Banquet of the Five Kings facts for kids
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The Banquet of the Five Kings was a special meeting that happened in 1363. Five kings from different countries came together in London, England. This important event was organized by Sir Henry Picard, who was a very important person in London at the time, like a mayor.
The five kings who attended this grand banquet were:
- Peter I of Cyprus, the King of Cyprus
- Edward III of England, the King of England
- David II of Scotland, the King of Scotland
- John II of France, the King of France
- Valdemar IV of Denmark, the King of Denmark
The banquet was held at the hall of the Vintners' Company in the City of London. The Vintners' Company is a very old group of people who worked with wine. They were the hosts for this amazing royal gathering.
A Royal Gathering in London
Imagine five powerful kings from different parts of Europe all meeting in one place! This was a very rare and important event in the 14th century. Kings usually met to discuss peace, wars, or trade agreements. This banquet was a chance for them to talk, celebrate, and build relationships. It showed how important London was even back then.
Who Were the Five Kings?
Each king ruled a significant country in Europe during the 1300s.
- King Peter I of Cyprus was known for his efforts to start a new crusade to the Holy Land. He traveled a lot to gain support from other European rulers.
- King Edward III of England was a powerful ruler who led England during the early parts of the Hundred Years' War with France.
- King David II of Scotland had a challenging reign, often dealing with conflicts with England. He was also Edward III's brother-in-law.
- King John II of France was captured by the English during the Hundred Years' War and was in England at the time of the banquet.
- King Valdemar IV of Denmark was a strong king who worked hard to bring his country back together after a period of decline.
The Vintners' Company as Hosts
The Vintners' Company is one of the oldest and most respected groups in London. They have been involved in the wine trade for centuries. Hosting such an important event with five kings showed their wealth and influence. It was a huge honor for them to welcome so many royal guests to their hall. This banquet was a memorable occasion for everyone involved, especially for the people of London.
