Thomas Holland, 1st Earl of Kent

c. 1314–1360

Thomas Holland rose through military service in France and Flanders and became one of the founding Knights of the Garter. Before leaving on campaign, he contracted a secret marriage with Joan of Kent. When Joan was subsequently married to William Montagu, Holland petitioned the papacy to establish the validity of his earlier union.

The judgment in Holland's favour reunited the couple, and he later became Earl of Kent in right of Joan. He continued serving Edward III in France until his death in Normandy in 1360. Fictional treatments often centre on the romance and separation, while the surviving evidence is primarily legal and military.

Colin Falconer’s A Vain and Indecent Woman places Thomas Holland, 1st Earl of Kent within a narrative shaped by court politics and dynastic power, family, marriage and personal loyalty, and political ambition and government.

Series

Series featuring Thomas Holland, 1st Earl of Kent (1 series)

Epic Historical Adventure in Order

by Colin Falconer 15 books 4.3

Epic Historical Adventure is Colin Falconer's publisher-defined collection of stand-alone historical thrillers rather than a continuous narrative sequence. The novels range from Alexander the Great, Cleopatra and the Mongol Empire to the Ottoman court, the conquest of Mexico, colonial India, shipwreck and twentieth-century Palestine. Most volumes can be…

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