Philippa of Lancaster - Early Life and Education

Early Life and Education

As the oldest child of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and Blanche of Lancaster, Philippa spent most of her childhood in the many palaces and castles owned by her father, for example the Savoy Palace in London. Here, she was raised and educated alongside her two younger siblings, Elizabeth, who was three years younger, and Henry, six years younger, who would later become King Henry IV.

Philippa’s mother died from the plague in 1369. Her father first remarried in 1371 to Infanta Constance of Castile, daughter of King Peter of Castile. After Constance's death in 1394, he married his former mistress, Katherine Swynford, who had been Philippa’s governess. The affair and eventual marriage was considered scandalous, and in the future Philippa would protect herself against such embarrassment.

Katherine seems to have been well liked by Philippa and her Lancastrian siblings and played an important role in Philippa's education. Katherine had close ties with Geoffrey Chaucer, since her sister, Philippa Roet, was Chaucer’s wife. John of Gaunt became Chaucer’s patron, and Chaucer spent much time with the family as one of Philippa’s many mentors and teachers. She was remarkably well educated for a female at the time and studied science under Friar John, poetry under Jean Froissart, and philosophy and theology under John Wycliffe. She was well read in the works of Greek and Roman scholars such as Pliny and Herodotus and was diligent in her study of religion.