Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry
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| Earl of Lancaster and Leicester | |
Later arms of Henry of Lancaster: The royal arms of King Henry III a label France of three points
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| Earl of Lancaster and Leicester | |
| Predecessor | Thomas, 2nd Earl |
| Successor | Henry of Grosmont |
| Born | c. 1281 |
| Died | 22 September 1345 Leicester Castle |
| Noble family | Plantagenet |
| Spouse(s) | Maud Chaworth |
| Issue Detail |
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| Father | Edmund Crouchback |
| Mother | Blanche of Artois |
Henry, 3rd Earl of Leicester and Lancaster (born around 1281 – died 22 September 1345) was an important English nobleman. He was the grandson of King Henry III of England and played a key role in removing King Edward II of England from power. Edward II was his first cousin.
Contents
Henry's Family Background
Henry was the younger son of Edmund Crouchback. Edmund was the 1st Earl of Lancaster and Leicester. He was also a son of King Henry III of England. Henry's mother was Blanche of Artois, who had been a queen in Navarre.
Henry's older brother, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, became Earl after their father died in 1296. Henry was called to Parliament in 1299. This meant he became a Baron, known as Baron Lancaster. He also took part in the Siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300.
Becoming Earl of Lancaster
Henry's brother Thomas often disagreed with King Edward II. Thomas even joined two rebellions against the King. In 1322, Thomas was found guilty of treason. He was executed, and his lands and titles were taken away.
Henry did not join his brother's rebellions. Later, he asked for his brother's lands and titles. In 1324, he was given the title of Earl of Leicester.
A few years later, in 1327, the new young king, Edward III of England, gave Henry even more. He returned the earldom of Lancaster to Henry. He also gave him other important lands.
Capturing the King
In 1326, King Edward II's wife, Queen Isabella, returned to England. She was with Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March. Henry joined their side against King Edward II. Many people stopped supporting the King. This led to the downfall of the King's powerful advisors.
Henry was sent to find King Edward II. He captured the King in Neath, in South Wales. Henry was then put in charge of keeping the King safe. He was responsible for the King's care at Kenilworth Castle.
Important Roles and Rewards
Henry was chosen to lead the group that advised the new young king, Edward III of England. He was also made captain-general of all the King's soldiers in the Scottish border areas. In 1327, he became the Constable of Lancaster Castle. He was also the High Sheriff of Lancashire.
Henry helped the young King Edward III end Roger Mortimer's power. Mortimer had been ruling England. In 1330, Mortimer was declared a traitor and executed.
Later Life and Death
Around 1330, Henry became blind. He spent the last fifteen years of his life at Leicester Castle.
While there, he started a hospital for people who were poor or sick. This hospital was built next to the castle. It became known as the Newarke. When Henry died in 1345, he was buried in the hospital's chapel. The King and Queen attended his funeral.
Henry's oldest son, Henry of Grosmont, became the next Earl of Lancaster and Leicester. Later, this son became the first Duke of Lancaster. Henry of Grosmont moved his father's remains. He placed them in a new church he built, called the Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady of the Newarke. This church improved his father's original hospital.
Henry's Nickname
Some old writings say Henry was nicknamed Wryneck. This means Tors-col in French. People think he might have had a medical condition that caused his neck to be twisted.
Henry's Children
Henry married Maud Chaworth before March 1297.
Henry and Maud had seven children:
- Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster (born around 1310 – died 1361)
- Blanche of Lancaster, Baroness Wake of Liddell (born around 1305 – died around 1380). She married Thomas Wake, 2nd Baron Wake of Liddell.
- Maud of Lancaster (born around 1310 – died 1377). She married twice and had children from both marriages.
- Joan of Lancaster (born around 1312 – died 1345). She married John de Mowbray, 3rd Baron Mowbray and had children.
- Isabel of Lancaster, Abbess of Amesbury (born around 1317 – died after 1347)
- Eleanor of Lancaster (born around 1318 – died 1371 or 1372). She married twice and had children.
- Mary of Lancaster (born around 1320 – died 1362). She married Henry de Percy, 3rd Baron Percy. She was the mother of Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland and had children.
Henry's Coat of Arms
Before he got his earldoms back, Henry used a special version of the royal arms of King Henry III. It had a blue stripe across it. After he became Earl again, his coat of arms changed. It then showed a "label of three points France." This means it had a blue band with three gold fleurs-de-lys on each point.
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His shield before he got his titles back.
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His shield as Earl of Lancaster and Leicester.
Henry in Stories
Henry is a character in Les Rois maudits (which means The Accursed Kings). This is a series of French historical novels by Maurice Druon. He was played by William Sabatier in the 1972 TV show based on the books. He was also played by Romain Rondeau in the 2005 TV show.
See also
In Spanish: Enrique de Lancaster para niños
