Philippa of Lancaster

Philippa of Lancaster, born to the English royal family, became Queen of Portugal through her marriage to King John I, reigning from 1387 until her death in 1415. Her marriage was pivotal in securing the Treaty of Windsor and produced the ‘Illustrious Generation’ in Portugal. As the eldest child of John of Gaunt and Blanche of Lancaster, Philippa moved frequently during her infancy, receiving her education alongside her siblings Elizabeth and Henry, who later became King Henry IV.

After the death of her mother and her father’s subsequent remarriages, Philippa’s stepmother, Katherine Swynford, became a significant figure in her life and education. She was well-educated, studying under several mentors including Friar John, Jean Froissart, and John Wycliffe, and was knowledgeable in various scholarly works. Philippa’s dedication to her studies was notable during a time when women’s education was often limited.