What happened to the Duchy of Clarence?
The Dukedom of Clarence is a vacant title traditionally created for junior members of the English, later British, royal family. It’s had a chequered history, to say the least.
Three dukes were created between 1362 and 1461, each of whom met untimely ends. The first holder, Lionel of Antwerp, son of Edward III, died in Italy in 1368, rumoured to have been poisoned by his father-in-law. The next Duke of Clarence, a son of Henry IV named Thomas of Lancaster, was slain during the battle of Baugé in France in 1421. Forty years later, George Plantagenet was created the new duke, but would prove a less than loyal sibling to his king, Edward IV – he was executed for treason aged just 28, allegedly drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine.
The luckless Clarence name was revived just twice more. In 1789 the future William IV was created Duke of Clarence and St Andrews, dying without a legitimate heir; and in 1890 Prince Albert Victor was made the new Duke of Clarence and Avondale. Albert Victor was connected to several large scandals during and after his life, such as the spurious allegation that he was Jack the Ripper. The Clarence name, ill-fated as it was, has not been used since.