Black Prince, the name given Edward, Prince of Wales (1330–1376), the eldest son of Edward II of England. Prince Edward was called the Black Prince probably because he wore black armor. He was a famous knight who took a prominent part in the early battles of the Hundred Years' War against France. He won renown at the Battle of Crécy, when he was only 16 years old. In 1356 his army won the Battle of Poitiers and captured King John of France. The Black Prince died before his father. In 1377 the Prince's 10-year-old son came to the throne as Richard II.