Why is the heir to the English throne called the Prince of Wales?

JoshCaleb12

Wales is one of the four Kingdoms that make up the "United Kingdom." The title has been given to most of the eldest sons of the monarch since about 1343, the time of the Black Prince. When a monarch dies, and the Prince of Wales assumes the throne, the title is "absorbed" into the crown, and is not given out to the next in line except at the monarch's pleasure. http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/about/rol_prevprinces.html Oct 24 05, 12:54 PM

lanfranco

As your site points out, Josh, the title came into being when Edward I gave it to his infant son (later Edward II) in 1301. The child had been born in Caernarvon (or Caernarfon) Castle, and King Edward was apparently attempting to pacify Welsh rebels (he had just conquered Wales) by bestowing it on his Welsh-born son. Oct 24 05, 4:09 PM