John, 3rd Earl of Kent, English nobleman (d. 1352)

John, Earl of Kent (born 7 April 1330, died 26 December 1352), was an English nobleman whose promising life and career, marked by significant royal connections and immense wealth, were tragically cut short at the young age of twenty-two. Holding the esteemed titles of Earl of Kent from 1331 to 1352 and the 4th Baron Wake of Liddell from 1349 until his death, John’s brief but impactful existence offers a poignant glimpse into the volatile world of 14th-century English aristocracy and politics.

Early Life and Royal Lineage

Born on 7 April 1330 at the historic Arundel Castle in Sussex, John's entry into the world was shadowed by profound political turmoil. He was the youngest son and a posthumous child of Edmund of Woodstock, the Earl of Kent, and his wife, Margaret Wake. This lineage immediately placed John within the heart of the English royal family, making him a cherished grandson of the formidable Edward I and a first cousin to the reigning monarch, Edward III. However, just three weeks before John's birth, his father, Edmund of Woodstock, had been executed for treason on 19 March 1330, a direct order from the powerful and often controversial Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March. This dark episode highlights the precarious nature of power during the early years of Edward III's reign. Once Edward III asserted his control over the government, the attainder on John's father, which had stripped the family of their honours, was swiftly reversed. Consequently, John's elder brother, Edmund, inherited the earldom. However, fate intervened once more when Edmund passed away in October 1331, making the infant John the new Earl of Kent. Throughout his life, his elder sister, Joan, remained his presumptive heir, a significant figure in her own right who would later play an even more prominent role in English history.

Military Service and Growing Influence

As John matured, he began to take on the responsibilities befitting his station. In 1346, he participated in the momentous campaign that culminated in the famous Battle of Crécy, a pivotal engagement during the Hundred Years' War that reshaped European warfare. While historical records do not specifically detail his personal military exploits during the battle itself, suggesting he might not have been on the front lines, it is highly probable he served within the retinue of the highly respected Duke Henry of Lancaster. This association placed him among the most influential figures of the English court and army. A year later, in 1347, King Edward III formally granted John his entire inheritance, bestowing upon him full independence from his mother at the relatively young age of seventeen. This marked John as a nobleman of considerable independent means. His vast holdings included an impressive forty-three manors and thirty advowsons (the right to appoint a clergyman) spread across seventeen English counties, alongside various rents and knight's fees in an additional six counties. His annual income at this time exceeded an astonishing £6,000. To put this into perspective, an annual income of just £1,000 was generally considered ample to maintain the opulent lifestyle of an earl, underscoring John's extraordinary wealth and influence.

Marriage and Further Inheritance

On 3 April 1348, John entered into a significant marriage, secured by a Papal dispensation, with Isabella of Jülich (also known as Elizabeth). Born around 1330, Isabella was the daughter of William V, Duke of Jülich, and Joanna, linking John to a prominent continental European noble house. This alliance was undoubtedly designed to bolster his standing and connections abroad. The year 1349 brought both personal loss and further accumulation of wealth to John. His uncle, Thomas Wake, 2nd Baron of Liddell, passed away childless. As a result, his extensive estates were inherited by his sister, John's mother, Margaret. However, tragedy struck quickly thereafter: Margaret herself succumbed to the devastating Black Death within a few months. This catastrophic plague, sweeping across Europe, claimed countless lives, and Margaret's death meant that John inherited not only her dower lands but also the substantial estates of his late uncle. He officially took possession of these new properties in February 1350. By 10 April 1351, just three days after officially coming of age, John received livery of all his lands from the king, a formal legal act confirming his undisputed ownership and control over his vast inheritance.

Untimely Demise and Legacy

The year 1352 marked a bittersweet moment for John’s family. His sister, Joan, gave birth to a son, who was named John Holland, likely in honour of his uncle, who probably served as his godfather. This event highlighted the continuing family line through Joan, especially as John’s own marriage to Isabella remained childless, meaning he had no direct heir to his titles. In December 1352, John was residing at his preferred manor in Woking. On the 23rd of that month, he executed one of his final recorded acts, granting the manor of Ryhall to Bartholomew de Burghersh. Shortly thereafter, he suddenly fell ill. Despite his youth and apparent vigor, he did not recover, passing away just three days later, on 26 December 1352. John was laid to rest beside his father in the church of Greyfriars at Winchester, a final resting place connecting him to his complex family history. With his death and the absence of direct heirs, his titles passed to his only surviving sister, Joan, who thus became the 4th Countess of Kent and the 5th Baroness Wake of Liddell suo jure (in her own right). His widow, Isabella, though childless, continued to be styled Countess of Kent as late as 1396, a testament to her marital status. She later entered Waverley Abbey and, before her own death on 6 June 1411, requested that she too be buried next to John at Greyfriars, seeking to join him in their final repose.

Frequently Asked Questions about John, Earl of Kent

Who was John, Earl of Kent?
John (7 April 1330 – 26 December 1352) was an English nobleman who held the titles of Earl of Kent and Baron Wake of Liddell. He was a grandson of King Edward I and a cousin of King Edward III, known for his vast wealth and promising but tragically short life.
What was John's connection to the English royal family?
He was the youngest son of Edmund of Woodstock, himself a son of King Edward I, making John a grandson of Edward I. This also made him a first cousin to the reigning monarch, Edward III.
How did John's father die?
John's father, Edmund of Woodstock, Earl of Kent, was executed for treason on 19 March 1330, by order of Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March, just three weeks before John's birth.
Did John, Earl of Kent, participate in any significant military campaigns?
Yes, he took part in the campaign that led to the Battle of Crécy in 1346, a crucial engagement of the Hundred Years' War. He was likely in the retinue of Duke Henry of Lancaster, though his specific exploits at the battle are not recorded.
Did John, Earl of Kent, have any children?
No, John's marriage to Isabella of Jülich remained childless throughout his life.
Who inherited John's titles and estates after his death?
Upon his death without direct heirs, his titles, including Earl of Kent and Baron Wake of Liddell, passed to his only surviving sister, Joan, who became Countess of Kent and Baroness Wake of Liddell suo jure.
What was the cause of John's mother, Margaret Wake's, death?
Margaret Wake, John's mother, tragically died of the Black Death within a few months of inheriting her brother Thomas Wake's estates in 1349.