Britain's Royal Families: The Complete Genealogy (28 page)

Lionel married firstly, on 15 August, 1342, in the Tower of London, and again on 9 September, 1342, at Reading Abbey, Berkshire:

Elizabeth

She was the daughter of William de Burgh, Earl of Ulster, by Matilda of Lancaster, a descendant of Henry III, and she was born on 6 July, 1332, probably at Carrickfergus Castle in Ulster. She succeeded her father as Countess of Ulster on 6 June, 1333. She died on 10 December (?), 1363, in Dublin, and was buried at Clare Priory, Suffolk.

Issue of marriage:

  (i)
  
Philippa

She was born on 16 August, 1355, at Eltham Palace, Kent. She married Edmund Mortimer, 3rd Earl of March (1352–1381) (grandson of the Regent Mortimer –
see here
, under Edward II), after 15 February, 1359, and probably in May, 1368, at the Queen’s Chapel, Reading Abbey, Berkshire. Philippa died between 21 November, 1378 (date of Will), and 9 February, 1381, and was buried at Cork in Ireland. Her remains were later removed to Wigmore, Herefordshire.

The House of York would one day base its claim to the throne on its descent from Edward III through Philippa, therefore her issue is included here in full:

6  
John

Known as John of Gaunt, he was born in February or March (certainly before 28 May), 1340, at St Bavon’s Abbey, Ghent, Flanders, and was created Earl of Richmond on 20 September, 1342. He was made a Knight of the Garter in c. April, 1361. He was first styled Earl of Derby, a title he held in right of his first wife, on
21 July, 1361. He was created Earl of Lancaster in right of his first wife before 14 August, 1361, and Lord of Beaufort and Nogent, also in right of his first wife, on 14 August, 1361. He succeeded his sister-in-law, Matilda of Lancaster (under Henry III,
see here
), as Earl of Derby, Earl of Leicester and Earl of Lincoln on 10 April, 1362, and was created Duke of Lancaster on 13 November, 1362. He was created Lord of Bergerac and Roche-sur-Yon on 8 October, 1370. He surrendered the earldom of Richmond on 5 June, 1372. He assumed the style and title of King of Castile and Léon, in right of his second wife, before 6 October, 1372. He was created Duke of Aquitaine on 2 March, 1390. He died on 3/4 February, 1399, probably at Leicester Castle, or – less probably – at Ely Place, Holborn, London, and was buried in Old St Paul’s Cathedral, London.