The Annals of Worcester record the birth “Non Aug…apud Wodestok” in 1301 of “regina [filium]…Edmundum”. King Edward II issued a charter dated 18 Apr 1318 to “Thomæ comiti Norffolciæ et marescallo Angliæ et Edmundo de Wodestok fratribus nostris...executoribus testamenti bonæ memoriæ Margaretæ nuper reginæ Angliæ matris nostræ”.
Summoned to Parliament 1320 as Lord Woodstock. Appointed Keeper of Kent, Dover Castle and the Cinque Ports 16 Jun 1321.
Created Earl of Kent 28 Jul 1321. He supported King Edward II, with his brother Thomas, in his campaign against the enemies of the Despenser family in Autumn 1321. He presided at the trial of Thomas Earl of Lancaster at Pontefract Castle 1321. He accompanied Queen Isabelle on her flight to France, and returned with her to England in 1326 to overthrow King Edward II. Created Earl of Arundel 26 Feb 1327, the King also granted him all the forfeited lands of Hugh Despenser in Leicestershire (except the manor of Loughborough). Having received reports that his half-brother Edward II was still alive, he plotted to have him restored to the throne, and was condemned to death for treason. He supported his deposed half-brother King Edward II, and was executed on the orders of Queen Isabella and Mortimer.
The Annals of Bermondsey record the beheading 10 Dec 1328 “apud Wyntoniam” of “Edmundus Wodestok comes Kantiæ, avunculus Edwardi regis tertii” betrayed by “Isabellæ reginæ et Rogeri Mortymer comitis Marchiæ”. His earldom was forfeited. 1
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BIOGRAPHY
Edmund Plantagenet, 1st earl of Kent, byname Edmund Of Woodstock... youngest brother of England’s King Edward II, whom he supported to the forfeit of his own life.
He received many marks of favour from his brother, whom he steadily supported until the last act in Edward’s life opened in 1326. He fought in Scotland and then in France and was a member of the council when Edward III became king in 1327. Soon at variance with Queen Isabella and her lover, Roger Mortimer, Edmund was involved in a conspiracy to restore Edward II, who he was led to believe was still alive (he had been murdered in September 1327); Edmund was arrested and beheaded. Although he had been condemned as a traitor, his elder son Edmund (c. 1327–33) was recognized as earl of Kent in December 1330, the title passing on his death to his brother John (c. 1330–52). 2
Edmund was more commonly called "Edmund of Woodstock."