Thomas Holland, 1st Earl of Kent facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Holland
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| Earl of Kent | |
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| Born | c. 1314 |
| Died | 26 December 1360 (aged around 46) |
| Spouse(s) | Joan of Kent |
| Issue | Thomas Holland, 2nd Earl of Kent John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter Joan, Duchess of Brittany Maud, Countess of Ligny |
| Father | Robert de Holland, 1st Baron Holand |
| Mother | Maud la Zouche |
Thomas Holland (born around 1314, died December 26, 1360) was an important English nobleman and military leader. He was known as the 2nd Baron Holand and later became the 1st Earl of Kent through his marriage. He was also a Knight of the Order of the Garter, a special group of knights. Thomas Holland played a big part in the Hundred Years' War, a long conflict between England and France.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Thomas Holland came from a noble family in Upholland, Lancashire, England. His parents were Robert de Holland, 1st Baron Holand and Maud la Zouche. He had a brother named Otho Holand, who also became a Knight of the Garter, just like Thomas.
Military Adventures
Thomas Holland started his military career fighting in Flanders, a region in Europe. In 1340, he joined an English journey into Flanders. Two years later, he was sent to Bayonne to help protect the Gascon border against the French army. He served in France again in 1343.
Battles and Captures
In 1346, Thomas Holland went with King Edward III to Normandy. During the capture of Caen, a French city, two important French leaders, the Count of Eu and Guînes and the Count De Tancarville, surrendered to him.
A writer named Jean le Bel said that these French counts recognized Sir Thomas. They supposedly shouted to him from a window, asking him and his knights to save them from the fierce fighting. After taking the prisoners, Sir Thomas and his men tried to protect the people of the captured town.
During the English army's long march through France in 1346, Sir Thomas showed great bravery. At one point, he rode up to a broken bridge, fought and defeated two enemy soldiers, and shouted, "St. George for Edward!" This was a famous battle cry.
Key Battles and Honors
At the famous Battle of Crécy, Sir Thomas was one of the main commanders. He fought in the front lines with the Prince of Wales. After Crécy, he also took part in the Siege of Calais from 1346 to 1347.
In 1348, Thomas Holland was chosen to be one of the first members of the new Order of the Garter. This was a very high honor for a knight.
Marriage and Family Life
Around the time of his first military trips, Thomas Holland secretly married Joan of Kent. Joan was only 12 years old at the time. She was the daughter of Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent and Margaret Wake. This made her the granddaughter of King Edward I.
Later, while Thomas was away fighting, Joan married another man, William Montacute, 2nd Earl of Salisbury. However, it was later proven that Joan was already married to Thomas Holland. The Pope then ordered Joan to return to Thomas and live with him as his wife. They had four children together.
Titles and Roles
From 1353 to 1356, Thomas was called to Parliament as Baron de Holland. His wife's brother, John, the Earl of Kent, passed away in 1352. Because of this, Thomas became the Earl of Kent through his wife. In 1360, he was officially called to Parliament with this new title.
In 1354, Thomas Holland served as the king's representative in Brittany. In 1359, he became a co-captain-general for all the English lands on the European continent.
Later Life and Legacy
Thomas Holland became ill and passed away in Normandy on December 28, 1360. His son, also named Thomas, became the next Baron. His wife, Joan, kept the title of Earl of Kent for a while, but their son later became Earl in his own right. Another of their sons, John, became the Earl of Huntingdon and Duke of Exeter.
Children
Thomas Holland and Joan of Kent had five children:
- Thomas Holland, 2nd Earl of Kent
- John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter
- Joan Holland, who married John IV, Duke of Brittany
- Maud Holland, who married two times: first to Hugh Courtenay and then to Waleran III of Luxembourg, Count of Ligny
- Edmund Holland (born around 1354), who died when he was young
