The Black Prince
(Edward the Black Prince)
1330–1376
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The Black Prince first distinguished himself when he accompanied his father on a campaign in France when only sixteen. His father had him lead a division of the army that bore the brunt of the French attack, and he achieved great renown for his handling of the situation. He was subsequently made a knight of the Garter and was from that point, very popular with the English people.
When the Prince came to manhood he began to reside in Gascony, the English province in Western France. From this base he made several raids into central France, the most famous resulting in the great English victory at Poitiers. The famous battle served to increase the reputation of the Black Prince for several reasons. First it was a great military victory against great odds. Secondly the Prince conducted himself with great chivalry and courage, both before and after the battle. The English gains of Poitiers were formalized in the treaty of Bretigny which brought a brief period of peace between England and France.
In later years, the Black Prince became involved in several wars indirectly related to the English-French conflict. He took the side of Pedro the Cruel, a recently deposed king of Castile. Although the Black Prince won a great victory for Pedro at the Battle of Navarrete, he was never properly paid and did not achieve the gains he hoped for England. He had further trouble in governing England's newly won regions of France because of some rebellious and treacherous Barons, and his problems were made worse because of the no longer vigorous policies of his aging father. Eventually he became too ill to govern in France and had to return to England, where he died after an extended illness. He was greatly mourned, because the English people had expected that he would ascend to the throne and win more glorious victories for England.
Key events during the life of The Black Prince:
| Birth of Edward, the Black Prince, eldest son of Edward III of England. | |
| The Black Prince distinguishes himself at the Battle of Crecy, though only sixteen. | |
| Black Plague ravages England and Europe, and delaying the ongoing War with France. | |
| The Black Prince resides in Gascony, the large province in Western France ruled by England. | |
| The English, under the Black Prince are victorious at Poitiers. King John of France, taken prisoner. | |
| Treaty of Bretigny is signed, giving over several regions of France to England. Led to 9 years of peace. | |
| At the Battle of Navarrete the Black Prince wins a victory for the treacherous Pedro the Cruel. | |
| Birth of Richard II, eldest son of the Black Prince. | |
| The Black Prince besieges the town of Limoges in Aquitaine, and massacres 3000 of its rebellious citizens. | |
| Black Prince becomes ill and returns to England. | |
| Death of the Black Prince, one year before his father, Edward III. |
Other Resources
Image Links | ||
|---|---|---|
 Edward III and the Black Prince in Stories from English History |
 The Black Prince at the dead body of the King of Bohemia in Famous Men of the Middle Ages |
Coin with the likness of Edward the Black Prince in armor in Back Matter |
The King made the Black Prince a Knight of the Order of the Garter. in Our Island Story |
 Warwick's messenger asking for aid to be sent to the Black Prince in Stories from English History |
 The French King brought prisoner to the Black Prince after Poitiers in Stories from English History |
 The Black Prince at Crecy. in Ten Boys from History |
 Tomb of the Black Prince, in Canterbury Cathedral. (His helmet, shield, and shirt of mail are shown in European Hero Stories |
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| Reigned for nearly 50 years. Invaded France, and won the Battles of Crecy and Calias. | |
| Wife of Edward III and mother of 13. Intervened at siege of Calias in favor of citizens. | |
| Pedro of Castile | King of Castile with reputation as dishonorable, murderous tyrant. Eventually deposed by half-brother Henry Trastamara. |
| Philip VI of France | King of France at the beginning of the Hundred year War. Defeated by Edward III at Calais |
| King John of France | King of France, defeated at the battle of Poitiers. Died while imprisoned in England awaiting a ransom. |