Alphonso, Earl of Chester
Encyclopedia
Alphonso was the ninth child of Edward I of England
and Eleanor of Castile. During his lifetime, he was first in line to his father's throne of England and to his mother's county of Ponthieu
in France.
Alphonso was born at Bayonne
, in Gascony
, and named after his maternal uncle, King Alfonso X of Castile
, who was his godfather. Alphonso died at Windsor
, aged ten, shortly after the birth of his younger brother (later Edward II of England
). His death left his brother as the only surviving male heir of Edward I. Alphonso was interred in The Confessors Chapel at Westminster Abbey
, although the exact location is unknown. His heart, however, was buried at the priory of Blackfriars, London (now destroyed).
in 1284, or whether he was simply styled as such. Either way, he died shortly before his eleventh birthday, unmarried, and couldn't have transmitted any title he may have had.
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
and Eleanor of Castile. During his lifetime, he was first in line to his father's throne of England and to his mother's county of Ponthieu
Ponthieu
Ponthieu was one of six feudal counties that eventually merged together to become part of the Province of Picardy, in northern France. Its chief town is Abbeville.- History :...
in France.
Alphonso was born at Bayonne
Bayonne
Bayonne is a city and commune in south-western France at the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, of which it is a sub-prefecture...
, in Gascony
Gascony
Gascony is an area of southwest France that was part of the "Province of Guyenne and Gascony" prior to the French Revolution. The region is vaguely defined and the distinction between Guyenne and Gascony is unclear; sometimes they are considered to overlap, and sometimes Gascony is considered a...
, and named after his maternal uncle, King Alfonso X of Castile
Alfonso X of Castile
Alfonso X was a Castilian monarch who ruled as the King of Castile, León and Galicia from 1252 until his death...
, who was his godfather. Alphonso died at Windsor
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
, aged ten, shortly after the birth of his younger brother (later Edward II of England
Edward II of England
Edward II , called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed by his wife Isabella in January 1327. He was the sixth Plantagenet king, in a line that began with the reign of Henry II...
). His death left his brother as the only surviving male heir of Edward I. Alphonso was interred in The Confessors Chapel at Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
, although the exact location is unknown. His heart, however, was buried at the priory of Blackfriars, London (now destroyed).
Titles and styles
Sources are contradictory as to whether or not Alphonso was actually created Earl of ChesterEarl of Chester
The Earldom of Chester was one of the most powerful earldoms in medieval England. Since 1301 the title has generally been granted to heirs-apparent to the English throne, and from the late 14th century it has been given only in conjunction with that of Prince of Wales.- Honour of Chester :The...
in 1284, or whether he was simply styled as such. Either way, he died shortly before his eleventh birthday, unmarried, and couldn't have transmitted any title he may have had.