His Grace Lord John of Lancaster Earl of Chester

Born in 1328, the 3rd son of a noble house he was sent to train under his father’s friend Sir William Mobrey Duke of Norfolk at the age of 5. He trained firstly as a Page to learn the ways of court manners, dance music and to fetch and carry for his Lord Norfolk.

At the age of 12 his training as a squire began and he learned to ride and to fight from horseback as well as on foot with all types of weapons and to read and write to prepare for knighthood.

War was declared with France in 1346 and Squire John joined Edward III’s army and sailed to France. At the battle of Crècy the French attacked 3 times and each time they were beaten back, 4000 French nobles died that day. As for the other dead, no one took the time to count.

John was knighted after the battle on 26th August 1346 for acts of valour against the French while under the command of the 16 year old Black Prince.

In Sept 1346 Sir John joined the siege of Calais and after 11 months Calais fell to Edward III.

The Black Death hit both English and French armies after the fall of Calais. Amongst those who fell to the plague was Sir John's wife leaving him 2 young daughters whom he took back to England to be cared for by an old family friend Sir Richard De Mutton.

He returned to France with the Black Prince in September 1355 to take arms against John II (The Pretender to the crown of France) who was stirring up rebellion throughout Languedoc with the aid of the count of Armagnac who led the French forces.

The Black Prince and his forces (Sir John among them) took Carcassonne on Tuesday 3 November 1455 then moved on to the Norbonne which was burned to the ground.

On Sept 19th 1356 the armies advanced into French lands and followed the Black Prince onto the field.

They fought against the armies of John II of France with only four thousand men at arms, one thousand armed sergeants and two thousand archers. John II had a French force of eight thousand men at arms under 87 standards, and an uncounted throng of sergeants.

The French attacked the same way as at the Battle of Crècy and were defeated by archers and skilled swordsmen.

The French pretender John II and his son Philip were captured. Although wounded in battle Sir John was ordered to escort the French king and his son back to England and the tower of London.

For his part played in France Sir John was given lands and properties in both France and England and with the gold captured returned a very wealthy man. Whilst visiting his daughters at Richard De Muttons Shrewsbury estate he caught the eye of his daughter.

Sir John became intrigued by Eleanor’s spirited nature and after several visits they became betrothed.

Sir John returned to France when his wounds healed to join the free companies to further serve the King and rise in favour, power and wealth.

With his new title Earl of Chester and new wife, His Grace, Lord John and his retinue are now currently under King's orders to raise and train troops to further protect our lands in the North and in France.