... were both grandsons of Edward III, and this makes them first cousins. Richard's father was Edward's oldest son, Edward of Woodstock – known today as the Black Prince – who died of dysentry in June 1376, predeceasing his father by just over a year. Henry's father was John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster – the fifth child, and fourth son, of Edward III. (Edward's second son died in infancy; the third, Lionel of Antwerp, died in 1368, aged 29, having no male heirs.)
Richard was the Black Prince's second son. His elder brother, Edward of Angoulême, died in 1370, aged five years.
John of Gaunt's eldest son was known as Henry Bolingbroke (after the place of his birth) when he seized power from his cousin Richard II.
© Haydn Thompson 2021