Edward of Woodstock (1330-1376 CE), better known as the Black Prince after his distinctive armour or martial reputation, was the eldest son of Edward III of England (r. 1327-1377 CE). Made the Prince of Wales in 1343 CE, Edward would fight with distinction at both of England's great victories against the French during the first phase of the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453 CE): Crécy in 1346 CE and Poitiers in 1356 CE when he captured the king of France. Another famous victory would come at Najera in Spain in 1367 CE, but illness struck the prince down before he could be crowned the great king everyone hoped he would become. Edward died, probably of dysentery, on 8 June 1376 CE. He was buried in Canterbury Cathedral where his effigy and original black helmet and shield are still hung on display.
More about: Edward the Black PrinceDefinition
Timeline
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15 Jun 1330Edward the Black Prince, eldest son of Edward III of England, is born.
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Mar 1337Edward the Black Prince is made the Duke of Cornwall giving him significant revenues from the duchy.
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1343Edward of Woodstock, aka Edward the Black Prince, is made the Prince of Wales by his father Edward III of England.
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12 Jul 1346Edward the Black Prince is knighted by his father Edward III of England.
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26 Aug 1346Edward III of England and his son Edward the Black Prince win a great battle against Philip VI of France at Crécy in France.
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Jul 1347Edward III of England and his son Edward the Black Prince capture the Fench city of Calais after a long siege.
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Jan 1350Edward the Black Prince leads a successful defence of Calais against a French attack.
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19 Sep 1356Edward the Black Prince wins a great victory at the Battle of Poitiers against the French. John II of France is captured.
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1359Edward III of England and Edward the Black Prince march on Rheims but the French city holds out.
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1361Edward the Black Prince marries Joan of Kent.
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1362Edward the Black Prince is made the Prince of Aquitaine by his father Edward III of England.
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6 Jan 1367Birth of Richard, eldest son of Edward the Black Prince and future Richard II of England.
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3 Apr 1367Edward the Black Prince famously wins the Battle of Najera in Castile.
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1370Edward the Black Prince retakes Limoges from the French and executes 3,000 innocents.
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1371Edward the Black Prince returns to England.
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1372 - 1375Charles V of France recaptures most of the territory previously gained by Edward III of England leaving the English only Gascony and Calais.
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8 Jun 1376Death of Edward the Black Prince, eldest son of Edward III of England.
