"This frank Prince of whom I tell you, Thought not but of loyalty, Of free courage and gentleness; And endowed was he with such prowess That he wished all the days of his life To give up all his study To the holding of justice and integrity. And in that was he nurtured From the time of his infancy. Of his own noble and free will He learned liberality; For goodness and nobleness Were in his heart perfectly, From the first commencement Of his life and youth; And he was, it is well known, So preux (chivalrous), so hardy, and so valiant, So courteous and so wise, He loved so well holy church, With all his heart, in every form, The most holy Trinity, The festival and holiday." There is a tradition that Prince Edward studied at Queen's College, Oxford, and this may perhaps have been the case, as Queen's College was founded by his mother, Queen Philippa; but the story rests on no authentic evidence. During his early youth various honours and dignities were bestowed upon him. He was made Duke of Cornwall at the Parliament held at Westminster in 1337. This is the first time that the title duke appears in English history. In 1338, when Edward III. was about to leave England to begin his war with France, he appointed his son Prince Edward to be guardian of the kingdom during his absence. As the Prince was then but eight years old, this was naturally only a nominal office. It was not till 1343 that he was created by Parliament Prince of Wales. FOOTNOTES: [1] The following table illustrates Edward III.'s claim to the French Crown: Philip III. the Bold. 1270-1285. | +------------------------+-----------------------+ | | Philip IV. the Fair. Charles of Valois. | | +---+--------+------------+-----------+ Philip VI. of Valois. | | | | Louis X. Philip V. Charles IV. Isabella=Edward II. of England. 1314-1316. the Long. 1323-1328. | | 1316-1323. | | | +-----------------------+ Edward III. | Jeanne Queen of Navarre. CHAPTER II. Beginning of the French War.