Tomb of Edward, the Black Prince
Tomb in Canterbury Cathedral / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The tomb of Edward, the Black Prince, was built in the 14th century for Edward of Woodstock (d. 1376). He was the son of Edward III of England and heir apparent to the English throne until his early death from dysentery aged 45. Due to his role in the Hundred Years' War and his characteristic black plate armour, Edward became known to history as "the Black Prince". Aware that he was dying and mindful of his legacy, his will (signed the day before he died) specified his desired place of burial, and contained detailed stipulations as to the design of his tomb and that it be located in the Trinity Chapel of Canterbury Cathedral, in Kent, England, where his body is still interred.
Tomb of the Black Prince | |
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Material | Effigy: Gilt cast copper-alloy Tomb-chest: Marble.[1] |
Created | After 1376 |
Period/culture | Gothic |
Present location | Canterbury Cathedral, Kent, England |
The tomb consists of a recumbent tomb effigy, a tomb-chest and a tester holding his heraldic achievements. Due to its highly detailed armour, the effigy is considered one of the most important examples of English medieval funerary art given that so few examples of contemporary armour survive. According to Jessica Barker of the Courtauld Institute of Art, "there is something deeply affecting about the way his armor is depicted on the tomb ... This isn't just any armor—it is his armor...replicated with complete fidelity even down to tiny details like the position of rivets."[2]