Edward of Angoulême, English noble (d. 1370)

Edward of Angoulême: A Pivotal Life in the English Line of Succession

Edward of Angoulême, born on 27 January 1365, was a figure of immense dynastic importance despite his tragically brief life, which concluded around 20 September 1370. As the eldest son of the renowned Edward, Prince of Wales – famously known as "the Black Prince" – and Joan, Countess of Kent, he held a crucial position as second in line to the throne of the Kingdom of England. His untimely death at the tender age of five irrevocably altered the course of English royal succession, paving the way for his younger brother, Richard II, to ascend the throne.

Birth and Royal Lineage

Edward's birth in Angoulême, a significant city within the Duchy of Aquitaine (Gascony), a dominion of the English Crown in southwestern France, underscored the expansive reach of the Plantagenet empire during the height of the Hundred Years' War. His father, Edward of Woodstock, the Black Prince, was a revered military commander and the eldest son of King Edward III, heir apparent to the English throne. The Black Prince earned his enduring moniker, though its exact origin is debated, possibly from his distinctive black armour or shield, and was celebrated for victories like Crécy and Poitiers. Edward's mother was Joan, Countess of Kent, often called "the Fair Maid of Kent" for her beauty. Her lineage connected her directly to the royal house as a granddaughter of King Edward I, adding further legitimacy and prestige to Edward of Angoulême's birth within the illustrious House of Plantagenet, which ruled England from 1154.

A Princely Arrival Amidst War

The birth of Edward of Angoulême, a male heir, was an event of profound political and dynastic significance, particularly given the ongoing Anglo-French conflict of the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453). This period of intermittent warfare was marked by English claims to the French throne. Therefore, the arrival of a healthy male heir for the Prince of Wales was celebrated with extraordinary luxury and grandeur. These celebrations, orchestrated by his father, likely involved lavish feasts, tournaments, and jousts, reflecting the joy and strategic importance of securing the Plantagenet line. Notably, even Charles V of France, the reigning monarch of England's primary adversary, extended congratulations, a testament to the diplomatic etiquette and a shared recognition of the birth's monumental significance for European royalty, despite the prevailing hostilities.

A Brief Life and Its Dynastic Impact

Edward's life, though brief, had monumental consequences for English history. He succumbed to illness, possibly the plague or another common childhood ailment of the era, around 20 September 1370, dying at the remarkably young age of five. This premature death, a common tragedy in the medieval period due to limited medical knowledge and prevalent diseases, instantly elevated his younger brother, Richard of Bordeaux, born on 6 January 1367, to the position of second in line to the English throne. At the time of Edward of Angoulême's passing, Richard was merely three years old, thrust into a position of unexpected prominence.

Richard II's Ascent and Enduring Legacy

The sudden shift in the line of succession proved decisive. Just six years after Edward of Angoulême's death, the Black Prince himself passed away prematurely in June 1376, predeceasing his own father, King Edward III. This event meant that the young Richard, then only nine years old, became the heir apparent to his grandfather, King Edward III, bypassing his uncles. Upon Edward III's death in June 1377, Richard of Bordeaux ascended the throne as King Richard II. Richard demonstrated a profound sense of fraternal duty and remembrance towards his elder brother. He ordered the relocation of Edward's tomb from Angoulême Cathedral in France to the prestigious Westminster Abbey, the traditional burial place for English monarchs, ensuring his brother's place within the royal necropolis. Furthermore, it is widely believed that Edward of Angoulême is depicted on the iconic Wilton Diptych, a masterpiece of late medieval English art commissioned by Richard II. This portable devotional artwork portrays Richard II kneeling before the Virgin and Child, accompanied by three saints, with one of the attendant angels, who wears a small golden brooch depicting a white hart (Richard II's personal emblem), thought by some scholars to bear a striking resemblance to images of the young Edward, suggesting a poignant personal commemoration by the king for his lost elder brother.

Frequently Asked Questions about Edward of Angoulême

Who was Edward of Angoulême in relation to the English throne?

Edward of Angoulême was the eldest son of Edward, the Black Prince, and thus was second in line to the throne of the Kingdom of England, after his father, before his premature death.

Who were Edward of Angoulême's parents?

His parents were Edward, Prince of Wales, famously known as "the Black Prince," and Joan, Countess of Kent, also known as "the Fair Maid of Kent."

Why was Edward of Angoulême's birth so significant?

His birth was highly significant because he was a healthy male heir for the Prince of Wales during the Hundred Years' War, securing the direct line of succession for the Plantagenet dynasty. It was celebrated luxuriously even by adversaries like Charles V of France.

How did Edward of Angoulême's death impact royal succession?

His death at age five made his younger brother, Richard of Bordeaux, the new second in line to the throne. This ultimately led to Richard's ascension as King Richard II, as he became heir apparent after their father, the Black Prince, died before King Edward III.

How did King Richard II commemorate his brother, Edward of Angoulême?

Richard II ordered the relocation of Edward's tomb from Angoulême to Westminster Abbey. Additionally, it is strongly suggested by art historians that Edward of Angoulême is depicted as one of the angels in the famous Wilton Diptych, a personal testament to Richard's remembrance of his older brother.