Duke of Clarence facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dukedom of Clarence
Arms of George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence (third creation): Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France modern, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent each point charged with a canton Gules
Creation date	1362 (first creation) 1412 (second creation) 1461 (third creation)
Monarch	Edward III (first creation) Henry IV (second creation) Edward IV (third creation)
Peerage	Peerage of England
First holder	Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence
Last holder	Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale
Subsidiary titles	First creation: Earl of Ulster Second creation: Earl of Aumale Third creation: Earl of Warwick Earl of Salisbury
Extinction date	1368 (first creation) 1421 (second creation) 1478 (third creation)

The Duke of Clarence was a special title given to important people, usually princes, in England. This title was created three different times in the Peerage of England. A "peerage" is a system of noble titles, like Duke or Earl.

Other similar titles were also created, like Duke of Clarence and St Andrews and Duke of Clarence and Avondale. These titles were often given to younger members of the English and later British royal family. All these titles no longer exist today.

What is the Dukedom of Clarence?

The title of Duke of Clarence was a high-ranking noble title in England. It was given to close relatives of the King. The name "Clarence" comes from the town and castle of Clare in Suffolk, England. This area was once owned by a very important family called the de Clare family.

History of the Dukes of Clarence

The title of Duke of Clarence was created three times for different princes. Each time, the title ended when the Duke passed away without sons to inherit it, or for other reasons.

First Duke of Clarence (1362)

The very first Duke of Clarence was Lionel of Antwerp. He was the second son of King Edward III. Lionel received the title in 1362. He was also known as the Earl of Ulster.

Lionel married Elizabeth de Burgh, 4th Countess of Ulster. She was an heiress, meaning she inherited a lot of land, including the important area of Clare in Suffolk. This is how the title "Clarence" became linked to him.

Lionel of Antwerp, the first Duke of Clarence.

• Born: November 29, 1338, in Antwerp (now Belgium).
• Parents: King Edward III and Philippa of Hainault.
• Married: Elizabeth de Burgh (one child) and Violante Visconti (no children).
• Died: October 7, 1368, at age 29.

Lionel died without any sons, so the title of Duke of Clarence ended with him.

Second Duke of Clarence (1412)

The title was created again in 1412 for Thomas of Lancaster. He was the second son of King Henry IV. Thomas was also known as the Earl of Aumale.

Drawing of the tomb of Thomas of Lancaster, the second Duke of Clarence.

• Born: Autumn 1387.
• Parents: King Henry IV and Mary de Bohun.
• Married: Margaret Holland (no children).
• Died: March 22, 1421, at age 33, during the Battle of Baugé in France.

Thomas also died without any sons, so the title ended again.

Third Duke of Clarence (1461)

The last time the title was created in England was for George Plantagenet in 1461. George was the brother of King Edward IV. He also held the titles of Earl of Warwick and Earl of Salisbury.

George Plantagenet, the third Duke of Clarence.

• Born: October 21, 1449, in Dublin Castle, Ireland.
• Parents: Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York and Cecily Neville, Duchess of York.
• Married: Isabel Neville (four children).
• Died: February 18, 1478, at age 28, in the Tower of London.

George Plantagenet lost his title in 1478. This happened after he was found guilty of treason, which means he was disloyal to his brother, the King.

Other Planned Creations

There was a plan to create the title of Duke of Clarence a fourth time in England. This was for Lord Guilford Dudley, who was married to Lady Jane Grey. Lady Jane Grey was briefly Queen, and she wanted her husband to have a special title. However, she was removed from power before this could happen.

Similar Royal Titles

Later, two other "double dukedoms" were created for British princes:

• Duke of Clarence and St Andrews
• Duke of Clarence and Avondale

The title also appeared as an "earldom" (a lower noble rank than a dukedom) for Queen Victoria's son, Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany.

Earls of Clarence (1881)

• The Prince Leopold (1853–1884): He was the first Earl of Clarence and a son of Queen Victoria.
• Prince Charles Edward (1884–1954): He was Leopold's son. His British titles were taken away in 1919 because he fought against Britain in a war.

Duke of Clarence and St Andrews (1789)

William IV was known as "HRH The Duke of Clarence" from 1789 until he became King in 1830.

• William IV (1765–1837): He held this title before he became King of the United Kingdom in 1830. When he became King, the title joined with the Crown.

Duke of Clarence and Avondale (1890)

• Prince Albert Victor (1864–1892): He was the first and only Duke of Clarence and Avondale.

Family Tree

Future of the Title

The title of Duke of Clarence is currently not being used. There was some talk that Prince Harry might receive this title when he married Meghan Markle. However, he was given the title of Dukedom of Sussex instead.