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Biography of John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall 1316-1336

Paternal Family Tree: Anjou aka Plantagenet

Maternal Family Tree: Marie Swabia Duchess Brabant

1308 Marriage of King Edward II and Isabella of France

1327 Death of King Edward II

1333 Battle of Halidon Hill

Marriage of King Edward II and Isabella of France

On 28th January 1308 [his father] King Edward II of England (age 23) and [his mother] Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 13) were married at Boulogne sur Mer [Map]. She the daughter of [his grandfather] King Philip IV of France (age 39) and [his grandmother] Joan Blois I Queen Navarre. He the son of [his grandfather] King Edward I of England and [his grandmother] Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England. They were second cousin once removed. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 15th August 1316 John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall was born to King Edward II of England (age 32) and Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 21) at Eltham Palace, Kent [Map]. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.16%.

Letters. 10th October 1316. Letter XXIII. [his mother] Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 21) to her nephew John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall.

Most dear and beloved nephew,.

We have well understood what you have sent us word by your letters; and, as to our estate, we give you to know that we are even in great trouble of heart, but, considering the condition we are in, we were in good health of body at the setting forth of these letters, which our Lord ever grant to you. Dearest nephew, we pray you that you will leave off all excuses, and come to the king our son in the best manner you can, and as he commands you more fully by his letters. For you well know, dearest nephew, if you come not, considering the necessity that now exists, it will be greatly talked of, and will be a great dishonour to you. Wherefore make an effort to come at this time as hastily as you can, and you know well, dearest nephew, that we shall ever be ready to counsel you as well as we can in all things that shall be to your honour and profit. Most dear and beloved nephew, our Lord have you in his keeping. Given at Nottingham [Map], the 10th day of October.

Death of King Edward II

On 21st September 1327 [his father] King Edward II of England (age 43) was murdered at Berkeley Castle [Map]. There is speculation as to the manner of his death, and as to whether he died at all. Some believe he may have lived the rest of his life in Europe.

In 1330 the marriage of [his sister] Eleanor of Woodstock Plantagenet (age 11) and her brother John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall (age 13) to marry a son and daughter of King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France (age 36).

In 1330 John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall (age 13) was created 1st Earl Cornwall.

Battle of Halidon Hill

On 19th July 1333 [his brother] King Edward III of England (age 20) defeated the Scots army at the Battle of Halidon Hill near Berwick on Tweed, Northumberland [Map]. John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall (age 16) commanded.

English archers, just as at the Battle of Dupplin Moor one year previously, had a significant impact on the massed ranks of Scottish schiltrons. Edward's army included: [his uncle] Thomas of Brotherton 1st Earl Norfolk (age 33), who commanded the right wing, Hugh Courtenay 1st or 9th Earl Devon (age 56), Robert Pierrepont, Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon (age 30), Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan (age 54) and John Sully (age 50). One of the few English casualties was John Neville (age 34) who was killed.

The Scottish army included King David II of Scotland (age 9). Alexander Bruce, Alan Stewart (age 61), James Stewart (age 57), John Stewart, William Douglas 1st Earl Atholl, Archibald Douglas (age 35) who were all killed.

Hugh 4th Earl Ross (age 36) was killed. His son William succeeded 5th Earl Ross.

Malcolm Lennox 2nd Earl Lennox was killed. His son Domhnall succeeded Earl Lennox.

Kenneth de Moravia Sutherland 4th Earl Sutherland was killed. His son William succeeded 5th Earl Sutherland. Johanna Menteith Countess Sutherland by marriage Countess Sutherland.

On 30th September 1336 John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall (age 20) died at Perth [Map]. Earl Cornwall extinct. He was buried at the east side of the doorway to the Chapel of St Edmund, Westminster Abbey [Map]. His monument comprises a head of the statue encircled by a coronet of large and small leaves, remarkable for being the earliest specimen of the kind. The details of plate-armour, surcoat, gorget, coroneted helmet, with other accessories, give great antiquarian interest to this work. It was formerly surmounted by a canopy, of which, however, no traces are now visible.

Effigy of John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall. John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall

WAS the second son of [his father] Edward the Second by his [his mother] Queen Isabella (age 42), and was horn at the Palace of the English Kings at Eltham in Kent [Map], on the Feast of the Blessed Virgin's Assumption 1316. In the second year of the reign of his elder brother, [his brother] Edward III (age 24) he was created Earl of Cornwall. In the following year, the King going to France to do homage for the Dukedom of Aquitaine, he was appointed his Lieutenant for the Kingdom, as he was also on the King's expedition into Scotland in 1330. In the course of the above periods he had grants of numerous Lordships from the Crowna, the town of Lostwithiel (in the neighbourhood of Restormel Castle, the principal seat of the Earls of Cornwall in the County), all the wreck, port dues, issues, and profits of the district, the farm of the City of Exeter, the stannaries, and coinage or customs on stamping the tin in the County of Devon. In 1333 and 1334 he was with King Edward III in his expeditions into Scotland, and died at Berwick-upon-Tweed [Map] in October of the latter year. About the festival of Christmas, the King, with the Archbishop of Canterbury, returned out of Scotland to celebrate his obsequies in the Abbey Church of Westminster, where he was interred on the south side of the Choir. The Prior and Convent claimed £400 in lieu of his horse and armour, which, according to the custom, should have been presented as an offering at the altar of their Church. John of Eltham was but twenty-eight years of age at his death, and was never married. Various matches were proposed for him, as with Joan, the daughter of the Earl of Eu; Mary, the daughter of the Earl of Blois; Mary (age 18), daughter of Ferdinand Lord Lara in Castile, which last proposal came to a formal contract, rendered abortive bv his demise.

Nothing can be finer in its way than the sculpture of this effigy. There is no departure from the very usual recumbent attitude, the hands raised in prayer and the legs crossed; but there is a most beautiful simplicity in the whole figure, while the details of the arms and drapery are marked with elegant precision.

Details. Plate I. Portion of the head, with the ducal crown and mantelet depending from the lace; ornaments on the sword belt, handle, and scabbard of the sword; scalloped border of an aqueton, or some defence under the surcoat. Plate II. Ornaments on the top of the hood, or basinet, whichever it may be; plating of the gauntlets, pryck spur and leathers, plates on the solerette, buckle of the spur, with tongue of the strap.

Note a. See Dugdaie's Baronage, vol. 1. p. 207.

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Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke [-1360]. In the year of our Lord 1337, around the time of the Epiphany [6th January 1337], the king and the archbishop returned from Scotland for the burial of Lord John of Eltham,1 Earl of Cornwall and the king's brother, who had died of natural causes in the month of October at Berwick. They buried him at Westminster.

Anno Domini MCCCXXXVJ, circa Epiphaniam, rex et archiepiscopus de Scocia sunt reversi pro sepultura domini Ioannis Deltham comitis Cornubie, germani regis, qui in mense Octobris apud Berewyk morte communi obiit; et apud Westmonasterium ipsum sepelierunt.

Note 1. John of Eltham, Edward's younger brother, was born on the 15th August 1315; created earl of Cornwall, 1328; and died at Perth, October 1336.

John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall 1316-1336 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Royal Ancestors of John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall 1316-1336

Kings Wessex: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings England: Son of King Edward II of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 4 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 8 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 12 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Ancestors of John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall 1316-1336

Great x 4 Grandfather: Geoffrey Plantagenet Duke Normandy

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Empress Matilda Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandfather: King John of England Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Aenor Chatellerault Duchess Aquitaine

Great x 1 Grandfather: King Henry III of England Son of King John of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Courtenay

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Courtenay Countess Angoulême

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Courtenay

GrandFather: King Edward I of England Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso II King Aragon

Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso Barcelona II Count Provence

Great x 4 Grandmother: Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon

Great x 2 Grandfather: Raymond Berenguer Provence IV Count Provence

Great x 4 Grandfather: Rainou of Sabran

Great x 3 Grandmother: Gersenda II Sabran Countess Provence

Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Humbert Savoy III Count Savoy

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy

Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Macon Countess Savoy

Great x 2 Grandmother: Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence

Great x 4 Grandfather: William I-Count Geneva

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy

Father: King Edward II of England Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Alfonso IX King Leon

Great x 1 Grandfather: Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Sancho III King Castile

Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso VIII King Castile

Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Ramirez Queen Consort Castile

Great x 2 Grandmother: Berengaria Ivrea I Queen Castile Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

GrandMother: Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Alberic Dammartin

Great x 2 Grandfather: Simon Dammartin

Great x 4 Grandfather: Renaud II Count Clermont

Great x 3 Grandmother: Mathilde Clermont

Great x 4 Grandmother: Adelaide I Countess Vermandois

Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Dammartin Queen Consort Castile and Leon

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Montgomery I Count Ponthieu

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Montgomery IV Count Ponthieu

Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice St Pol Countess Ponthieu

Great x 2 Grandmother: Marie Montgomery Countess Ponthieu

Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis VII King Franks

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alys Capet Countess Ponthieu

Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance of Castile

John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall Son of King Edward II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Philip II of France 2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Louis VIII of France 3 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: King Louis IX of France Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso VIII King Castile

Great x 3 Grandmother: Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: King Philip III of France 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso Barcelona II Count Provence

Great x 3 Grandfather: Raymond Berenguer Provence IV Count Provence

Great x 4 Grandmother: Gersenda II Sabran Countess Provence

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Provence Queen Consort France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy

Great x 3 Grandmother: Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy

GrandFather: King Philip IV of France 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso II King Aragon

Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter II King Aragon

Great x 4 Grandmother: Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon

Great x 2 Grandfather: James I King Aragon

Great x 1 Grandmother: Isabella Barcelona Queen Consort France

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Béla III of Hungary

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Andrew II of Hungary

Great x 2 Grandmother: Violant Árpád Queen Consort Aragon

Mother: Isabella of France Queen Consort England 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Blois I Count Champagne Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Theobald Blois III Count Champagne 2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Marie Capet Countess Champagne

Great x 2 Grandfather: Theobald IV King Navarre 3 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Sancho "Wise" King Navarre

Great x 3 Grandmother: Blanche Ramirez

Great x 4 Grandmother: Sancha Ivrea

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry I King Navarre 4 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy Dampierre

Great x 3 Grandfather: Archambaud "Great" Dampierre

Great x 4 Grandmother: Mathilde Bouron

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Bourbon Queen Consort Navarre

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alix Forez

GrandMother: Joan Blois I Queen Navarre 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Philip II of France 2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Louis VIII of France 3 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Capet Count of Artois Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso VIII King Castile

Great x 3 Grandmother: Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Blanche Capet Queen Navarre 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Reginar II Duke Brabant Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Metz Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Matilda Reginar Countess Saint Pol 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Swabia

Great x 3 Grandmother: Marie Swabia Duchess Brabant