The New Murrey and Blue blog

Edmund of Langley‘s expedition to Portugal is usually presented as a complete debacle, with Edmund’s ineptitude a major issue.

This article by Douglas Biggs demonstrates that this is a complete falsehood. The political situation in Portugal was complex, and from the very start, there was disagreement in the Portuguese camp as to the policy to be followed concerning Castile.

Edmund managed the situation with some skill. He also invested significant wealth into the project, despite not having much wealth to invest.

Finally, the expedition could only have succeeded with the assistance of John of Gaunt. Gaunt sat on his hands in England and did literally nothing to assist his brother. However, it was all Edmund’s fault!

Once again, it’s almost as if received history has an agenda.