Edmund, 1st Earl of Lancaster

Edmund, 1st Earl of Lancaster, second son of Henry III, was once to be King of Sicily, yet destiny lay elsewhere, founding the Lancastrian line. Known later as Crouchback for bearing the crusader’s cross, he received the Honour of Lancaster in 1267\. His marriage to Blanche d’Artois, niece of the sainted Louis of France andwidow of the Count of Champagne. Edmund and Blanche governed Champagne as regent for her daughter.In 1294 when Philippe IV of France, acting with duplicity, robbed Edward I of Aquitaine. Feigning diplomacy, Philippe set in motion the conflict later known as the Hundred Years War—now recognised as the longest, bloodiest divorce in history. Edmund was there when the divorce papers were served, dispatched to confront the consequences of Philippe’s betrayal. He died campaigning in Gascony, but his lineage endured. His grandson Henry became the first Duke of Lancaster; his great-granddaughter Blanche married John of Gaunt, bringing the duchy to the edge of the throne. Their son, Henry IV, was the first Duke of Lancaster to become King of England.Lancastrian symbols recall Edmund’s marriage: according to legend the red rose of Lancaster is the rose des Provins of Champagne, and the portcullis of Parliament is from Blanche’s Château de Beaufort. Today’s Duke of Lancaster, King Charles III, inherits a legacy founded by Edmund, the first Earl of Lancaster.