Biography of Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster 1354-1394

In 1354 Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster was born illegitimately to Peter "Cruel" I King Castile (age 19) and Maria Padilla (age 20).

In July 1361 [her mother] Maria Padilla (age 27) died at Seville.

On 21st September 1371 John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 31) and Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster (age 17) were married at Roquefort, Landes. She by marriage Duchess Lancaster. His younger brother Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York (age 30) married Constance's sister in July 1372. An example of Marriage of Two Sets of Siblings. She the illegitmate daughter of Peter "Cruel" I King Castile and Maria Padilla. He the son of King Edward III of England (age 58) and Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England. They were half third cousin twice removed.

After 21st September 1371 [her illegitimate sister] Isabella of Castile Duchess York (age 16) accompanied her sister Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster (age 17) to England after her marriage to John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 31).

On 9th February 1372 Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster (age 18), the wife of John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 31) made a ceremonial entry in London.

On 11th July 1372 Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York (age 31) and [her illegitimate sister] Isabella of Castile Duchess York (age 17) were married at Wallingford, Oxfordshire [Map]. She by marriage Countess Cambridge. She being the younger sister of Constance (age 18) who had married Edmund's older brother John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 32) a year before. An example of Marriage of Two Sets of Siblings. She the illegitmate daughter of [her father] Peter "Cruel" I King Castile and [her mother] Maria Padilla. He the son of King Edward III of England (age 59) and Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England. They were half third cousin twice removed.

Letters. 7th August 1372. 1372 the earliest date based on her marriage in 1371. Letter XXV. Constance (age 18), Wife of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, to the Chancellor of England.

From the Queen of Castile and Leon, Duchess of Lancaster.

Honoured sir.

We pray you lovingly that you will grant your letters for Friar Alvare, the bearer of these, to the prior of the friars-preachers of Oxford, that the said friar may be received there to be a student in the university of the said city, for love of me. And may our Lord ever have you, honoured sir, in his holy keeping.

Written at Hertford [Map], the 7th day of August.

On 31st March 1373 [her daughter] Catherine of Lancaster Queen Consort Castile was born to John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 33) and Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster (age 19) at Hertford Castle [Map]. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 1374 [her son] John Lancaster was born to John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 33) and Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster (age 20). He a grandson of King Edward III of England.

In 1375 [her son] John Lancaster (age 1) died.

Before 17th September 1388 [her son-in-law] Henry III King Castile (age 8) and [her daughter] Catherine of Lancaster Queen Consort Castile (age 15) were married at Palencia Cathedral [Map]. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 48) and Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster (age 34). He the son of John I King Castile (age 30) and Eleanor Barcelona Queen Consort Castile. They were half second cousins. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 24th March 1394 Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster (age 40) died at Leicester Castle [Map]. She was buried at Church of the Annunciation of our Lady of the Newark [Map].