He was the son of Edward III of England and heir apparent to the English throne until his early death from dysentery, aged 45.

He died on 8 June 1376 at the Royal Palace of Westminster, and per his wishes was buried at an extravagant ceremony in Canterbury Cathedral, Kent, on 29 September.

It contains highly detailed descriptions of his tomb's design, including the materials to be used and a stipulation that he be depicted "fully armed in plate of war".

[5][6] His will contains the full text of the epithet, and that the monument was to be positioned 10 ft (3.0 m) from the altar of the chapel of Our Lady of the Undercroft in Canterbury Cathedral.

[7] His choice of Canterbury Cathedral was influenced by his belief that Thomas Becket (d. 1170 and also interred in the Trinity Chapel) had interceded to aid him at the Battle of Poitiers, which he led against the French army commanded by King John II, on 19 September 1356, during the Hundred Years' War.

[8] Edward instructed that "two warhorses, covered with trappings of my own armour and equipment, proceed before my body ... carrying all my banners, badges and insignia".

The garments worn over his armour include a bascinet (an open-faced helmet), a ceremonial cap, an aventail (rows of chain mail), a leopard crest, and an arse-girdle.

[7] According to the historian David Green, the text describes "the inevitable corruption of all earthly things ... [and] a sense of disgust and pity for the human condition".

Six show his arms, and six contain the three ostrich plumes representing his role as the Prince of Wales, and each containing his motto "houmout" (high spirits);[15] which he interpreted as being possessed of, according to Green, an "almost supernatural strength" and leadership, which he felt he had displayed at the Battle of Poitiers, the Battle of Nájera and later victories.