front, which brought much firmer control in Aquitaine, much land for resources and many people to fight for Edward. The Poitiers Campaign on the AquitaineLoire Front, which crippled the French Army for the next 13 years, causing the anarchy and chaos which would inevitably cause the Treaty of Bretigney to be signed in 1360. Following this campaign, there was no French Army leader, there were challenges towards Charles the Wise, and more aristocrats were killed at Crécy and Poitiers than those lost to the Black Death. The Reims Campaign, following which peace was finally achieved with the Treaty of Bretigny. But, on the same terms, England was left with about a third of France rather than a little under half which they would have received through the Treaty of London.

This is due to the failure to take Reims which led to the need for a safe passage out of France. As a result, a lesser treaty was agreed to and Edward III was obliged to drop his claims to the French throne. France was still forced to pay a huge ransom of around 4 times France's gross annual domestic product for John the Good. The ransom paid was, however, a little short of that demanded by the English, and John the Good was not returned to the French. Thus, this campaign yielded mixed results, but was mostly positive for Edward. One must also remember Edward III never actually dropped his claim to the throne, and that about half of France was controlled by the English anyway through many vassals. The Najera Campaign on the Castilian Front, during which Pedro the Cruel was temporarily saved from a coup, thus confirming Castilian Spanish dedication to the Prince's cause. Later, however, Pedro was murdered. As a result of Pedro's murder, the money the prince put into the war effort became pointless, and Edward was effectively bankrupt. This forced heavy taxes to be levied in Aquitaine to relieve Edward's financial troubles, leading to a vicious cycle of resentment in Aquitaine and vicious repression of this resentment by Edward.

Charles the Wise, king of France, was able to take advantage of the resentment against Edward in Aquitaine. However, the prince temporarily became the Lord of Biscay. The Siege of Limoges in 1370 on the Aquitaine Front, after which the Black Prince is obliged to leave his post for sickness and financial issues, but also because of the cruelty of the siege, which saw the massacre of some 3,000 residents according to the chronicler Froissart. Without the Prince, the English war effort against Charles the Wise and Bertrand Du Guesclin was doomed. The Prince's brother John of Gaunt was not interested with the war in France, being more interested with the War of Succession in Spain. King Edward III and the prince sail from Sandwich with 400 ships, carrying 4,000 men at arms and 10,000 archers for France, but after six weeks of bad weather and being blown off course they are driven back to England.

Burial He requested to be buried in the crypt of Canterbury Cathedral rather than next to the shrine, and a chapel was prepared there as a chantry for him and his wife Joan (this is now the French Protestant Chapel, and contains ceiling bosses of her face and of their coats of arms). However, this was overruled after his death and he was buried on the south side of the shrine of Thomas Becket behind the quire. His tomb consists of a bronze effigy beneath a tester depicting the Holy Trinity, with his heraldic achievements hung over the tester. The achievements have now been replaced by replicas, though the originals can still be seen nearby, and the tester was restored in 2006. The name "Black Prince" Although Edward is almost always now called the "Black Prince", there is no record of this name being used during his lifetime. He was instead known as Edward of Woodstock, after his place of birth.

The "Black Prince" sobriquet "is first found in writing in Richard Grafton's "Chronicle of England" (1568.) (1) Its origin is uncertain; according to tradition, it derived from an ornate black cuirass (piece of body armour) presented to the young prince by Edward III at the battle of Crécy. It is possible that the name was first coined by French chroniclers in reference to the ruinous military defeats he had inflicted on France or his cruelty in these. In fiction Edward was portrayed by Gabriel Byrne in the film Lionheart (1987). He appears in cameo roles in the popular webcomic Get Medieval. He also makes appearances in Conan Doyle's historical novels The White Company and Sir Nigel. Edward will be portrayed in the 2007 PlayStation3 and Xbox 360 video game Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War by Koei. Edward is one of the main characters in The First Princess of Wales, by Karen Harper. This novel was previously published under the title Sweet Passion's Pain. The story centers on the relationship of Edward and Joan of Kent.

Edward and Joan are supporting characters in The Lady Royal, by Molly Costain Haycraft, a fictional accounting of the life of Edward's sister Isabella. Edward and Joan also appear in supporting roles in Anya Seton's 1954 novel "Katherine", about Edward's brother John's romance with Katherine Swynford. Edward, Prince of Wales is the main role played by Errol Flynn in the not so well known film The Dark Avenger (1955). The film was also known as The Warriors in the USA, and The Black Prince in the UK although the latter seems to have been a working title. In Greece it was aired on TV as "The Black Knight" Edward is sometimes cited as an inspiration for Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, a character in George R. R. Martin's ongoing epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire. Edward, The Black Prince of Wales, was portrayed by James Purefoy in the 2001 movie "A Knight's Tale". In this film, The Black Prince is shown to compete in jousting events incognito, under the pseudonym "Sir Thomas Coleville".

There is no historical reference that shows that Prince Edward ever did such a thing in real life, however. Pyle in Graham Greene's novel The Quiet American originally had a dog named Prince after The Black Prince. Fowler says to him, 'the one who massacred all the women and children in Limoges .' This is important to the book as it shows how although a Prince is meant to be noble (but wasn't), the Quiet American was not quiet, he actually caused quite a stir and distressed a great many people. Leeds The statue of Edward the Black Prince in Leeds City Square A large 1903 equestrian sculpture of the Prince by Thomas Brock can be seen in Leeds City Square. It was a gift from Colonel Thomas Walter Harding, Lord Mayor of Leeds between 18981899, who personally chose Edward as the subject, feeling that (although the prince had no connection with Leeds) he symbolised the virtues of democracy and chivalry. The choice was probably also a tribute to another Edward, Prince of Wales, who opened Leeds Infirmary in 1867 and the Yorkshire College buildings (now the University of Leeds) in 1885.

The tall pedestal displays battle scenes on land and sea, and the moulding above has the names of 14th century politicians, diplomats, churchmen and founders of colleges and schools, all in low relief. The statue is the centrepiece of an array of statues in the square, which include more local people such as Joseph Priestley. Further reading Richard Barber, The Life and Campaigns of the Black Prince, ISBN 0851154697 Tuchman, Barbara, A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century, Alfred A. Knopf, New York City, 1978. Life of the Black Prince by the Herald of Sir John Chandos. Royal Berkshire History: Edward the Black Prince including images in both civilian and military dress Guilhem Pepin, 'Towards a new assessment of the Black Prince's principality of Aquitaine: a study of the last years (13691372)', Nottingham Medieval Studies, Vol. L, 2006, pp. 59114.

David Green, "Edward, The Black Prince: Power in Medieval Europe", ISBN 9780582784819 See also HMS Black Prince, for Royal Navy ships named in his honour. Black Prince's Ruby which he forced Pedro the Cruel to give to him after the Spanish campaign for his ungratefulness. A43 Infantry Tank "Black Prince" a British experimental AFV design, essentially a "super Churchill" of which six prototypes were built very late in WWII. Black Prince Cicada, a common cicada from Australia Notes (1) Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1985, "Edward the Black Prince" Source Edward of Woodstock | Royal Family Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Edit Born at Woodstock Palace in Oxfordshire , Edward's birth was significant to the royal family in some views, as it is said that it gave Edward III and his associates the confidence that the Plantagenet dynasty would continue, so that they could go ahead with the overthrow of Mortimer and Isabella in 1330 without feeling the dynasty was at risk.

Titles Edit Edward was created Earl of Chester in 1333, Duke of Cornwall in 1337 (the first creation of an English duke ) and finally invested as Prince of Wales in 1343. Edward served as a symbolic regent for periods in 1339, 1340, and 1342 while Edward III was on campaign. He was expected to attend all council meetings, and he performed the negotiations with the papacy about the war in 1337. He was given the lordship of Biscay by Pedro of Castile in 1367. Early life Edit His early life saw a rise in fashion sense, with Edward taking a fancy to red and purple velvet cloaks and hats, and an early love for tournaments at the expense of learning, like his father. He also developed his recklessness with money which, along with his love of gambling , would eventually cause the end of his career. Marriage and issue Edit Edward had been raised with his cousin Joan, "The Fair Maid of Kent" ( Edward I Longshanks was Joan's grandfather and Edward's great-grandfather).

An old story relates how he meant her to marry his close friend, Sir Bernard Brocas , but that, when he broached the subject with her, she professed her undying love for Edward instead. Edward gained papal permission for this marriage to a blood-relative[ citation needed ] and married Joan in October 1361, prompting some controversy, for it was believed that a warrior such as Edward should have married a foreigner for diplomatic advantages in war. Some believe he was thus exiled to the province of Aquitaine (in what is now France), where he ruled as prince on behalf of his father, though some historians are critical of that idea, since Edward's time in Aquitaine allowed him to take control of a nearly sovereign area on his own. When in England , however, Edward's chief residence was at Wallingford Castle in Berkshire (now Oxfordshire ). During this period, he fathered two sons: Edward, who died in infancy; and Richard, who would later rule as Richard II of England .

Adult life See also main article Prince of Wales's feathers The emblem of the Prince of Wales's feathers and its accompanying motto, Ich dien ( German : "I serve"), are said to have been inherited by the prince from King John of Bohemia , against whom he fought in the Battle of Crécy . Legend tells that after the battle, Edward walked over to King John's dead body. The king had ridden into battle despite his blindness , and Edward admired his bravery. He picked up the king's helmet, lined with ostrich feathers, and took the king's motto, Ich dien. This emblem and motto were not exclusively used by the Black Prince, but also by his brothers. This story, however, is only partly true; while it may be true that he adopted the ostrich feathers from the King of Bohemia, the emblem he used was used before him by other English monarchs. There is a theory that the Black Prince and his brothers inherited the ostrich feather badge from his mother Philippa of Hainault ; she came from the family of the Counts of Hainault , and they used the ostrich (French autruche) feather symbol as a heraldic pun on the name of a place called Ostrehans which they owned.

There is a theory that "Ich dien" arose as a Germanizing mishearing of Welsh Uwch dyn = "Your servant". View on chivalry Edit Edward lived in a century of decline for the knightly ideal of chivalry . The formation of the Order of the Garter , an English royal order of which Edward was a founding member, signified a shift towards patriotism and away from the crusader mentality that characterized England in the previous two centuries. Edward's stance in this evolution is seemingly somewhat divided. Edward displayed obedience to typical chivalric obligations through his pious contributions to Canterbury Cathedral throughout his life. On one hand, after capturing John the Good and his youngest son at Poitiers, he treated them with great respect, at one point giving John leave to return home, and reportedly praying with John at Canterbury Cathedral. Notably, he also allowed a day for preparations before the Battle of Poitiers so that both sides could discuss the upcoming battle with one another, and so that the Cardinal of Perigord could plead for peace. Though not agreeing with knightly charges on the battlefield, he also was devoted to tournament jousting.

On the other hand, his chivalric tendencies were overridden by pragmatism on many occasions. The Black Prince's repeated use of the chevauchée strategy was not in keeping with contemporary notions of chivalry, but it was quite successful in accomplishing the goals of his campaigns and weakening the unity and economy of France. On the battlefield, pragmatism over chivalry is also demonstrated via the massed use of infantry strongholds, longbowmen, and flank attacks (a revolutionary practice in such a chivalric age). Moreover, he was exceptionally harsh toward and contemptuous of lower classes in society, as indicated by the heavy taxes he levied as Prince of Aquitaine and by the massacres he perpetrated at Limoges and Caen . Edward's behaviour was typical of an increasing number of knights and nobles during the late Middle Ages who paid less and less attention to the high ideal of chivalry. Such arguments have been explored in more depth by Richard Barber . List of major campaigns and their significance Edit The 1345 Flanders Campaign on the Northern Front, which was of little significance and ended after 3 weeks when one of Edward's allies was murdered.

The Crécy Campaign on the Northern Front, which crippled the French army for 10 years, allowing the siege of Calais to occur with little conventional resistance before the plague set in. Even when France's army did recover, the forces they deployed were about a quarter of that deployed at Crecy (as shown at Poitiers). Normandy came virtually under English control, but a decision was made to focus on northern France, leaving Normandy under the control of England's vassal allies instead. The Siege of Calais on the Northern Front, during which the inhabitants suffered worst and were reduced to eating dogs, rats and babies. The siege gave the English personal and vassal control over northern France before the temporary peace due to the Black Death . The Calais counter-offensive on the Northern Front, after which Calais remained in English hands. Les Espagnols sur Mer or the Battle of Winchelsea on the English Channel Front, which was a Pyrrhic victory of little significance beyond preventing Spanish raids on Essex. The Great Raid of 1355 on the Aquitaine-Languedoc Front, which crippled southern France economically, and provoked resentment of the French throne among French peasantry.

The raid also 'cushioned' the area for conquest, opened up alliances with neighbours in Aquitaine of which that with Charles the Bad of Navarre is most notable, and caused many regions to move towards autonomy from France, as France was not as united as England. The Aquitaine Conquests on the Aquitaine Front, which brought much firmer control in Aquitaine, much land for resources and many people to fight for Edward. The Poitiers Campaign on the Aquitaine-Loire Front, which crippled the French Army for the next 13 years, causing the anarchy and chaos which would inevitably cause the Treaty of Bretigney to be signed in 1360. Following this campaign, there was no French Army leader, there were challenges towards Charles the Wise, and more aristocrats were killed at Crécy and Poitiers than those lost to the Black Death. The Reims Campaign, following which peace was finally achieved with the Treaty of Bretigny. But, on the same terms, England was left with about a third of France rather than a little under half which they would have received through the Treaty of London.

This is due to the failure to take Reims which led to the need for a safe passage out of France. As a result, a lesser treaty was agreed to and Edward III was obliged to drop his claims to the French throne. France was still forced to pay a huge ransom of around 4 times France's gross annual domestic product for John the Good. The ransom paid was, however, a little short of that demanded by the English, and John the Good was not returned to the French. Thus, this campaign yielded mixed results, but was mostly positive for Edward. One must also remember Edward III never actually dropped his claim to the throne. The Najera Campaign on the Castillian Front, during which Pedro the Cruel was temporarily saved from a coup, thus confirming Castillian Spanish dedication to the Prince's cause. Later, however, Pedro was murdered. As a result of Pedro's murder, the money the prince put into the war effort became pointless, and Edward was effectively bankrupt. This forced heavy taxes to be levied in Aquitaine to relieve Castile's financial troubles, leading to a vicious cycle of resentment in Aquitaine and vicious repression of this resentment by Edward.

Charles the Wise, king of France, was able to take advantage of the resentment against Edward in Aquitaine. However, the prince temporarily became the Lord of Biscay. The Siege of Limoges on the Aquitaine Front, after which the Black Prince is obliged to leave his post for sickness and financial issues, but also partly because of the cruelty of the siege. Without the Prince, the English war effort against Charles the Wise and Bertrand Du Guesclin was doomed. The Prince's brother John of Gaunt was not interested with the war in France, being more interested with the War of Succession in Spain. King Edward III and the prince sail from Sandwich with 400 ships, carrying 4,000 men at arms and 10,000 archers for France, but after six weeks of bad weather and being blown off course they are driven back to England. This is the final campaign of the black prince, and following the failure the prince formally resigns from his position as prince of Aquitaine.

Death and burial File:Blakfgee.JPG He requested to be buried in the crypt of Canterbury Cathedral rather than next to the shrine, and a chapel was prepared there as his chantry (this is now the French Protestant Chapel, and contains ceiling bosses of the face of his wife Joan and of their coats of arms). However, this was overruled after his death and he was buried on the south side of the shrine of Thomas Becket behind the quire. His tomb consists of a bronze effigy beneath a tester depicting the Holy Trinity , with his heraldic achievements hung over the tester. The achievements have now been replaced by replicas, though the originals can still be seen nearby, and the tester was restored in 2006. Edit Although Edward is almost always now called the "Black Prince", he was never known as such during his lifetime. He was instead known as Edward of Woodstock, after his place of birth. The "Black Prince" moniker does not appear in writing until at least 200 years after Edward's death. Its origin is uncertain; according to tradition, it derived from an ornate black cuirass (piece of body armor) presented to the young prince by Edward III at the battle of Crécy.

However, it is also possible that the name was first coined by French chroniclers in reference to the ruinous military defeats he had inflicted on France or his cruelty in these. One apocryphal etymology of the name has it deriving from the blackness of Edward's tomb effigy from dirt and/or black polish, when it is in fact shiny metal now, although it may have been tarnished or polished before. In Fiction Was Edward the Black Prince really a nasty piece of work? - BBC News BBC News Was Edward the Black Prince really a nasty piece of work? 7 July 2014 Close share panel Image copyright Alamy A newly discovered letter that has lain unread for over 600 years is forcing a rethink of a 14th Century prince with a controversial reputation, writes Luke Foddy. He was the superstar of his age, winning his spurs in battle aged just 16. But the reputation of Edward of Woodstock - or the Black Prince, as he has become known to history - is still the subject of the same type of dispute that rages over the reputations of Richard III and Oliver Cromwell.

A persistent theory runs that Edward's nickname refers to the cruelty he inflicted upon the French during the Hundred Years War - the dynastic struggle for the crown of France. The blackest stain upon Edward's reputation is the sack of the French town of Limoges in September 1370. An English possession, it was ruled by Edward as Prince of Aquitaine. Image copyright Science Photo Library In late summer 1370, the Bishop of Limoges, Johan de Cross - a friend of Edward's and godfather to his son - betrayed the prince and defected to the French. He welcomed a garrison into part of the town, and held it against the English. According to the chronicler Jean Froissart, Edward was incensed at the news and stormed it. A massacre followed, says Froissart. "It was a most melancholy business - for all ranks, ages and sexes cast themselves on their knees before the prince, begging for mercy; but he was so inflamed with passion and revenge that he listened to none, but all were put to the sword.

Upwards of 3,000 men, women and children were put to death that day." Despite some academics dismissing Froissart's account, the sack of Limoges has become a well-known aspect of Edward's career to modern schoolchildren and history buffs. In a recent episode of the BBC's QI, host Stephen Fry described how the prince "almost destroyed the entire population of Limoges". But now, a previously unknown letter written by the prince is shining new light on the controversy. Image copyright Other The letter was discovered by French historian Dr Guilhem Pepin in a Spanish archive. "The letter was written by the Black Prince three days after the sack of Limoges," says Pepin, who will be presenting his research at the International Medieval Congress conference in Leeds this week. "He was writing to the great Gascon lord Gaston Febus, Count of Foix, to tell him what had happened." Image copyright Other In the letter, Edward describes how he took several high ranking prisoners in the attack, including the bishop of Limoges and Roger de Beaufort, the brother of Pope Gregory XI. Crucially, however, Edward refers to the number of prisoners he took in the town.

"He specifies that he took 200 knights and men-at-arms prisoner," says Pepin. "When we compare this new evidence with other sources, it becomes very significant." One source, the Chandos Herald, says there were 300 men garrisoning the town. "We also have a contemporary, local source written at the abbey Saint-Martial of Limoges, which says there were around 300 fatalities in total in the city," says Pepin. "So, when this evidence is combined, it seems that 100 soldiers and 200 civilians were killed, as opposed to Froissart's claim of 3,000 innocents." In the medieval world, the death of hundreds of people during the storming of a town was far from unprecedented. But the cold-blooded murder of 3,000 civilians would have been scandalous. Richard the Lionheart's decision to execute a similar number of Saracen prisoners at Acre during the Third Crusade in 1191, for example, has led to him being a controversial figure even in modern times.

It is now clear, though, that Froissart greatly inflated the scale of violence at Limoges, making it seem extraordinarily, excessively cruel. That Froissart's version has stuck is an injustice to Edward, argues Pepin. "It now seems he doesn't deserve the 'evil' reputation he has for what happened at Limoges." Froissart's credibility is further undermined by Edward making no reference to a massacre in his letter. Image copyright Not Specified Who was Edward the Black Prince Image copyright Getty Images Eldest son of King Edward III - born in 1330 in Woodstock, Oxfordshire Showed early military brilliance and enjoyed notable victories against the French in the hundred years war Made prince of Wales in 1343 Married Joan of Kent and went to live in French domains after being created prince of Aquitaine and Gascony in 1362 Died aged 45 on 8 June 1376, and was buried in splendour in Canterbury Cathedral More from BBC History Image copyright Not Specified But before we go exonerating the Black Prince and freeing him from the label of historical baddie, we should be careful.

In a recent paper on the final days of Edward's life, Dr Paul Booth says the prince was a troubled soul reflecting on a life of sin. "On his deathbed, Edward did an extraordinary thing," says Booth, honorary senior research fellow at Keele University. "He issued a charter disafforesting Wirral in Cheshire, which had been under his rule as earl of Chester. The inhabitants were subjected to hardship and corruption under the forest system, and the pressures of war meant Edward often turned a blind eye to these excesses. "Issuing this charter would have brought much relief for the people of Wirral, and it could be seen as Edward trying to make up for his failings before he died." His choice of mausoleum offers clues as his state of mind, says Booth. "Edward chose to be buried at Canterbury Cathedral instead of Westminster Abbey, which had become the traditional resting place for the English royal family. Canterbury is strongly associated with pilgrimage and penance, so it seems Edward felt he had many sins to repent for." But if Edward was repenting, we at least now know it probably wasn't a great massacre at Limoges troubling his soul. So, where does all this leave the Black Prince nickname?

The theory that it relates to Edward's "black as pitch" soul is at odds with the praise lavished on him by contemporaries, who painted a picture of a man more akin to James Purefoy's interpretation in the 2001 Hollywood romp, A Knight's Tale. Purefoy's character is a just and humble knight, the epitome of chivalry. "Edward of Woodstock was probably not virtue personified, but based on the testimonies I've seen, I would say he was probably more virtuous than the average princes of his time," says Pepin. There's a simple explanation in Edward's coat of arms used for tournaments. "It consisted of three white ostrich feathers [still used in the arms of the Prince of Wales today] on a black background," says Pepin. The black motif would have also been on the prince's surcoat worn over his armour, and on the horse's caparison. "Given that black is a fairly rare colour in heraldry, it is completely feasible that this would be unusual enough to give rise in England to a nickname like the Black Prince," says Pepin. His dark soul appears to have nothing to do with it.

Image copyright Not Specified More from the Magazine Image copyright Thinkstock The medieval reign of King John has been characterised by disaster and his reputation languishes among the lowest for all the kings and queens of England. But among the dozens of bad kings and despots, why is John always the pantomime villain, asks Tom Geoghegan. Edward, the Black Prince - Renowned Military Commander Edward, the Black Prince Edward, the Black Prince Renowned Military Commander Image of Edward, the Black Prince from the Bruges Garter Book, c. 1340. Public Domain; courtesy of Wikimedia This profile of Edward, the Black Prince is part of Who's Who in Medieval History Edward, the Black Prince was also known as: Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales, Prince d'Aquitaine, Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Chester Edward, the Black Prince was known for: Scoring several notable victories during the Hundred Years' War. He was the eldest son and heir apparent of King Edward III , but he did not live to become king. Occupations: Victorious at Battle of Crécy: Aug. 26 , 1346 Victorious at Battle of Poitiers: Sept.

19 , 1356 Married Joan Plantagenet: Oct. 10 , 1361 Victorious at Battle of Nájera: April 3 , 1367 Died: June 8 , 1376 About Edward, the Black Prince: In 1337, Edward became the first Duke to be created in England when he was given the title Duke of Cornwall. In his first campaign, at the age of 16, he "won his spurs" at the Battle of Crécy in 1346. continue reading below our video What are the Seven Wonders of the World It was at this time that he acquired the mottoes homout; ich dene ("Courage; I serve"), which have been used by the Princes of Wales ever since. Edward became one of the original Knights of the Garter, and was given an independent command of forces in France in 1355. Edward won his most famous victory at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, where King John II of France was taken captive.

He treated his prisoner with undeniable courtesy, but the king still had to pay a ransom of 3 million gold crowns and negotiate the treaties of Brétigny and Calais, through which Aquitaine became English territory. In 1361 Edward married Joan Plantagenet, "The Fair Maid of Kent," his divorced and widowed cousin. In 1362 he was created Prince of Aquitaine, and in 1363 he left England to take up his duties there. His rule in Aquitaine was a failure for several reasons: as a foreign conqueror, he was too extravagant, and he allowed French loyalties to strengthen; his relationships with the bishops of the area were not good, while some of the nobles of the region were downright hostile; and he levied too many taxes. Edward attempted to restore Peter the Cruel of Castile to his throne, and he won a notable victory at the Battle of Nájera. However, the campaign adversely affected his health, he used up a great deal of his treasury, and he suffered setbacks in Aquitaine as a result.

In 1368, the nobles of Aquitaine appealed against him to King Charles V of France, who informed Edward that he must answer to the appellants before the parlement of Paris. Edward replied that he would appear with 60,000 men at his back. But, in addition to alienating the French nobility, he had also fared poorly with the townspeople and peasantry in Aquitaine, and a revolt ensued that he was unable to put down. He returned to England and in January, 1371, formally surrendered the principality to his father. At home in England, Edward enjoyed a reputation for chivalry and valor, and he spent some time jousting, falconing, and hunting. He was literate, conventionally religious, generous to his friends, and possessed of artistic sensibilities and an appreciation for fine jewels. In the last year of his life, when he knew he was dying, he may have supported the commons in the Good Parliament of April, 1376 in an attempt to secure the succession for his eldest surviving son, Richard . Edward died that June, and was buried in Canterbury Cathedral.

There are no known contemporary records for Edward's sobriquet "Black Prince." It is believed to refer to black armor he may have worn, although another theory attributes it to his dark temper. The first recorded use of the nickname is in the 1568 publication, The Chronicle of England by Richard Grafton. More Edward, the Black Prince Resources: Edward, the Black Prince on the Web Edward, the Black Prince in Print The links below will take you to an online bookstore, where you can find more information about the book to help you get it from your local library. This is provided as a convenience to you; neither Melissa Snell nor About is responsible for any purchases you make through these links. 1000+ images about From the Black Prince. on Pinterest | What would, A chicken and The mid Pinterest • The world’s catalog of ideas From the Black Prince. Some photos of the Black Prince of England signet ring. The ring is visible in the Louvre Museum in Paris, Aile Richelieu, First floor, section 4... It seems that the red stone in the center is a ruby. Nice ring created it seems between 1330 and 1370.

9 Pins272 Followers Edward, the Black Prince | Military Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Edward, the Black Prince Share Ad blocker interference detected! Wikia is a free-to-use site that makes money from advertising. We have a modified experience for viewers using ad blockers Wikia is not accessible if you’ve made further modifications. Remove the custom ad blocker rule(s) and the page will load as expected. "The Black Prince" redirects here. For other uses, see The Black Prince (disambiguation) . Edward of Woodstock Prince of Wales; Prince of Aquitaine Personal details 8 June 1376(1376-06-08) (aged 45) Palace of Westminster (15 June 1330 – 8 June 1376) was the eldest son of King Edward III of England and his wife Philippa of Hainault as well as father to King Richard II of England . He was called Edward of Woodstock in his early life, after his birthplace, and since the 16th century has been popularly known as the Black Prince.

He was an exceptional military leader, and his victories over the French at the Battles of Crécy and Poitiers made him very popular during his lifetime. In 1348 he became the first Knight of the Garter , of whose Order he was one of the founders. Edward died one year before his father, becoming the first English Prince of Wales not to become King of England. The throne passed instead to his son Richard II , a minor, upon the death of Edward III. Richard Barber comments that Edward "has attracted relatively little attention from serious historians, but figures largely in popular history." [1] Contents Edit Edward, the Black Prince is granted Aquitaine by his father King Edward III. Initial letter "E" of miniature, 1390; British Library, shelfmark: Cotton MS Nero D VI, f.31 Edward was born on 15 June 1330 at Woodstock Palace in Oxfordshire.

He was created Earl of Chester on 18 May 1333, Duke of Cornwall on 17 March 1337 (the first creation of an English duke) and finally invested as Prince of Wales on 12 May 1343 when he was almost thirteen years old. [2] In England, Edward served as a symbolic regent for periods in 1339, 1340, and 1342 while Edward III was on campaign. He was expected to attend all council meetings, and he performed the negotiations with the papacy about the war in 1337. He also served as High Sheriff of Cornwall from 1340–1341, 1343, 1358 and 1360–1374. Edward had been raised with his cousin Joan, "The Fair Maid of Kent." [3] Edward gained permission for the marriage from Pope Innocent VI and absolution for marriage to a blood-relative (as had Edward III when marrying Philippa of Hainault, his second cousin) and married Joan on 10 October 1361 at Windsor Castle .

The marriage caused some controversy, mainly because of Joan's chequered marital history and the fact that marriage to an Englishwoman wasted an opportunity to form an alliance with a foreign power. When in England, Edward's chief residence was at Wallingford Castle in Berkshire (since 1974 in Oxfordshire), or at Berkhamsted Castle in Hertfordshire. He served as the king's representative in Aquitaine, where he and Joan kept a court which was considered among the most brilliant[ Clarification needed ] of the time. It was the resort of exiled kings such as James IV of Majorca and Peter of Castile . Peter of Castile, thrust from his throne by his illegitimate brother Henry of Trastámara , offered Edward the lordship of Biscay in 1367, in return for the Black Prince's aid in recovering his throne. Edward was successful in the Battle of Nájera (April 3), in which he soundly defeated the combined French and Castilian forces led by Bertrand du Guesclin . However Peter did not pay fully and excused to yield Biscay alleging lack of consent of its states . Edward retreated to Guienne by July.

[4] The Black Prince returned to England in January 1371 and died on 8 June 1376 (a week before his 46th birthday), after a long-lasting illness that was probably amoebic dysentery contracted ten years earlier while campaigning in Spain. [5] Time line of Edward's life Edward had illegitimate sons, all born before his marriage.[ citation needed ] By Edith de Willesford (d. after 1385): Sir Roger Clarendon (1345/60 - executed 1402); he married Margaret (d. 1382), a daughter of John Fleming, Baron de la Roche. [6] By unknown mothers: Edward (b. ca. 1349 - died young) Sir John Sounder [7] Edward married his cousin, Joan, Countess of Kent (1328-1385), on 10 October 1361. She was the daughter and heiress of Edmund of Woodstock , Earl of Kent, the younger son of King Edward I by his second wife Margaret of France . They had two sons from this marriage.

Both sons were born in France, where the Prince and Princess of Wales had taken up duties as Prince and Princess of Aquitaine . From his marriage to Joan, he also became stepfather to her children, including Thomas Holland, 2nd Earl of Kent whose daughter, Joan Holland , would marry Edward's brother, Edmund of Langley . Edward's other stepson, John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter , would marry Edward's niece, Elizabeth of Lancaster , daughter of his brother, John of Gaunt . Edward and chivalry Edit Edward lived in a century of decline for the knightly ideal of chivalry .[ citation needed ] The formation of the Order of the Garter , an English royal order of which Edward was a founding member, signified a shift towards patriotism and away from the crusader mentality that characterised England in the previous two centuries. Edward's stance in this evolution is seemingly somewhat divided.

Edward displayed obedience to typical chivalric obligations through his pious contributions to Canterbury Cathedral throughout his life.[ citation needed ] On the one hand, after capturing John the Good, king of France, and Philip the Bold , his youngest son, at the Battle of Poitiers, he treated them with great respect, at one point giving John permission to return home, and reportedly praying with John at Canterbury Cathedral. Notably, he also allowed a day for preparations before the Battle of Poitiers so that the two sides could discuss the coming battle with one another, and so that the Cardinal Périgord could plead for peace. However, some argue "he may have been playing for time to complete preparation of his archers' positions." [8] Though not agreeing with knightly charges on the battlefield, he also was devoted to tournament jousting.[ citation needed ] On the other hand, his chivalric tendencies were overridden by expediency on many occasions.

The Black Prince's repeated use of the chevauchée strategy (burning and pillaging towns and farms) was not in keeping with contemporary notions of chivalry, but it was quite effective in accomplishing the goals of his campaigns and weakening the unity and economy of France.[ citation needed ] On the battlefield, he favoured pragmatism over chivalry in the massed use of infantry strongholds, dismounted men at arms, longbowmen, and flank attacks (a revolutionary practice in a chivalric age). Moreover, he was exceptionally harsh toward and contemptuous of members of the lower classes in society, as exemplified by the heavy taxes he levied as Prince of Aquitaine and by the massacres he perpetrated at Limoges and Caen.[ citation needed ] Edward's behaviour was typical of an increasing number of English knights and nobles during the late Middle Ages who paid less and less attention to the high ideal of chivalry.

This growing disregard for chivalry's demands and the accompanying decline in martial and general conduct was soon to influence the nobility of other countries.[ citation needed ] List of major campaigns and their significance Edit The 1345 Flanders Campaign on the northern front, which was of little significance and ended after three weeks when one of Edward's allies, Jacob van Artevelde , a former brewer and eventual governor of Flanders, was murdered by his own citizens. The Crécy Campaign on the northern front, which crippled the French army for ten years, allowing the siege of Calais to occur with little conventional resistance before the plague set in. Even when France's army did recover, the forces they deployed were about a quarter of that deployed at Crécy (as shown at Poitiers). Normandy came virtually under English control, but a decision was made to focus on northern France, leaving Normandy under the control of England's vassal allies instead. The Siege of Calais , during which the inhabitants suffered greatly and were reduced to eating dogs and rats. [9] The siege gave the English personal and vassal control over northern France before the temporary peace due to the Black Death.

The Calais counter-offensive, after which Calais remained in English hands. Les Espagnols sur Mer or the Battle of Winchelsea in the waters of the English Channel where the English fleet defeated the Castilian fleet. The Great Raid of 1355 in the Aquitaine–Languedoc region, which crippled southern France economically, and provoked resentment of the French throne among French peasantry. The raid also 'cushioned' the area for conquest, opened up alliances with neighbours in Aquitaine, the one with Charles II of Navarre being the most notable, and caused many regions to move towards autonomy from France, as France was not as united as England. The Aquitaine Conquests, which brought much firmer control in Aquitaine, much land for resources and many people to fight for Edward. The Poitiers Campaign in the Aquitaine-Loire region, which crippled the French army for the next 13 years, fomenting the anarchy and chaos which would cause the Treaty of Bretigney to be signed in 1360.

Following this campaign, there was no French army leader, there were challenges towards Charles the Wise, and more aristocrats were killed at Crécy and Poitiers than by the Black Death. The Reims Campaign, following which peace was finally achieved with the Treaty of Bretigny. But, on the same terms, England was left with about a third of France rather than a little under half which they would have received through the Treaty of London. This is due to the failure to take Reims which led to the need for a safe passage out of France. As a result, a lesser treaty was agreed to and Edward III was obliged to drop his claims to the French throne. France was still forced to pay a huge ransom of around four times France's gross annual domestic product for John the Good. The ransom paid was, however, a little short of that demanded by the English, and John the Good was not returned to the French. Thus, this campaign yielded mixed results, but was mostly positive for Edward. One must also remember Edward III never actually dropped his claim to the throne, and that about half of France was controlled by the English anyway through many vassals.

The Najera Campaign in the Castilian region, during which Peter of Castile was temporarily saved from a coup, thus confirming Castilian dedication to the Prince's cause. Later, however, Pedro was murdered. As a result of Pedro's murder, the money the prince put into the war effort became pointless, and Edward was effectively bankrupt. This forced heavy taxes to be levied in Aquitaine to relieve Edward's financial troubles, leading to a vicious cycle of resentment in Aquitaine and repression of this resentment by Edward. Charles the Wise, king of France, was able to take advantage of the resentment against Edward in Aquitaine. However, the prince temporarily became the Lord of Biscay. The Siege of Limoges in 1370 on the Aquitaine area, after which the Black Prince was obliged to leave his post for his sickness and financial issues, but also because of the cruelty of the siege, which saw the massacre of some 3,000 residents according to the chronicler Froissart . Without the Prince, the English war effort against Charles the Wise and Bertrand Du Guesclin was doomed.

The Prince's brother John of Gaunt was not interested with the war in France, being more interested in the war of succession in Castile. King Edward III and the prince sailed for France from Sandwich with 400 ships carrying 4,000 men at arms and 10,000 archers, but after six weeks of bad weather and being blown off course, they were driven back to England. Death and Burial Tomb effigy Tomb Edward died at Westminster Palace . He requested to be buried in the crypt of Canterbury Cathedral rather than next to the shrine, and a chapel was prepared there as a chantry for him and his wife Joan, Countess of Kent. (This is now the French Protestant Chapel, and contains ceiling bosses of her face and of their coats of arms.) However, this was overruled after his death and he was buried on the south side of the shrine of Thomas Becket behind the quire. His tomb consists of a bronze effigy beneath a tester depicting the Holy Trinity , with his heraldic achievements hung over the tester. The achievements have now been replaced by replicas, though the originals can still be seen nearby. The tester was restored in 2006.

Such as thou art, sometime was I. Such as I am, such shalt thou be. I thought little on th'our of Death So long as I enjoyed breath. But now a wretched captive am I, Deep in the ground, lo here I lie. My beauty great, is all quite gone, My flesh is wasted to the bone. -Epitaph inscribed around his effigy Titles, styles, honours and arms The Black Prince's coat of arms, as heir-apparent to the English throne. Arms and heraldic badge Edit Arms: Quarterly, 1st and 4th azure semée of fleur-de-lys or (France Ancient); 2nd and 3rd gules, three lions passant guardant or (England); overall a label of three points argent. Crest: On a chapeau gules turned up ermine, a lion statant or gorged with a label of three points argent. Mantling: gules lined ermine. As Prince of Wales, Edward's coat of arms were those of the kingdom, differenced by a label of three points argent. [10] The Black Prince's "shield for peace".

A painted carving on the main gate of Oriel College, Oxford , depicting the badge of the Prince of Wales. Edward also used an alternative coat of Sable, three ostrich feathers argent, described as his "shield for peace" (probably meaning the shield he used for jousting ). This shield can be seen several times on his tomb chest, alternating with the differenced royal arms. His younger brother, John of Gaunt , used a similar shield on which the ostrich feathers were ermine . Edward's "shield for peace" is believed to have inspired the badge of three ostrich feathers used by later Princes of Wales. The name "Black Prince" Edit Although Edward is often referred to as the "Black Prince", there is no record of this name being used during his lifetime, nor for more than 150 years after his death. He was instead known as Edward of Woodstock (after his place of birth), or by one of his titles.

The "Black Prince" sobriquet is first found in writing in two manuscript notes made by the antiquary John Leland in the 1530s or early 1540s: in one, Leland refers in English to "the blake prince"; in the other, he refers in Latin to "Edwardi Principis cog: Nigri". [11] The name's earliest known appearance in print is in Richard Grafton 's Chronicle at Large (1569): Grafton uses it on three occasions, saying that "some writers name him the black prince", and (elsewhere) that he was "commonly called the black Prince". [12] It is used by Shakespeare, in his plays Richard II (written c.1595) and Henry V (c.1599).

It later appears prominently in the title of Joshua Barnes 's The History of that Most Victorious Monarch, Edward IIId, King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland, and First Founder of the Most Noble Order of the Garter: Being a Full and Exact Account Of the Life and Death of the said King: Together with That of his Most Renowned Son, Edward, Prince of Wales and of Aquitain, Sirnamed the Black-Prince (1688). The origins of the name are uncertain, though many theories have been proposed. These fall under two main heads: that it is derived from Edward's black shield, and/or his black armour. that it is derived from Edward's brutal reputation, particularly towards the French in Aquitaine. The black field of his "shield for peace" is well documented (see Arms above). However, there is no sound evidence that Edward ever wore black armour, although John Harvey (without citing a source) refers to "some rather shadowy evidence that he was described in French as clad at the battle of Crecy "en armure noire en fer bruni" – in black armour of burnished steel".

[13] Richard Barber suggests that the name's origins may have lain in pageantry, in that a tradition may have grown up in the 15th century of representing the prince in black armour. He points out that several chronicles refer to him as Edward the Fourth (the title he would have taken as King had he outlived his father): this name would obviously have become confusing when the actual Edward IV succeeded in 1461, and this may have been the period when an alternative had to be found. [14] Edward's brutality in France is also well documented, and David Green believes that this is where the title has its origins. The French soldier Philippe de Mézières refers to Edward as the greatest of the "black boars" – those aggressors who had done so much to disrupt relations within Christendom. [15] Other French writers made similar associations, and Peter Hoskins reports that an oral tradition of L'Homme Noir, who had passed by with an army, survived in southern France until recent years.

[16] In Shakespeare's Henry V, a reference by the King of France to "that black name, Edward, Black Prince of Wales" suggests that the playwright may have interpreted the name in this way. There remains, however, considerable doubt over how the name might have crossed from France to England. Cultural references Edward appears in the Gordon R. Dickson novel The Dragon Knight , and also with Joan in Dickson's novel The Dragon and the Fair Maid of Kent . Edward appears as a participant in the Crécy campaign in Bernard Cornwell's novel Harlequin (published in the U.S. as The Archer's Tale). He also features in the sequel " 1356 ". The character of Robert Godwin in Susan Howatch 's historical novel The Wheel of Fortune is based on Edward. Edward plays an important role in two novels by Rebecca Gablé , a German writer of historical fiction. Edward makes an appearance in the novel By Right of Arms, by Robyn Carr , as a supporter and friend of the main character.

Edward appears as the Prince of Wales in World Without End , by Ken Follett , during the battle of Crecy, where he is rescued by one of the main characters, Ralph FitzGerald (later Earl of Shiring). Edward and Canterbury Cathedral are mentioned in Chapter 52 of David Copperfield by Charles Dickens: "Yet the bells, when they sounded, told me sorrowfully of change in everything; told me of their own age, and my pretty Dora's youth; and of the many, never old, who had lived and loved and died, while the reverberations of the bells had hummed through the rusty armour of the Black Prince hanging up within, and, motes upon the deep of Time, had lost themselves in air, as circles do in water." Anthony Burgess claimed in a 1972 interview to have written a plan for a novel about the Black Prince which would incorporate John Dos Passos ' narrative techniques: however, the actual novel remains unwritten and/or unplublished. [17] Iris Murdoch published the novel The Black Prince in 1973, though her title in fact alludes to Hamlet .

Edward The Black Prince appears in the novels of Thea Beckman , Give Me Space (1976), Triumph of Scorched Earth (1977) and Wheel of Fortune (1978) The Black Prince was mentioned in the 1927 short novel The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft , in which it implies there existed unknown darker secret on the reason of the Siege of Limoges . Art Edit The statue of Edward the Black Prince in Leeds City Square A large 1903 equestrian sculpture of the Prince by Thomas Brock can be seen in Leeds City Square. It was a gift from Colonel Thomas Walter Harding , Lord Mayor of Leeds between 1898 and 1899. The choice was probably also a tribute to the future Edward VII , then Prince of Wales, who opened Leeds Infirmary in 1867 and the Yorkshire College buildings (now the University of Leeds ) in 1885. The statue is the centrepiece of an array of statues in the square, including more local people such as Joseph Priestley .

"The Black Prince at Crecy" by Julian Russell Story is a very large and detailed painting of Edward, in black armor, standing after a battle above vanquished enemy King John of Bohemia . The painting is on permanent display at the Telfair Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia. Films Edit Edward, Prince of Wales is the main role played by Errol Flynn in The Dark Avenger (1955). The film was also known as The Warriors in the USA, and The Black Prince in the UK although the latter seems to have been a working title. In Greece it was aired on TV as The Black Knight. Edward, The Black Prince of Wales, was portrayed by James Purefoy in the 2001 film A Knight's Tale . Though never intended to be a historically accurate tale, the film puts an odd spin on Edward. He is portrayed as a kind and benevolent prince who enjoys sneaking into jousting tournaments to compete, and he is very kind to the protagonist, who is of peasant ancestry, even knighting him. However, appearing incognito in tournaments was not uncommon, taking its inspiration from chivalric romances.

Indeed, Prince Edward's father, Edward III , enjoyed participating in tournaments dressed in the arms of other English knights. [18] English SS volunteers in the 1965 alternate history film It Happened Here are part of the Black Prince Division as seen briefly on their cuff titles at the end of the film when being massacred after surrendering. Games Edit Edward is portrayed in the 2007 PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 video game Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War by Koei. Within this video game, he is seen as the inspirational commander of English forces, aspiring to conquer France for his father, though remaining compassionate to the feelings of the French peasantry, knowing that they would be his people upon success in France. Edward appears under the name of Black Prince in the game Empire Earth in the English campaign in the fourth and fifth scenario. Edward is also a key military commander in Medieval: Total War . A British cavalier named The Black Prince appeared in Age of Empires II map editor and is one of the random names for the Britons' commander in random map games. In the game " Madness: Project Nexus " The Black Prince is referenced when clicking on the Iron Sword and reading its description.

See also HMS Black Prince , for Royal Navy ships named in his honour Black Prince's Ruby which he forced Peter the Cruel to give to him after the Castilian campaign for his ungratefulness. It is actually a large red spinel . A43 Infantry Tank "Black Prince" a British experimental AFV design, essentially a "super Churchill " of which six prototypes were built very late in World War II. Ancestry Barber, Richard (2008). "Edward (Edward of Woodstock; known as the Black Prince), prince of Wales and of Aquitaine (1330–1376)" . Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. . Retrieved 8 October 2011. Subscription resource. Green, David (2007). Edward, the Black Prince: Power in Medieval Europe. Harlow: Longman. ISBN 978-0-582-78481-9 . Green, David (2009). "Masculinity and medicine: Thomas Walsingham and the death of the Black Prince". pp. 34–51. Harvey, John (1976).

The Black Prince and his Age. London: Batsford. ISBN 0-7134-3148-2 . The Herald of Sir John Chandos (1910). Mildred K. Pope & Eleanor C. Lodge. ed. Life of the Black Prince. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Available online Hoskins, Peter (2011). In the Steps of the Black Prince: the Road to Poitiers, 1355-1356. Woodbridge: Boydell. ISBN 978-1-84383-611-7 . Pattison, Richard Phillipson Dunn (1910). The Black Prince. London: Methuen. Pepin, Guilhem (2006). "Towards a new assessment of the Black Prince's principality of Aquitaine: a study of the last years (1369–1372)". pp. 59–114. Tuchman, Barbara (1978). A Distant Mirror: the Calamitous 14th Century. New York City: Alfred A. Knopf.

ISBN 0-394-40026-7 . External links 1000+ images about Edward of Woodstock on Pinterest | Aquitaine, Effigy and England Édouard de Woodstock, Edouard Plantagenêt, Black Prince, Prince Noir, Édouard le Noir 145 Pins220 Followers The Black Prince Sword - The Black Prince Sword The Black Prince sword, Type XVa, 1370 AD, Medieval Sword The English Prince Edward of Woodstock, "The Black Prince of Wales", is well known to scholars of art, history, literature and theater for his chivalrous and occasionally non-chivalrous actions. Although eldest son of King Edward III, The Black Prince was never crowned king - Dead before his father, the crown passed to his son Richard instead. Since the 16th C. Edward of Woodstock came to be popularly dubbed as "The Black Prince." A name more recognized for Edward�s legacy, possibly issued from his black (blued) armor. This title may also have come from his temper, lack of mercy and derision towards the lower classes, in spite of his chivalrous beliefs.

The popularity of Edward III�s sword was surely affected when a medieval sword, discovered during the mid 20th century, was identified by Ewart Oakeshott as the medieval Sword of the Black Prince. Thought to have been stolen from Edward�s tomb centuries earlier, The Black Prince sword became one of the most recognizable artifacts of 14th Century. By the end of the 14th c., as the science of armor advanced, blade design needed to adapt. While a sword could do considerable damage to a man wearing mail from force alone, the advent of plate rendered cutting swords next to useless against an armored foe. To adapt to this new armor, bladesmiths began to make thrusting swords that were stiff instead of flexible, with diamond cross sections that would reinforce the tip. These swords, engineered to thrust through the gaps in armor, revolutionized medieval warfare techniques during later part of the middle ages. Authentic in every detail, the Black Prince sword is individually hand forged from 5160 High Carbon Steel and Dual hardened to a Rockwell of 60 at the edge and 48-50 at the core.

Typical of the 14th century, The Black Prince sword has a long needle-like hollow ground diamond shape blade specifically designed to penetrate plate armor with searing strength. Its resilient hollow ground blade provides this sword outstanding thrusting force and a extraordinary balance. Refined yet of elegant simplicity, the Black Prince sword is in a class by itself. Light, responsive and classically styled, the Black Prince sword delivers what it was designed to do ! Backed by our commitment and reputation for forging some of the most durable swords in the industry, the black prince sword is faithfully crafted from the original and stands as a legacy to the perfection of sword making at the crowning of the 14th century. Shipping and Returns This item is shipped directly from Canada. Shipping costs are automatically caluculated in the $30-40 range. Please allow 4-7 business days for delivery once shipped. This item cannot be expedited and is shipped by ground only. Returns are only accepted for an exchange on this product. No returns for refunds are allowed, but returns for exchanges only for other Dark Sword products. Defective items from workmanship will be replaced free of charge. Thank you.

Reviews BBC - History - Edward, the Black Prince z Edward, Prince of Wales, known as the Black Prince © Although Edward never became king - he died before his father, Edward III - he is remembered as a great medieval military hero, with notable victories against the French in the Hundred Years War. Edward was born on 15 June 1330 at Woodstock in Oxfordshire, the eldest son of Edward III. He was created prince of Wales in 1343. He showed military brilliance at an early age, playing a key role in the defeat of the French army at the Battle of Crecy when he was only 16. In 1355, he was appointed his father's lieutenant in Gascony and the following year led another significant victory against the French at Poitiers, taking the French king prisoner. In 1362, Edward married Joan of Kent and was created prince of Aquitaine and Gascony by his father. Edward and his wife went to live in his new French domains.

In 1367, Edward led an expedition to Spain, to restore the deposed King Pedro of Castile, and proved himself again with victory at the Battle of Najera in northern Castile. Edward returned to Aquitaine, where he made himself unpopular with the nobility by levying taxes to pay for his Spanish expedition. They rose in revolt against him and in 1370 Edward besieged the city of Limoges. When it fell, 3,000 of its inhabitants were massacred. A year later, Edward returned to England. Edward died aged 45 on 8 June 1376, probably from an illness contracted in Spain, and was buried in great splendour in Canterbury Cathedral. His young son, Richard, succeeded Edward III a year later. During his lifetime he was known as Edward of Woodstock. The title of Black Prince developed after his death and may refer to black armour that he wore.

Black Prince Sword | darksword-armory.com Black Prince Sword Type XVa, 1370 AD, Medieval Sword The English Prince Edward of Woodstock, “The Black Prince of Wales”, is well known to scholars of art, history, literature and theater for his chivalrous and occasionally non-chivalrous actions. Although eldest son of King Edward III, The Black Prince was never crowned king – Dead before his father, the crown passed to his son Richard instead. Since the 16th C. Edward of Woodstock came to be popularly dubbed as “The Black Prince.” A name more recognized for Edward’s legacy, possibly issued from his black (blued) armor. This title may also have come from his temper, lack of mercy and derision towards the lower classes, in spite of his chivalrous beliefs. The popularity of Edward III’s sword was surely affected when a medieval sword, discovered during the mid 20th century, was identified by Ewart Oakeshott as the medieval Sword of the Black Prince. Thought to have been stolen from Edward’s tomb centuries earlier, The Black Prince sword became one of the most recognizable artifacts of 14th Century.

By the end of the 14th c., as the science of armor advanced, blade design needed to adapt. While a sword could do considerable damage to a man wearing mail from force alone, the advent of plate rendered cutting swords next to useless against an armored foe. To adapt to this new armor, bladesmiths began to make thrusting swords that were stiff instead of flexible, with diamond cross sections that would reinforce the tip. These swords, engineered to thrust through the gaps in armor, revolutionized medieval warfare techniques during later part of the middle ages. Authentic in every detail, the Black Prince sword is individually hand forged from 5160 High Carbon Steel and Dual hardened to a Rockwell of 60 at the edge and 48-50 at the core. Typical of the 14th century, The Black Prince sword has a long needle-like hollow ground diamond shape blade specifically designed to penetrate plate armor with searing strength. Its resilient hollow ground blade provides this sword outstanding thrusting force and a extraordinary balance. Refined yet of elegant simplicity, the Black Prince sword is in a class by itself. Light, responsive and classically styled, the Black Prince sword delivers what it was designed to do !

Backed by our commitment and reputation for forging some of the most durable swords in the industry, the black prince sword is faithfully crafted from the original and stands as a legacy to the perfection of sword making at the crowning of the 14th century. Photograph of the original sword: The Black Prince Sword Type XVa, 1370 A.D., Customer Feedback regarding the Black Prince Sword: -“Eyal, I have received the most magnificent weapon in my collection the other day (The Black Prince Medieval Sword). It took me a few days to let you know because I was to excited to type. A truly beautifully hand made sword and a fine scabbard and belt.I have named it Grey Owl and it will travel with me to Valhalla when the time comes . Thank you for your fine craftsmanship!” – Lee O. ~ TN, USA. 5160 High Carbon Steel, Dual Hardened to a Rockwell of 60 at the cutting edge 48-50 At the core

Question: Edward Woodstock, 14th Century Prince of Wales, is popularly known by what name?
Answer: The Black Prince