Henry of Grosmont

Henry of Grosmont
Henry of Grosmont, from the Bruges Garter Book (1430) by William Bruges
Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Lancaster and Leicester
Predecessor	Henry, 3rd Earl
Successor	John of Gaunt, 4th Earl, later 1st Duke of Lancaster
Born	c. 1310 Grosmont Castle Grosmont, Monmouthshire
Died	23 March 1361(1361-03-23) (aged 50–51) Leicester Castle Leicester, Leicestershire
Burial	Collegiate Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady of the Newarke, Leicester
Spouse	Isabella de Beaumont
Issue	Maud, Countess of Leicester Blanche, Duchess of Lancaster
House	Plantagenet
Father	Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster
Mother	Maud Chaworth

Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, 4th Earl of Leicester and Lancaster, KG (c. 1310 – 23 March 1361), also Earl of Derby, was a member of the English nobility in the 14th century, and a prominent English diplomat, politician, and soldier. The son and heir of Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster, and Maud Chaworth, he became one of Edward III's most trusted captains in the early phases of the Hundred Years' War and distinguished himself with victory in the Battle of Auberoche. He was a founding member and the second Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348, and in 1351 was created duke. Grosmont was also the author of the book Livre de seyntz medicines, a highly personal devotional treatise. He is remembered as one of the founders and early patrons of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, which was established by two of the guilds of the town in 1352.

Grosmont's uncle, Thomas of Lancaster, was the son and heir of Edward I's brother Edmund Crouchback. Through his inheritance and a fortunate marriage, Thomas became the wealthiest peer in England, but constant quarrels with King Edward II led to his execution in 1322. Having no heir, Thomas's possessions and titles went to his younger brother Henry – Grosmont's father. Earl Henry of Lancaster assented to the deposition of Edward II in 1327, but did not long stay in favour with the regency of Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer. When Edward III took personal control of the government in 1330, relations with the Crown improved, but by this time the older Henry was already struggling with poor health and blindness.