Edward I Marries Eleanor of Castile: The 16 Children of the King of England

Unfortunately, there is no cause for the deaths of six stillborns or infant deaths. The first three children, all girls, of Edward and Eleanor died within their first year. Their first wasn’t even named and it is unknown whether she died at the time of birth or shortly afterwards. Both Katherine and Joan, who were at least three months old, were buried at Westminster Abbey.

The fourth was another daughter, who wasn’t named. She died within her first month and was buried at Westminster Abbey like her sisters. Number five was another daughter, named Juliana, who was just around three months old at the time of her death. She was born and died while the king and queen were on a campaign in Acre, Israel.

The final one to die within the first year of life was a boy—the only boy to die so young. Unlike many other boys born at the time, this one was not named. It is possible that he just died too quickly. However, there is also the possibility that this boy never existed, as there is very little evidence to support him. If he did die, he would have likely have been born somewhere at Westminster Abbey.

The Middle Ages are full of children dying within their childhood years. They would pick up illnesses that they couldn’t recover from and the medical knowledge just wasn’t as good as it is now. This was a reason for people to have so many children, despite the risks to the mother’s life.

Edward and Eleanor were no strangers to this type of loss. Four of their children died within the ages of one and 11 years old.

The first was their first son, John, born on July 13, 1266. His birth would have been a big celebration as he would have been the next in line to the throne after his father—Henry III was still alive at this time—but it didn’t stopped the couple trying for more children, especially after the events of their first three children. John, unfortunately, died while being looked after by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, who was also his granduncle, on August 3, 1271.

Their second son, Henry, named after Edward’s father, seemed to be the heir that they had waited for. He lived to see three siblings born until he turned eight years old. Henry was born on May 6,1268, while his older brother was still living. He soon found himself go from the third in line to the second in line to the throne and the heir apparent upon the death of Henry III of England.

Henry was looked after by his grandmother, Eleanor of Province, since his parents were on the crusade at the time. His parents didn’t even return home to spend his last days with him. However, considering his grandmother had always been around, she would have been more familiar and a comfort to him. Henry was simply a sickly boy who died on October 14, 1274, with his grandmother around.

The next child to die before adulthood was Alphonso, named after Eleanor’s half-brother. He was 11 years old at the time of his death on August 19, 1284. At the time of his birth on November 24, 1273, he became heir apparent as the only living boy at the time. It all seemed to go so well. Unlike his brothers, Alphonso was a healthy child and was betrothed to Margaret, Floris V, Count of Holland’s daughter when he was 10 years old. However, Alphonso died of natural causes just a few months before their wedding was due to take place.

The fourth child was a girl, named Berengaria. Very little is known about her, except that she was born in May 1276 and died sometime between June 7, 1277 and 1278. Like the rest of her siblings, she was buried at Westminster Abbey.

Six children are left—five girls and one boy.

Eleanor, Countess of Bar

The first of those was Eleanor, named after her mother and paternal grandmother. She was born in June 1369 and went onto marry Henry III, Count of Bar in 1293. She grew up extremely close to her grandmother, Eleanor, since her parents spent much time away during the crusades. She was also close to her brother, Henry, who was sickly much of the time but a good companion for the English princess.

Eleanor was betrothed to another before Henry III, Count of Bar, to Alfonso III of Aragon. However, Edward I refused to allow his daughter to marry him while Alfonso’s parents were under a papal interdict. One of his reasons given, though, was that his daughter was too young, at the age of 13, and he wanted to wait longer. Alfonso died before they could be married.

Eleanor and Henry’s children are a cause for debate. While there are two known children, Edward I, Count of Bar, and Joan, there is another disputed daughter called Eleanor. She apparently married a Welshman and was a descendant of Henry VII of England. It is possible that the people during the Tudor years made this daughter up as a way to give Henry VII a royal bloodline and stronger claim to the throne.

Eleanor died at the age of 29 on August 29, 1298 and was buried at Westminster Abbey.

Edward II of England

Finally, Edward II was born. His older brother, Alfonso, was still alive at the time but he quickly found himself as heir apparent. Unfortunately, Edward didn’t make a very good king, especially when compared to his father. He married his wife, Isabella of France on January 25, 1308, which would prove to be the worst decision he could make.

Despite having four children together, Isabella knew that her husband was a weak king. She left England, along with her children behind. When agreeing to a peace treaty, Edward sent his eldest son, Prince Edward. Isabella used that to her advantage, betrayed her husband and had him deposed with the help of others to place her eldest son on the throne, making him Edward III of England.

Edward was imprisoned for the rest of his life. He died around September 21, 1327; at least that is when Edward III found out about his father’s death. There is no definite cause of death, with many chroniclers not giving one. Some give torturous ways that he was killed and possibly murder by suffocation or strangulation.

There is much more to come about Edward II of England, as I find out much more about him and the events that led to his wife betraying him in such a way.

With 16 children, it may sound surprising that Edward I and Eleanor of Castile only had one boy who survived childhood—and it was a boy who didn’t make a favourable King of England. However, it didn’t bring an end to the House of Plantagenet.