Medieval History

My previous post on the War of the Roses made me want to go a little further back in time, so I chose to do a little more research on Edward Prince of Wales or, more recently, “‘The Black Prince.”  I have to sorrowfully admit it was the catchy name that, well, caught my attention. Much to my disappointment, however, it is highly unlikely that Edward was ever referred to as The Black Prince during his lifetime.

The title “Black Prince” first came about in Richard Grafton’s “Chronicle of England” (1568). It is believed that the name originally derived from an ornate black cuirass presented to him by Edward III at the Battle of Crecy. It is also suggested that his coat of arms used during tournaments could be the reason for the name. The coat of arms is black with three white ostrich feathers.

The Black Prince was born June 15, 1330, and died June 8, 1376. Early in his life he was named Edward of Woodstock (where he was born). Edward became a well established and accomplished military leader and was largely popular with his people. He was viewed as both very chivalrous and a ruthless military commander. His chivalrous side can be seen in light of his capture of John the Good, then King of France. According to reports, John was treated with great respect, and the two would talk over coming battles against each other in the hopes of one day achieving peace.

One view of Edward, however, was not so sophisticated. Edward was an ardent believer in the chevauchee strategy within his military campaign. This strategy involved burning and pillaging the French towns and farms in his path. While this is not the most honorable method of warfare, it was an effective way to put noticeable pressure on the economy and morale of his French opponents. This is another reminder that war in the middle ages, much as it is today, had far-reaching effects that concerned much more than the soldiers fighting it.

 

The Black Prince died at the age of 45 while his father was still king. However, he gave instructions to Edward III to make his son the Prince of Wales, who would become King Richard II of England. Like him or not, Edward’s behavior was no different than that of other knights and nobles at his time, and throughout the middle ages.

Sources:

Richard Barber, The Life and Campaigns of the Black Prince.

Barbara Tuchman, A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century, Alfred A. Knopf, New York City, 1978.