Henry Plantagenet

Earl of Derby, Duke of Lancaster, KG

Product History

Henry had his first military experience in Scotland in 1336. He was the son of Henry, Earl of Lancaster and Leicester and great grandson of Henry III. He soon became 'Henry de Lancaster Banneret' and captain-general of the king's forces in Scotland. In 1337 the Earl campaigned in Flanders with an army of 500 men-at-arms and 2000 archers and in 1340 he was one of the senior commanders in the naval battle of Sluys. In 1342 he accompanied King Edward III on his expedition into Brittany with a retinue of five bannerets, 50 knights and a large number of esquires and archers. He was present at the battle of Crecy with the Earls of Warwick, Suffolk and Northampton who were all excellent commanders. Here the English army defeated the much larger French army of King Phillip. In 1360 Henry died of the Black Death.

This knight is wearing a great helm mounted with a crest and his armour is of almost complete plate, apart from the thigh defences. These were normally of silk, velvet or some other fabric covering a heavier under layer. His weapons are a sword and mace.