Joan the daughter of Edward I, then Prince of Wales
Henry I - Henry II - King Stephen - Henry III - Edward I - Edward II - Edward III - Richard II - Bohun - Clare, Suffolk - Botetourt
Joan of Acre is supposedly buried in Clare Priory. The priory is a religious retreat and not normally open to the general public.
If John Botetourt was the illegitimate son of Edward I, and I am not saying that he is, they would be half brother and sisters. Joan was born in 1272 in Acre, in what is now Israel, when Lord Edward was on Crusade.
John Botetourt was born 1265. Edward married Eleanor 1254 (b. 1241 so she was only 13 if Wikipedia can be believed) Edward was born 1239 so he was 26 when John was born. John's birth pre-dates the marriage to Eleanor by 9 years, Eleanor was then 4 years old. It is unlikely that Edward would have been interested in Eleanor in sexual manner. Edward and Eleanor were second cousins once removed, so they definitely knew each other.
As a 26 year old, Edwards hormones had to have been active and definitely not interested in a future marriage to a then 4 year old cousin. While it is not known who the mother of John Botetourt was (for sure) I don't think that it was a question of "fidelity". Edward was the oldest son of Henry III who was in despute with Alphonso X of Gascony in 1252. The marriage to Eleanor of Castile was as a consequence of this dispute.
Joan of Acre
Joan of Acre was daughter of Edward I. She was born to Lord Edward and Eleanor of Castile
My interest in Joan is two-fold. Firstly, the presence of the the de Clare family in the North Essex South Suffolk region and its history. Secondly, a possible connection between the de Botetourt family, and the de Clares - and possibly a connection to Edward I
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Joan of Acre (April 1272 – 23 April 1307) was an English princess, a daughter of Edward I of England and Eleanor of Castile.[2]
The name "Acre" derives from her birthplace in the Holy Land while her parents were on a crusade.
She was married twice; her first husband was Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester, one of the
most powerful nobles in her father's kingdom; her second husband was Ralph de Monthermer, a squire in
her household whom she married in secret.
Joan is most notable for the claim that miracles have allegedly taken place at her grave, and for the
multiple references to her in literature.
Joan of Acre's daughter, Eleanor
Eleanor de Clare or Baroness la Zouche (Eleanor la Zouche) was Joan's daughter. The Wikipedia page
on her says that her second husband was Ralph de Monthermer.
Burial - 26 April 1307, Clare Priory, Suffolk, England
Joan is recorded to be buried at Clare Priory.
