Maud of Lancaster, Countess of Ulster facts for kids

Maud of Lancaster (born around 1310 – died 5 May 1377) was an important English noblewoman. She was known as the Countess of Ulster. Maud was the wife of William Donn de Burgh, 3rd Earl of Ulster. She was also the mother of Elizabeth de Burgh, who later became the Countess of Ulster in her own right. After her first husband died, Maud married Sir Ralph de Ufford, who was a high-ranking official in Ireland. Later in her life, Maud chose to become a nun at an Augustinian convent in Suffolk, England.

Early Life and Family

Maud was born in about 1310. Her parents were Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster and Maud Chaworth. She had an older sister named Blanche. Maud also had four younger sisters: Joan, Isabel, Eleanor, and Mary.

Her only brother was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster. His daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, married John of Gaunt in 1359. Blanche and John of Gaunt later became the parents of King Henry IV. Maud's mother passed away in 1322, when Maud was about twelve years old.

Marriages and Children

In 1327, Maud married her first husband, William de Burgh, 3rd Earl of Ulster. They received special permission from the Pope to marry. Maud then moved to Ireland to live with her husband.

Together, they had one daughter:

• Elizabeth de Burgh (born 6 July 1332 – died 10 December 1363). She married Lionel of Antwerp, Duke of Clarence. They had one daughter named Philippa Plantagenet.

In June 1333, Maud's husband was killed in Ireland. After this sad event, Maud quickly returned to England with her baby daughter, Elizabeth. Elizabeth was now the Countess of Ulster. They lived at the royal court with King Edward III and his family. Because Maud knew a lot about Ireland, she had some influence in choosing officials for Ireland.

Maud married her second husband, Sir Ralph de Ufford, by August 1343. In 1344, Sir Ralph was appointed as the King's chief representative in Ireland. So, Maud went back to Ireland with him. There, she had another daughter:

• Maud de Ufford (born 1345/1346 – died 25 January 1413). She married Thomas de Vere, 8th Earl of Oxford. They had one son, Robert de Vere.

Sir Ralph de Ufford faced many challenges in his role in Ireland. There were ongoing disagreements between powerful noble families.

Life in the Church

After Sir Ralph de Ufford died on 9 April 1346, Maud returned to England again. Between 1347 and 1348, she became a canoness at an Augustinian convent called Campsey Priory in Suffolk. A canoness is a woman who lives a religious life, similar to a nun.

In 1364, Maud moved to another religious community, the Poor Clares at Bruisyard Abbey. She passed away there on 5 May 1377, when she was about sixty-seven years old. Maud was buried at Bruisyard Abbey.

See also

In Spanish: Matilde de Lancaster para niños