Mary of Waltham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mary of Waltham |
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Mary of Waltham, relief sculpture, detail from monument to Edward III in Westminster Abbey
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| Duchess consort of Brittany | |
| Tenure | 1361–1362 |
| Born | 10 October 1344 Waltham, Hampshire |
| Died | September 1361 (aged 16) |
| Burial | Abingdon Abbey, Berkshire |
| Spouse | |
| House | House of Plantagenet |
| Father | King Edward III of England |
| Mother | Philippa of Hainault |
Mary of Waltham (born October 10, 1344 – died September 1361) was an English princess. She was a daughter of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault. Mary married John IV, Duke of Brittany. This made her the Duchess consort of Brittany. John was also known as "John V" or "The Conqueror" in England.
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Early Life and Royal Connections
Mary was born at Bishop's Waltham Palace in Hampshire on October 10, 1344. Even as a baby, her future husband, John, was already living with her family. He stayed in the royal nursery with Mary's brothers and sisters. This was part of her father King Edward III's plan to make strong friends. He wanted allies to support his claim to the French throne.
The Hundred Years' War Begins
A few years before Mary was born, a big war started. This was the Hundred Years' War. It began when the King of France tried to take back a French region called Guyenne (or Aquitaine) from Edward III. To fight back, King Edward used his army and made alliances. He also used marriages to strengthen his claim to be the King of France.
An Important Alliance with Brittany
King Edward III wanted to control the French region of Brittany. This was because it had an important port called Brest. English soldiers could use this port. So, Edward supported a man named John of Montfort in a dispute over who should rule Brittany.
When John of Montfort was captured, his wife, Joanna of Flanders, took over the fight. King Edward sent soldiers to help her during a battle at Rennes. In return for his help, Joanna promised her son, also named John, to one of Edward's daughters. This son later became John IV, Duke of Brittany.
Childhood at Court
After the battle, Joanna visited England in 1342. She left her son John with King Edward for safety. John stayed in the royal nursery. Queen Philippa, Mary's mother, took care of him when his own mother became ill. When John's father died in 1345, King Edward III became John's official guardian.
Mary was considered engaged to John from the time she was born. So, at just one year old, she was already known as the Duchess of Brittany. Mary and John grew up together. They lived in many royal palaces like the Tower of London, Woodstock, and Eltham.
Life as a Princess
Mary and her younger sister Margaret did not get to visit family as much as their older brothers and sisters. They also received less pocket money. There is only one record of Mary leaving the royal court. She visited her brother John of Gaunt and his wife Blanche. This visit was cut short when their uncle died from the plague.
Marriage and Later Life
Mary married John at Woodstock Palace around July 3, 1361. We don't have many details about the wedding itself. However, we do know about her wedding dress. It was a gift from her father, the King.
The dress was made from two types of fancy cloth of gold. It also had a very long cloak. This cloak was lined with 600 pieces of soft fur and 40 ermine furs. These furs were a gift from the King of France.
Life After Marriage
Even after they were married, Mary and John stayed at the English court. They were planning to move to Brittany later. There, they would live as the Duke and Duchess. However, Mary became very ill just a few months after her wedding. She developed a "lethargic disease" and sadly died before September 13, 1361. She was only 16 years old.
Mary never had the chance to visit Brittany. Her younger sister Margaret also died shortly after. Both sisters were buried at Abingdon Abbey. Queen Philippa ordered a tomb to be built for them. King Edward also had special windows made in their memory at King's Langley Priory. Mary and John did not have any children.
