(1) Edmund of Woodstock, Earl of Kent, born August 5th, 1301. Died March 19th, 1329. Son of Edward I of England and Marguerite of France. He married Margaret Wake and had daughter Joan. Edmund is best known for having petitioned for the release of his half-brother, King Edward II. A man of limited capacity, fickle, vain, and easily led, he never recovered from the shock of Edward's murder. He was declared guilty of treason by Parliment and was beheaded.
(2) Joan "The Fair Maid of Kent", Countess of Kent, died August 8th, 1385. Daughter and heiress of Edmund and Margaret. She married Thomas de Holland. Joan was a lover of peace, a reconciler of enemies, and a friend to the unfortunate. She was happy in both her marriages (not counting the forced one with William de Montague, which was anulled) and well thought of by all. News of the misdeeds of her son Richard II, King of England had caused her great grief, and learning that Richard had arrested his hot-tempered half-brother John de Holland was more than this amiable lady could bear -- and it was this knowledge that drove her to her grave. |
