Edward III's Tomb
Edward III, son of
Edward II and Isabella of France, was born on November 13, 1312. He became the
King of England at the age of fourteen, in January of 1327. During his reign,
he transformed England into a strong military power in Europe. He married
Philippa of Hainault, with whom he had thirteen children. Around 1340, Edward
declared himself the rightful ruler of France, thus starting the Hundred Years
War. Also during his reign, the bubonic plague swept across England, killing
three of his own children. Edward III was preceded in death by those children,
his wife Philippa in 1369, and his heir, Edward the Black Prince in June of
1376. Edward III then dies on June 21, 1377 of a stroke at Sheen Palace,
leaving his throne to his ten-year-old grandson, King Richard II, son of Edward
the Black Prince.
Edward III's
funeral was held in the Abbey on July 5th. He was laid to rest in St. Edward
the Confessor's chapel, near his queen. His wooden effigy is preserved in the Abbey collection, along with the plaster face mask, thought to
be modeled on a death mask. One side of this face mask is distorted, showing the
effects of the stroke that ended his life. On top of his tomb, he is depicted with long hair and a
beard. He is wearing coronation robes and holds two handles of scepters. His
tomb is made out of Purbeck marble. Around the tomb are six remaining effigies
of his children, originally twelve. On the other side of the tomb are four
large shields with the cross of St. George and the arms of France and England.
Interesting tidbit about the stroke depicted on his tomb!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful tomb, reminds me of the ones I saw in Westminster Abbey. I've always found it interesting that they used death masks, and I agree it is interesting his is distorted showing the effects of his stroke. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThis gives good information on the events leading up to Edward III's death. I love the image you selected that shows the side of the tomb. The beauty of it actually makes me curious to know what all goes into tomb making. Great post!
ReplyDeleteLoved this! Good information and the tomb is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteKing at fourteen and he had thirteen children. Edward the III seems to have had a busy life. This was an interesting post, and what a gorgeous tomb.
ReplyDeleteThis was really cool, this is the first I've really heard about somebodies death being depicted on their tomb in that way.
ReplyDelete