Edward the Black Prince 1330-76
English heir to the throne

Born in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, the eldest son of Edward III, he was created Earl of Chester (1333), Duke of Cornwall (1337) and Prince of Wales (1343). While still a boy, he commanded the right wing at Cr�cy (1346), and is said to have won his popular title (first cited in the 16th century) from his black armour. He won several victories in the Hundred Years War, including the great victory of Poitiers (1356). 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 he lived there until 1371, when a revolt forced him to return to England. In 1367 he espoused the cause of Pedro, the Cruel, of Castile and restored him to the throne, at Najera winning his third great victory and taking Bertrand du Guesclin prisoner. Worn out by sickness, he mercilessly sacked Limoges (1370), after which, mortally ill, he returned to England and took no further part in public life. A chivalric legend in his own lifetime, brave and inspirational, he tended to live beyond his means, and it is doubtful ifhe had the pragmatic realism necessary for medieval kingship.

Bibliography: Richard Barber, Edward, Prince of Wales and Aquitaine (1978)