EDWARD of WOODSTOCK DIED A LEGEND. HE WASN'T BORN ONE. VALIANT SON reveals the essence of the man known in history as England's Black Prince. Edward grew up in a medieval world dominated by his father's political ambitions and war with France. As eldest son of King Edward III, from boyhood, duty and loyalty were drilled into the prince. While he drove himself to prove-to the king and the world-he was worthy to wear England's crown, those who knew him best, his cousin, Joan of Kent, and lifelong friend, John Chandos, understood Edward allowed people to see only what he wanted them to see. The prince embraced the tenets of knighthood, loyalty foremost. When King Edward invaded Normandy, the sixteen-year-old prince went with him. For six grueling weeks the army marched, torching everything in its path until cornered by the French. Though outnumbered four-to-one, duty demanded the prince command the vanguard. Loyal to the end, Prince Edward stepped onto the battlefield knowing every glory-seeking French chevalier's sights were set on taking down the heir to England's throne. Edward's blind faith led to a battlefield betrayal he never saw coming.