Mary Plantagenet, Duchess of Brittany

Mary Plantagenet

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Plantagenet

Mary Plantagenet (10 October 1344 – 1362) was the daughter of Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault. She is sometimes styled as Mary of Waltham.

Mary was betrothed in childhood to John V of Brittany, who grew up with her. As it is reported in some sources, the betrothal was held c. 1355.

In 1348 Mary met her mother and sister-in-law Joanna. Then in 1360 she went to stay with her sister-in-law Blanche of Lancaster.

On July, 03, 1361 she and John were married at Woodstock Palace[1] and acknowledged as Duke and Duchess of Brittany.

Within thirty weeks of marriage (March, 1362) Mary became lethargic and died, she was buried in Abingdon Abbey with her sister Margaret Plantagenet, Countess of Pembroke, who died weeks before her. John would marry again, firstly to Joan Holland (1366) (a cousin of Richard II of England) and secondly to Joanna of Navarre (1386).

Mary's statue can still be seen on south side of the tomb of Edward III of England in Westminster Abbey. She never did visit Brittany.[2]

Source: The book, 'Kings & Queens of Great Britain'