Edward the Black Prince, Prince of Wales, was the eldest son of Edward III and Philippa of Hainault. He was born in 1330 and died in 1376. He first distinguished himself at the Battle of Crecy in 1346 where he commanded part of
the forces, and it was on this occasion that he adopted the motto Ich dien (I serve), used by all succeeding princes of Wales. In 1355 he commanded the army which invaded France from Gascony, and in 1356 won the Battle of Poitiers and in 1360 the peace of Bretigny was made by which the provinces of Poictou, Saintonge, Perigord, Limousin were annexed to Guienne and formed into a sovereignty for the prince under the title of the Principality of Aquitaine.. In 1367 he went to the aid of Pedro the Cruel, king of Castile and defeated Henry of Trastamare at Najera. To recoup his expenses incurred in Spain Edward levied a hearth tax on his Gascon subjects, who rebelled and appealed to the French king, Charles V. War was declared in 1369 and the English suffered disaster, Edward retreating to England. He was the first duke created, in 1337 being made duke of Cornwall. Research Edward the Black Prince
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