Edmund, 2nd Earl of Cornwall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edmund of Almain
Earl of Cornwall
Predecessor	Richard, 1st Earl
Born	26 December 1249 Berkhamsted Castle, Hertfordshire, England
Died	bef. 25 September 1300 (aged 50)
Burial	Heart & Flesh: Ashridge, Hertfordshire Bones: 23 March 1301 Hailes Abbey, Gloucestershire
Spouse	Margaret de Clare
House	Plantagenet
Father	Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall
Mother	Sanchia of Provence

Edmund of Almain (born December 26, 1249 – died 1300) was an important English nobleman. He became the second Earl of Cornwall in 1272. An Earl was a powerful title, meaning he controlled a large area of land and had a lot of influence.

Edmund also served as a regent for the Kingdom of England from 1286 to 1289. A regent is someone who rules a country when the king or queen is too young, sick, or away. He was also the High Sheriff of Cornwall from 1289 until his death. This role meant he was in charge of law and order in Cornwall.

Who Was Edmund's Family?

Edmund was born at Berkhamsted Castle on December 26, 1249. His father was Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall, who was the brother of King Henry III. This made Edmund the king's nephew! His mother was Sanchia of Provence. She was the sister of Eleanor of Provence, who was King Henry III's wife. So, Edmund was related to the royal family in many ways.

Edmund was named after Saint Edmund of Abingdon. He was baptized by his mother's uncle, Boniface of Savoy, Archbishop of Canterbury.

What Happened in Edmund's Early Life?

In 1257, Edmund traveled to Germany with his parents. His father, Richard, had a claim to be the king of the Holy Roman Empire. They returned to England in 1259.

In 1264, a big battle happened called the Battle of Lewes. Edmund's father was captured during this battle. Edmund was held prisoner with his father at Kenilworth Castle. They were set free in September 1265.

Edmund and his father went back to Germany in 1268. There, they supposedly got a special relic (a holy object) believed to be a drop of the blood of Jesus Christ. This relic was said to have belonged to Charlemagne, a famous emperor. They returned to England in 1269. Edmund reportedly gave parts of this relic to Hailes Abbey and Ashridge Priory.

In 1271, Edmund planned to join a crusade with his cousin, Edmund Crouchback, 1st Earl of Lancaster. A crusade was a religious war to take back the Holy Land. However, a sad event stopped him. His older half-brother, Henry of Almain, was killed in Italy. The King ordered Edmund to return to England and not continue on the crusade.

How Did Edmund Become Earl of Cornwall?

Edmund's father, Richard, died on April 2, 1272. After his father's death, Edmund became the new Earl of Cornwall. He promised his loyalty to the king for his father's lands.

In July 1272, Edmund leased the town of Leicester from his cousin, Edmund Crouchback. On October 6, 1272, Edmund married Margaret de Clare at Ruislip. A week later, on October 13, King Henry III knighted Edmund at Westminster Abbey. He officially received his father's titles and became the Earl of Cornwall. Even though his father's claim to the German crown ended, Edmund still called himself 'Edmund of Almain' or 'Edmund earl of Cornwall, son of Richard the king of Germany'.

What Was Edmund's Role in Royal Service?

When King Henry III died in November 1272, Edmund became part of the governing council in England. He was one of the people who wrote to Edward I to tell him about his father's death.

Edmund had a lot of money from his father. He started lending money to important people at court, including the king. In 1273, he traveled to France to meet Edward I. He was also present at Edward's coronation. In 1277, he joined Edward's military trip to Wales with his knights.

In 1279, Edmund was appointed to a special council. This council governed England when King Edward and Queen Eleanor traveled to France. Edmund also lent the king money to help with a new coin system.

Between 1282 and 1284, Edmund served as Edward I's representative in the government. This was while the king was fighting in Wales. He helped collect money for a planned crusade and managed royal estates.

Edmund as Regent of England

From May 1286 to August 1289, King Edward I was away from England. He was in France to deal with problems in Gascony. During this time, Edmund acted as the regent of England. This meant he was in charge of running the country.

In 1287, a rebellion started in Wales. A Welsh leader named Rhys ap Maredudd captured Llandovery Castle. Edmund successfully put down this rebellion. He even captured Dryslwyn Castle in September. Edmund paid for this military campaign with large loans from Italian merchants.

When King Edward returned to England, he investigated how the government had been run in his absence. Many officials were punished, but Edmund was pardoned for any mistakes. He was also allowed to answer complaints about his work in Cornwall by sending someone else in his place. He served as High Sheriff of Cornwall from 1289 to 1300.

Edmund's Connection to the Church

In 1288, Edmund had a chapel built in Abingdon. It was built to honor St Edmund Rich. The monks there saw Edmund as a kind and helpful protector. They agreed to have two priests say prayers for Edmund and his family in the chapel.

In 1289, he visited Oxford for a special ceremony. King Edward I even spent Christmas of 1290 at Edmund's home in Ashridge. They also held a parliament there to discuss important matters about Scotland.

Edmund's loans were very important to the Crown. He lent King Edward thousands of pounds over the years. In 1296, the king entrusted prisoners captured in Scotland to Edmund's castles at Wallingford and Berkhamsted.

In 1297, Edmund was called to Gascony. Later that year, he promised the output from his mines in Cornwall and Devon to help repay the king's debts. He also served as an advisor to the king's son, Edward, who was governing England while his father was away. By 1299, the Crown still owed Edmund a lot of money.

When Did Edmund Die?

Edmund's health started to decline in his later years. He was granted permission to make a will in July 1297. By 1300, he was very ill.

The exact date Edmund died is not known. However, it was before September 25, 1300. On that day, King Edward I ordered prayers to be said for the late earl. The next day, royal officials took control of Edmund's estates.

Edmund's heart and flesh were buried at Ashridge. The king's son, Edward, attended this burial. On March 23, 1301, Edmund's bones were buried at Hailes Abbey. King Edward I himself was present at this ceremony.

Since Edmund had no children, all his lands and wealth went back to the Crown. His widow received a dower, which was a portion of his estate for her support.

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  Edmund, 2nd Earl of Cornwall