He was born as Edwad of Woodstock on June 15th, 1330, oc, to Edward III of England and Phillippa of Hainault. He had eight siblings and was, being the first born: Prince of Wales, and Hair Apparent.
Edward was born at Woodstock Palace, Oxfordshire, on 15 June 1330. His father, Edward III, had been in conflict with the French over English lands in France and also the kingship of France; Edward III's mother and the Prince's grandmother, Queen Isabella of France was a daughter of the French king Philip IV of France, thus placing her son in line for the throne of France. England and France's relations quickly deteriorated when the French king threatened to confiscate his lands in France, beginning the Hundred Years War. (1337 – 1453).
On 18 March 1333, Edward was invested with the earldom and county of Chester, and in the parliament of 9 February 1337, he was created Duke of Cornwall and received the duchy by a charter dated 17 March. This is the earliest instance of the creation of a duke in England. By the terms of the charter the duchy was to be held by him and the eldest sons of kings of England.
In 1360, he negotiated the Treaty of Brétigny. He was created Duke of Aquitaine and Gascony.
He died in 1376 of dysentery and was buried in Canterbury Cathedral, where his surcoat, helmet, shield, and gauntlets are still preserved.
