Alianore Holland, Countess of March facts for kids

Alianore Holland, Countess of March (also spelled Eleanor) was an important noblewoman in medieval England. She was born on October 13, 1370, and passed away in October 1405. Alianore was the oldest daughter of Thomas Holland, 2nd Earl of Kent. She married Roger Mortimer, 4th Earl of March, who was a potential heir to the throne after her uncle, King Richard II.

Through her daughter, Anne Mortimer, Alianore became the great-grandmother of two future kings of England: Edward IV and Richard III. These kings belonged to the Yorkist family. Alianore also served as a special guardian, or "governess," for King Richard II's wife, Isabella of Valois.

Her Family Connections

Alianore Holland was born in Upholland, Lancashire. Her father was Thomas Holland, 2nd Earl of Kent. Her mother was Lady Alice FitzAlan.

Alianore's paternal grandmother was Joan of Kent. Joan was also the mother of King Richard II. This made Alianore's father the king's half-brother. So, Alianore was King Richard II's niece!

She also had famous aunts. One was Queen Anne of Bohemia, wife of King Richard II. The other was Queen Isabella of Valois, who also married King Richard II later.

Alianore had many brothers and sisters:

• Thomas Holland, 1st Duke of Surrey
• John Holland
• Richard Holland
• Edmund Holland, 4th Earl of Kent
• Joan Holland
• Eleanor Holland (who married Thomas Montacute, 4th Earl of Salisbury)
• Margaret Holland
• Elizabeth Holland
• Anne Holland
• Bridget (who became a nun)

Her Marriages and Children

Alianore Holland was married two times during her life.

First Marriage

Around October 7, 1388, Alianore married Roger Mortimer, 4th Earl of March. He was about 13 years old at the time. Roger was a very important young noble. He was the son and heir of Edmund Mortimer, 3rd Earl of March. Roger was also a great-grandson of King Edward III.

Roger Mortimer had a strong claim to the English throne. This was because his mother, Philippa, 5th Countess of Ulster, was a descendant of King Edward III's second surviving son. Since King Richard II had no children, Roger was considered next in line to the throne by many. This claim later helped the Yorkist family take the throne.

Sadly, Roger Mortimer died on July 20, 1398. He was only 24 years old. He was killed in a small fight in Ireland. King Richard II later went to Ireland to get revenge for Roger's death.

Alianore and Roger had four children together:

• Edmund Mortimer, 5th Earl of March: He was the oldest son and heir. After King Henry IV took the throne from King Richard II, Edmund and his brother Roger were kept under watch. This was because their claim to the throne was seen as a threat.
• Roger Mortimer (born 1393)
• Anne Mortimer: She and her sister Eleanor were cared for by their mother. Anne married Richard of Conisburgh, 3rd Earl of Cambridge.
• Eleanor Mortimer: She married Sir Edward de Courtenay but did not have any children.

Second Marriage

Before June 19, 1399, Alianore married Edward Charleton, 5th Baron Cherleton. He was a Welsh noble who controlled lands near the border with Wales.

Alianore and Edward had two daughters:

• Joan Charleton: She married John Grey, 1st Earl of Tankerville.
• Joyce Charleton: She married John Tiptoft, 1st Baron Tiptoft.

Her Death

Alianore died in October 1405. She passed away during childbirth. She was buried at Bisham Priory in England.