Biography of Blanche Duchess of Lancaster 1342-1368
Paternal Family Tree: Anjou aka Plantagenet
Maternal Family Tree: Maud Saye 1155-1222
1361 Death of Henry of Grosmont
1361 Marriage of Edward "The Black Prince" and Joan "The Fair Maid of Kent"
1362 Edward III Creates two sons as Dukes
Around 1328 [her father] Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 18) and [her mother] Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster (age 8) were married. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan (age 49) and [her grandmother] Alice Comyn Baroness Beaumont. He the son of [her grandfather] Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster (age 47) and [her grandmother] Maud Chaworth. They were fourth cousins. He a great grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
On or before 25 Mar 1342 Blanche Duchess of Lancaster was born to Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 32) and Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster (age 22) at Bolingbroke Castle, Lincolnshire [Map]. The exact date of her birth uncertain. The Inquisition of her father in May 1361 refers to Blanche being "aged 19 years at the feast of the Annunciation last". The Feast of the Annunciation being the 25th of March so Blanche was born on or before the 25th of March 1342. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
On 19 May 1359, or thereabouts, a double-royal wedding celebration took place at Reading Abbey, Berkshire [Map] whereby two children of King Edward III of England (age 46) were married:
John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 19) and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 17) were married. She by marriage Countess Richmond. She the daughter of Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 49) and Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster (age 39). He the son of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England (age 44). They were half second cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
John Hastings 2nd Earl Pembroke (age 11) and Margaret Plantagenet Countess of Pembroke (age 12) were married. At the time John Hastings 2nd Earl Pembroke was a ward of King Edward III of England who would enjoy the benefit of the substantial revenue of the Earldom of Pembroke until John came of age nine years later in 1368. She died two or so years later probably of plague. She the daughter of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England. He the son of Laurence Hastings 1st Earl Pembroke and Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke (age 42). They were half fourth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King John of England.
On 31 Mar 1360 [her daughter] Philippa of Lancaster Queen Consort Portugal was born to [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 20) and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 18) at Leicester Castle [Map]. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 13 Apr 1360 a freak weather event known as Black Monday Hailstorm occurred as the army of [her father-in-law] King Edward III of England (age 47) were camped outside Chartres [Map]. Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 47), William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 50), [her father] Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 50), [her brother-in-law] Edward "Black Prince" (age 29) and Walter Mauny were present. Around one thousand English were killed, with up to six thousand horses. King Edward III of England believed the event to be an Act of God and proceeded to negotiate with the French resulting in the Treaty of Brétigny.
On 28 Apr 1360 Guy Beauchamp died from injuries received during the Black Monday Hailstorm.
Inquisitions Post Mortem 118. Writ, 25 March, 35 Edward III. Derby. Inq. taken at Melbum, 4 May, 35 Edward III.
Melbum. The castle and manor (extent given), held of the king in chief by service of a barony. The following field and place names occiu- in the extent : — le Oxlesewe, le Heye, le Bencheparrok, Trentford, le Feldyngbrugge, Russhegrenes, le Hok by Littehnedewebrok, le Hallefeld, Carreweye, le Oldefisshepol, Shallohed and Hervestwellefield. A custom called ' thisteltak ' is payable at Michaelmas. The duke gave to Ingram Fauconer, constable of Melbum castle, a yearly rent of £10. for life, to Amice wife of the said Ingram 5 marks yearly for life, to be increased to 10 marks after her husband's death should she survive him, to John le Fauconer 5 marks for life, to Ahce late the wife of Thomas le Beek a pasture called ' Thomyholm ' for life, and to William le Synger of Weston a pasture called 'le Hassokes' with 'le Puttes' for life. There is a custom called 'tolpottes.'
He held no other lands in the county and no knights' fees or advowsons of churches.
He died on Tuesday before Easter last. His daughters [her sister] Maud (age 20) lady of Henaud, aged 21 years on the feast of St. Ambrose last, and Blanche (age 18), lady of Richmond, aged 19 years at the feast of the Annunciation last, are his heirs.
On 23 Mar 1361 [her father] Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 51) died at Leicester Castle [Map]. He was buried at Church of the Annunciation of our Lady of the Newark [Map].
Duke Lancaster, Earl Lincoln extinct.
Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 18) succeeded 5th Countess Lancaster and 2nd Countess Derby. [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 21) by marriage Earl Lancaster, Earl Derby.
[her sister] Maud Plantagenet Duchess Lower Bavaria (age 20) succeeded 5th Countess of Leicester.
Inquisitions Post Mortem 118. Leicester. Inq. taken at Leycestre, Saturday after St. George, 35 Edward III.
Leycestre. The castle, manor and honor, held of the kmg in chief. The manor (extent given) includes £8 sterling from perquisites of 'portmonnesmot,' 106s. 8d. from perquisites of views of frankpledge of the town, 100s. from the assize of ale, 40s. from butchers' stalls, 10s. from rents of booths (seldarum) in the market, a watermill charged with 100s. yearly to Master Nicholas le Cok, a windmill, and a wood called 'le Frith.'
Hynkeleye. The manor (extent given), held of the king in chief as parcel of the above honor. The extent includes 4s from perquisites of halimotes and the reversion of a plot called the Castle and a carucate of land after the death of Joan Hastinges and John, her son. The manor is charged with a yearly rent of 10 marks to Richard de Schelton, knight, for life.
Schelton. The manor (extent given). The extent includes agistments in Tolou park and 3s. 4d. from perquisites of haUmotes. The manor is charged with lOZ. yearly for life to Peter de Melborne, 81. yearly for life to John Marreys, 40s. yearly for life to Nicholas Spicer, 30s. yearly for life to Robert Porter, 13s. 4rf. yearly for life to Hugh Cok, 13s. 4d. yearly for life to Richard Carters, and 100s. [yearly] for life to John de Claybroke.
Hynkeley. The manor is also charged with 10 marks yearly for life to John de Hastinges and 20s. yearly for life to Wilham de Stillinton.
Leyoestre. The manor is charged with 3Os. yearly for life to William Squiler, 30s. 5d. yearly for life to Beatrice, recluse there, 100s. yearly for life to Adam de Derby, 30s. yearly for life to Wilham Fauconer, 26s. 8d. yearly for life to John Knotting, 5 marks yearly for life to Wilham de Isham, clerk, 40s. yearly for life to John Hastinges, 91. [yearly] for ever to the prior of Ware, £7. 19s. 1½d. yearly to the brethren of the hospital of St. Leonard and their successors, 6L [yearly] to the abbot of Leycestre and his successors, 10s. yearly to the canons of St. Mary de Castro, 10s. yearly for ever to the master and brethren of Burton Lazars, 10s. yearly for ever to the nuns of Wroxale, 6s. 8d. [yearly] to the prior of Oselescroft, and 101s. 8d, yearly to the abbess of Preaux (de Pratellis) in Normandy.
Schelton. The manor is also charged with 62s. 2d. yearly to Walter de Legh for life.
Dersford. The manor (extent given). The extent includes 3s. from perquisites of halimotes, 10s. from herbage of a garden and of 'les Leyes' called 'le Grete,' and 30s. from the farm of a watermiU. The manor is charged with 100s. yearly to John Haward, receiver, for life, 20s. yearly to Simon del Halle for life, 305. yearly to Richard de Cravene for life, and 5 marks yearly to Walter de Irland for life.
There are in the county four views of frankpledge in the baihwick of Selby, four in that of Carleton, and two in that of Schulton. There are also two views yearly at Dersford, and two at Hynkeley. Of all these the duke died seised.
He died on Tuesday before the Annunciation last. [her sister] Maud (age 20) and Blanche (age 18) his daughters, aged respectively 22 years and more and 19 years and more, are his heirs.
On 10 Oct 1361 [her brother-in-law] Edward "Black Prince" (age 31) and Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 33) were married at Windsor Castle [Map]. She by marriage Princess of Wales. His first wife, her second (or third depending on how you count them) husband. She had four children already. They had known each other since childhood. Thirty-one and thirty-three respectively. A curious choice for the heir to the throne; foreign princesses were usual. They were married nearly fifteen years and had two children. She the daughter of Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent and Margaret Wake Countess Kent. He the son of [her father-in-law] King Edward III of England (age 48) and [her mother-in-law] Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England (age 47). They were half first cousin once removed. She a granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
In 1362 [her brother-in-law] Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York (age 20) was created 1st Earl Cambridge.
In 1362 [her son] John Lancaster was born to [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 21) and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 19). He a grandson of King Edward III of England.
On 10 Apr 1362 [her sister] Maud Plantagenet Duchess Lower Bavaria (age 22) died. Her sister Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 20) succeeded 6th Countess of Leicester. [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 22) by marriage Earl of Leicester adding a fourth Earldom to the ones he already held: Earl Richmond, Earl Lancaster and Earl Derby.
On 13 Nov 1362, his fiftieth birthday, [her father-in-law] King Edward III of England (age 50) created two sons as Dukes ...
[her brother-in-law] Lionel Plantagenet 1st Duke of Clarence (age 23) was created 1st Duke Clarence. Elizabeth Burgh Duchess of Clarence (age 30) by marriage Duchess Clarence.
[her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 22) was created 1st Duke Lancaster. Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 20) by marriage Duchess Lancaster.
Before 21 Feb 1363 [her daughter] Elizabeth Lancaster Duchess Exeter was born to [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 22) and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 20) at Burford, Shropshire [Map]. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 28 May 1363 John Harrington 2nd Baron Harington (age 35) died at Gleaston Castle [Map]. His son Robert Harrington 3rd Baron Harington (age 7) succeeded 3rd Baron Harington. Given his young age Robert Harrington 3rd Baron Harington became a ward of [her father-in-law] King Edward III of England (age 50) who granted his wardship to his daughter [her sister-in-law] Isabella Countess Bedford and Soissons (age 30) and her husband Enguerrand de Coucy 1st Earl Bedford 1st Count Soissons (age 23).
In 1365 [her son] Edward Lancaster was born to [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 24) and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 22). In 1365 Edward Lancaster died. He was buried at Church of the Annunciation of our Lady of the Newark [Map]. He a grandson of King Edward III of England.
On 27 Jul 1365 Enguerrand de Coucy 1st Earl Bedford 1st Count Soissons (age 25) and [her sister-in-law] Isabella Countess Bedford and Soissons (age 33) were married at Windsor Castle [Map]. She the daughter of [her father-in-law] King Edward III of England (age 52) and [her mother-in-law] Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England (age 51).
In 1366 [her son] John Lancaster was born to [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 25) and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 23). In 1367 John Lancaster died. He was buried at Church of the Annunciation of our Lady of the Newark [Map]. He a grandson of King Edward III of England.
In 1366 Enguerrand de Coucy 1st Earl Bedford 1st Count Soissons (age 26) was created 1st Earl Bedford. [her sister-in-law] Isabella Countess Bedford and Soissons (age 33) by marriage Countess Bedford.
In 1367 Enguerrand de Coucy 1st Earl Bedford 1st Count Soissons (age 27) was created 1st Count Soissons 1367. [her sister-in-law] Isabella Countess Bedford and Soissons (age 34) by marriage Countess Soissons 1367.
On 03 Apr 1367 the forces of Peter "Cruel" I King Castile (age 32) commanded by [her brother-in-law] Edward "Black Prince" (age 36) defeated the army of Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile (age 33) at the Battle of Nájera at Nájera [Map]. The English forces included [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 27), William Scrope, Peter Courtenay (age 21), John Devereux 1st Baron Devereux (age 30), John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 42), Bernard Brocas (age 37) and Thomas Banastre (age 33).
The forces of Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile included Bertrand Geusclin (age 47). The battle achieved little since Bertrand Geusclin escaped.
John Ferrers 4th Baron Ferrers of Chartley (age 36) was killed. His son Robert Ferrers 5th Baron Ferrers of Chartley (age 9) succeeded 5th Baron Ferrers of Chartley. Margaret Despencer Baroness Ferrers of Chartley by marriage Baroness Ferrers of Chartley.
Edward "Black Prince" thereafter returned home, taking Peter's daughters Constance (age 13) and Isabella (age 12) as hostages to ensure Peter would pay the money owed to Edward. Constance married John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster, Isabella married [her brother-in-law] Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York (age 25).
On 15 Apr 1367 [her son] King Henry IV of England was born to [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 27) and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 25) at Bolingbroke Castle, Lincolnshire [Map]. He a grandson of King Edward III of England.
In 1368 [her daughter] Isabel Lancaster was born to [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 27) and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 25). She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
Le Jolie Buisson de Jonece Lines 226-255.
| Je te pri; nomme nous au mains | I beg you; at least name for us |
| Les seignours que tu as véus | The lords you have known |
| Et dont tu as les biens éus | And from whom you have received good things, |
| Si prenderont leurs hoirs exemple. | So that their heirs may take example." |
| — Volontiers ! Premiers vous exemple | — "Willingly! First, take as an example |
| La bonne, qui pourist en terre, | The good lady, who now rests in the earth, |
| Qui fu royne d’Engleterre; | Who was Queen of England; |
| Phelippe ot nom la noble dame. | The noble lady was named Philippa. |
| Propisces li soit Diex à l’âme! | May God be gracious to her soul!" |
| J’en sui bien tenus de pryer | I am indeed bound to pray |
| Et ses largheces escryer, | And proclaim her generosity, |
| Car elle me fist et créa; | For she made and created me; |
| Ne onques voir ne s’effréa, | Nor did she ever truly shy away, |
| Ne ne fu son coer saoulés | Nor was her heart ever sated |
| De donner le sien à tous lés. | From giving her all in every way. |
| Aussi sa fille de Lancastre. | So, too, her daughter of Lancaster (age 25). |
| Haro! mettés moi une emplastre | Alas! Apply a balm to my heart, |
| Sus le coer, car, quant m’en souvient, | For, when I remember it, |
| Certes souspirer me convient | Surely I must sigh, |
| Tant sui plains de melancolie! | So full of melancholy am I! |
| Elle morut jone et jolie | She died young and fair, |
| Environ de vingt-et-deux ans, | Around the age of twenty-two, |
| Gaie, lie, friche, esbatans, | Merry, joyful, carefree, playful, |
| Douce, simple, d’humble samblance. | Sweet, simple, of humble appearance. |
| La bonne dame ot à nom Blanche. | The good lady was named Blanche. |
| J’ai trop perdu en ces deux dames; | I have lost too much in these two ladies; |
| J’en tors mes poins, j’en bac mes palmes. | I wring my hands, I beat my palms. |
| Encor ot la noble Royne | The noble Queen had also |
| Une fille de bonne orine | Another daughter of good lineage, |
| Ysabiel, et de Couci dame. | Isabel, and lady of Couci. |
