Eleanor de Bohun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eleanor de Bohun |
|
|---|---|
| Duchess of Gloucester, Duchess of Aumale, Countess of Buckingham and Countess of Essex | |
Arms of Eleanor de Bohun.
|
|
| Born | 1365 or 1366 |
| Died | 3 October 1399 (aged 32 or 33) |
| Burial | Westminster Abbey, London |
| Spouse | Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester |
| Issue more... |
Humphrey, 2nd Earl of Buckingham Anne of Gloucester Joan, Lady Talbot Isabel Philippa |
| Noble family | Bohun |
| Father | Humphrey de Bohun, 7th Earl of Hereford |
| Mother | Joan Fitzalan |
Eleanor de Bohun (born around 1366 – died 3 October 1399) was an important noblewoman in medieval England. She was the older daughter of Humphrey de Bohun, 7th Earl of Hereford and Joan Fitzalan. Her mother, Joan, was the daughter of Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel. Eleanor also had a younger sister named Mary de Bohun.
Eleanor's Marriage
In 1376, Eleanor married Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester. Thomas was a very important person. He was the youngest son of Edward III of England, who was the King, and Philippa of Hainault, the Queen.
After they got married, Eleanor and Thomas lived at Pleshey Castle in Essex, England. Eleanor's younger sister, Mary, also lived with them for a time. Mary was taught about religious life, which was common for noble daughters at the time.
Eleanor's Children
Eleanor and Thomas had five children together. Their children were:
- Humphrey, 2nd Earl of Buckingham (born around 1381 or 1382 – died 2 September 1399)
- Anne of Gloucester (born around 1383 – died 1438). She married three times. Her third husband was William Bourchier.
- Joan (born 1384 – died 16 August 1400). She married Gilbert Talbot, 5th Baron Talbot.
- Isabel (born 12 March 1385 or 1386 – died April 1402). She became a Minoress, which is a type of nun. Later, she became an abbess, who is the head of a group of nuns, at a religious house near Aldgate.
- Philippa (born around 1388). She died when she was young.
Life and Legacy
Eleanor de Bohun was given a special honor in 1384. She became a Lady of the Garter. The Order of the Garter is a very old and important group of knights and ladies in England.
Sometime after 1397, Eleanor became a nun at Barking Abbey. Before she passed away, Eleanor made sure to divide her lands and wealth among her children. She died on 3 October 1399 and was buried in Westminster Abbey in London. Westminster Abbey is a famous church where many important people from British history are buried.
Eleanor in Stories
Eleanor de Bohun appears in some fictional works.
- She is briefly in a historical romance novel called Katherine by Anya Seton. This book is about the life of Eleanor's sister-in-law, Katherine Swynford.
- Eleanor also appears in Shakespeare's play Richard II. In the play, she tries to convince John of Gaunt to get revenge for her husband's death.
