Alphonso, Earl of Chester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alphonso |
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Alphonso as portrayed in an early 14th c. genealogical roll of the kings of England
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| Born | 24 November 1273 Bayonne, Gascony, France |
| Died | 19 August 1284 (aged 10) Windsor Castle, Berkshire, England |
| Burial | 26 August 1284 Westminster Abbey, London, England |
| House | Plantagenet |
| Father | Edward I of England |
| Mother | Eleanor of Castile |
Alphonso (born November 24, 1273 – died August 19, 1284) was a young English prince. He was expected to become king one day. He was also known as Alphonsus or Alphonse and held the title of Earl of Chester. Sadly, he passed away at the age of ten, so he never became king.
Prince Alphonso: A Royal Story
Early Life and Family
Alphonso was the ninth child of King Edward I and his wife, Queen Eleanor. Queen Eleanor came from Castile, a region in Spain.
He was born in Bayonne, a town in Gascony, France. Gascony was a duchy, or territory, that belonged to England at the time.
His parents named him after his mother's brother, King Alphonso X of Castile. This was a special choice because the name was not common in England. King Alphonso X even became young Prince Alphonso's godfather.
Alphonso had two older brothers, John and Henry. Both of them passed away before him. This meant Alphonso became the only son of King Edward I and Queen Eleanor for most of his life.
Because his parents often traveled, Alphonso had his own royal household. Queen Eleanor cared deeply about her son's upbringing. He even had a Spanish cook!
A Royal Engagement
When Alphonso was ten years old, he was engaged to be married. His future wife was Margaret, the daughter of Floris V, Count of Holland.
A beautiful book called a psalter was being made for their wedding. A psalter is a book of psalms, which are religious songs or poems. This psalter had special pictures of Alphonso's and Margaret's family coats of arms.
Sadly, Alphonso became ill and died a few months before the wedding could happen.
His Legacy
King Edward I and Queen Eleanor were very sad about their son's death. Alphonso passed away at Windsor Castle in England.
His death happened shortly after his younger brother, Edward, was born. Edward then became the oldest living son of King Edward I. He later became King Edward II.
Alphonso was buried in Westminster Abbey in London. This is a famous church where many kings and queens are buried. His heart was buried separately at a place called Blackfriars in London, which is now destroyed.
The special book, the Alphonso Psalter, was finished about ten years later. This was because Alphonso's sister, Elizabeth, married Margaret's brother, John I, Count of Holland. So, the family coats of arms in the book were still a good match!
As princes who were expected to become king, both Alphonso and Edward had special symbols on their family coats of arms. They used the royal arms of England, but with a blue label to show they were heirs.
