EDWARD, the BLACK PRINCE (EDWARD III. ante), 1330-76; son of Edward III. of England, and Philippa. He was created duke of Cornwall in his eighth year, and a year later, during his father's absence in France, was appointed nominal guardian of the kingdom. He held this office also in 1340 and 1342; and was created prince of Wales on the king's return in 1343. Three years later he accompanied his father to France, and in the battle of Crecy led the most victorious division of the army. He also shared his father's glory in the victory over the Spanish fleet at the battle of L'Espagnols-sur Mer. In 1355, he was given command of the chief army in the French war, landed at Bordeaux, and after several smaller successes, in 1356 he gained the victory of Poictiers, capturing the French king, whom lie carried captive to London in 1357. In 1361, during the short peace following king John's ransom, lie married his cousin Joanna, the " fair maid of Kent," of whom lie was the third husband, and being created duke of Aqui taine, crossed over to his new dukedom, where he ruled successfully and peacefully for a time. Making an entangling alliance with Pedro, the deposed king of Castile and Leon, although victorious he found himself burdened with the expenses and losses of a profitless war, and for the excessive taxes laid upon his duchy he was summoned to account at Paris. To this summons lie replied haughtily that lie would come "helm on head, and with 60,000 men." This led to a rupture between France and England. The
French planned a double invasion of English territory. The duke of Anjou, command ing one expedition, besieged Limoges, which had been ceded to the English by the treaty of Bretigny and formed part of the principality of Aquitaine. The city surrendered by the treachery of its bishop. The black prince, enraged by this act, after a siege of a month, recaptured the city by assault, and put to the sword 3,000 of its inhabitants. This madness of cruelty is the chief blot on the fame of the prince. It is only partially explained by his disordered health, which itself was perhaps due to the irritation of seeing the English power waning in France, in spite of all his victories. He was compelled, by the advice of his physicians, to return to England the following year, 1371, where he lingered in continually failing health for five years. In these years he saw the loss of Aquitaine to England, but he did good service to the country in opposing the corrupt and oppressive influences which surrounded the king, and by his help parliament was able to pass acts against the king's mistress, Alice Ferrers, and in restraint of the dan gerous ambition of John duke of Lancaster. These patriotic services endeared him to the people, and before his death lie had regained the popularity of his earlier years. His mailed effigy marks the place of his burial in Canterbury cathedral.