Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent (5 August 1301 – 19 March 1330) was Earl of Kent from 1321 to 1330, preceding Edmund, 2nd Earl of Kent. Edmund was the sixth son of King Edward I of England and the half-brother of Edward II of England, and he served as a diplomat and military commander in Scotland and France during his brother's reign. He took part in a 1326 rebellion against his brother alongside Queen Isabella of France and Roger Mortimer, but the new administration accused him of planning a rebellion and had him executed in 1330.
Biography[]
Edmund of Woodstock was the sixth son of King Edward I of England, born from his wife Margaret of France. His father intended to make substantial grants of land to Edmund, but after the king's death in 1307, Edmund's half-brother, Edward II of England, failed to follow through with his father's demands due to his favoritism towards Piers Gaveston. Edward still remained loyal to his brother, and he was created Earl of Kent in 1321. He played an important part in his brother's administration, acting both as a diplomat and military commander. In 1321-22, he helped to suppress a rebellion against the King. In 1322, he organized a major campaign against Scotland, but he was defeated at Old Byland. In January 1323, England was forced to make peace with Scotland after this defeat. In July 1324, he was made his brother's lieutenant in France, but he was forced to surrender La Reole during the War of Saint-Sardos.
In 1326, Edmund betrayed his brother when he joined a rebellion against the King, caused by his favoritism towards Hugh Despenser and Earl Hugh of Winchester. He joined Queen Isabella of France and Roger Mortimer in rebellion, and Edward II was deposed. Edmund failed to get along with the new administration, however, and he was accused of planning a rebellion. On 19 March 1330, he was executed at Winchester Castle.