I.

Edmund Plantagenet, surnamed De Langley, from his birth-place, fifth son

of king Edward III., was first created earl of Cambridge by his father,

and afterwards created duke of York by his nephew, Richard II. He was

much influenced by his brother, the duke of Gloucester; and an

historian of the period calls him “a soft prince.” It is certain that he

had few stirring qualities, and that passive virtues were not valued in

an age when they were of little service to contending parties. In 1402,

three years after the accession of Henry IV., he died at his manor of

Langley, and was interred in the priory there.