Page "Joan of Kent" Paragraph 4

In 1340, at the age of twelve, Joan entered into a clandestine marriage with Thomas Holland of Upholland, Lancashire without first gaining the royal consent necessary for couples of their rank.

The following winter ( 1340 or 1341 ), while Holland was overseas, her family forced her to marry William Montacute, son and heir of the first Earl of Salisbury.

Joan later averred that she did not disclose her existing marriage with Thomas Holland because she had been afraid that disclosing it would lead to Thomas's execution for treason upon his return.

She may also have become convinced that the earlier marriage was invalid.