The Granddaughters of Edward III

During the reign of Edward III, England became a formidable European powerhouse through the expansion of traditional political marriages, particularly those of the king's granddaughters. This is a joint biography of nine of those women who lived between 1355 and 1440, and their dramatic, turbulent lives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 17 February 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Edward III, the third king of England, is renowned for his remarkable efforts to restore the English monarchy's authority following the enigmatic and catastrophic downfall of his father, Edward II, and the untimely demise of his mother, Queen Isabella. It was Edward III who arguably elevated England to prominence as a formidable military power. This display of strength and power extended beyond mere advancements in government, military triumphs, or the establishment of the Order of the Garter, a prestigious order that merged ideals of chivalry and national identity to foster camaraderie between the king and the peerage. Furthermore, the expansion of England as a dominant European force was achieved through traditional political marriages, particularly those involving the king of England's granddaughters. This captivating joint biography delves into the lives of nine remarkable women who lived between 1355 and 1440. These women experienced dramatic and tumultuous journeys, with one serving as the queen of Portugal and mother of the illustrious Generation. Another woman, despite being married to her parents' mortal enemies, ascended to the throne of Castile. One of these women found herself pregnant by the king of England's half-brother while already married to someone else, leading to her third husband's imprisonment for marrying her without proper authorization. Tragically, one of these women lost her husband at a young age when a mob beheaded him summarily, and several years later, she bore an illegitimate daughter to an earl. Another woman witnessed her marriage annulled to allow her husband to marry a Bohemian lady-in-waiting. One of these women was born illegitimate, had sixteen children, and became the grandmother of two kings of England.

Weight: 514g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526779250