Blanche Electress Palatine

Blanche of England, born in the spring of 1392 and passing on 22 May 1409, was a member of the House of Lancaster. She was the daughter of King Henry IV of England and his first wife, Mary de Bohun. Blanche was named after her paternal grandmother and was the sixth of seven children. Her birthplace was Peterborough Castle, and at the time, her father held the titles of Earl of Derby, Earl of Northampton, and Earl of Hereford, and was heir to the Duchy of Lancaster.

Blanche’s life was marked by significant political events, including her father’s usurpation of the English throne in 1399. She married Louis III, Elector Palatine, in a politically motivated union on 6 July 1402, which was considered happy. Blanche gave birth to a son named Rupert in 1406 and was made Lady of the Garter in 1408. Her life was cut short at the age of 17 when she died of fever while pregnant with her second child. She was buried in the Church of St. Mary in Neustadt in the Palatinate.