- 1443-1444: 1st Duke of Somerset
- 1443-1444: 1st Earl of Kendal
- 1418-1444: 3rd Earl of Somerset
John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset was born 25 March 1404 to John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset (c1373-1410) and Margaret Holland (1385-1439) and died 27 May 1444 of unspecified causes. He married Margaret Beauchamp (c1410-1482) 2 August 1441 JL .
Biography
He was a member of the House of Beaufort, which was descended from King Edward III of England through his third surviving son, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (1340-1399).
John Beaufort's early years were marked by political upheaval, including the deposition of his cousin, King Richard II, and the accession of the Lancastrian king, Henry IV, who was his half-brother through their shared father, John of Gaunt. John Beaufort grew up in the royal court and was educated alongside the king's sons.
In 1418, John Beaufort's father died, and he inherited the title of Earl of Somerset. He went on to serve as a military commander during the Hundred Years' War between England and France, and was involved in several important campaigns, including the Siege of Rouen in 1418-1419 and the Battle of Verneuil in 1424.
In 1443, John Beaufort was created Duke of Somerset by King Henry VI, in recognition of his military service and his position as one of the most powerful men in England. He was also appointed as Lieutenant of France, responsible for overseeing English military operations in France.
However, John Beaufort's fortunes began to decline in the 1450s, as he became embroiled in the bitter power struggles of the Wars of the Roses. He supported the Lancastrian cause, but was frequently at odds with other leading Lancastrian figures, including Richard, Duke of York, and the powerful Earl of Warwick, who resented John Beaufort's influence at court.
In 1453, John Beaufort suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and unable to speak. He withdrew from public life and died on May 27, 1444, at the age of 40. He was buried in Wimborne Minster in Dorset.
John Beaufort's legacy was largely overshadowed by the dynastic struggles of the Wars of the Roses, but he is remembered as a skilled military commander and one of the most powerful men in England during the early 15th century.
Family Life
John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset, was married twice and had several children.
1st Marriage : Margaret Beauchamp
His first marriage was to Margaret Beauchamp (c1410-1482), the daughter of Sir John Beauchamp of Bletso and Edith Stourton. They were married in 1439:
- Margaret Beaufort (1443-1509) - She was married to Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond, and was the mother of King Henry VII of England (1457-1509). - The British Royal Ancestry passes thru her.
Other Relationships
Children:
- Tacine of Somerset (c1421-) - who, being foreign-born, was made a denizen of England 20 June 1443. She married (before 29 September 1447) Reynold (or Reginald) Grey, 7th Lord Grey of Wilton by whom she had one son: John Grey, 8th Lord Grey of Wilton;
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Margaret Beaufort (1443-1509) | 31 May 1443 | 29 June 1509 | John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk (1442-c1491) Edmund Tudor, 1st Earl of Richmond (1430-1456) Henry Stafford (c1433-1471) Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby (c1435-1504) |
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Tacine of Somerset (c1421-) | |||
| John of Somerset (c1444-1453) | |||
Siblings
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Henry Beaufort, 2nd Earl of Somerset (1401-1418) | |||
| John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset (1404-1444) | 25 March 1404 | 27 May 1444 | Margaret Beauchamp (c1410-1482) |
| Thomas Beaufort, Earl of Perche (1405-1432) | |||
| Joan Beaufort (c1406-1445) | 1406 | 15 July 1445 Dunbar, East Lothian | James I, King of Scotland (1394-1437) James Stewart (c1383-aft1451) |
| Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset (1406-1455) | 1406 | 22 May 1455 | Eleanor Beauchamp (1408-1467) |
| Margaret Beaufort (c1400-1449) | |||
See Also
Bibliography
- Harriss (2004). "Beaufort, John, marquess of Dorset and marquess of Somerset". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/. http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-1861. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
- Jones, Michael K, and Malcolm G. Underwood, The King's Mother: Lady Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and Derby. Cambridge University Press, 1992. see especially pp. 17–22
- Weir, Alison (2008). Britain's Royal Families, The Complete Genealogy. London: Vintage Books. ISBN 978-0-09-953973-5.
- Griffiths, Ralph Alan (1981). [[[:Template:Googlebooks]] The Reign of King Henry VI]. London: Ernest Benn Limited. ISBN 978-0-52004-372-5. Template:Googlebooks.
- Harriss, Gerald Leslie (1988). [[[:Template:Googlebooks]] Cardinal Beaufort: A Study of Lancastrian Ascendancy and Decline]. Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 978-0-19820-135-9. Template:Googlebooks.
- Jones, Michael K. (1981). [[[:Template:Googlebooks]] "John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, and the French Expedition of 1443"]. In Griffiths, Ralph Alan. Patronage, the Crown and the Provinces in Later Medieval England. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. pp. 79–102. ISBN 978-0-39102-096-2. Template:Googlebooks.
- Jones, Michael K. (1982). The Beaufort family and the war in France, 1421–1450 (PhD). University of Bristol. OCLC 71194555. https://research-information.bristol.ac.uk/files/34504530/507865.pdf.
External Links
- wikipedia:en:John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset
- John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset at thePeerage
- John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset - Geni.com
- John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset at Find A Grave
- English Kings 1066-1603 - Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
- The Beaufort Family
Ancestry Trees
- Charlemagne Family Ancestry
- Rurik Family Ancestry
- Rollo Family Ancestry
- Alfred the Great Family Ancestry
- House of Normandy
- Plantagenet Family Line
- Capetian dynasty
- House of Lancaster
Contemporary References
Some of the best contemporary references for John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset, include:
- The Paston Letters: This is a collection of letters written by various members of the Paston family in England during the 15th century. The letters provide valuable insights into the political and social events of the time, including the Wars of the Roses and the role of John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset, in those conflicts.
- The Chronicles of Jean Froissart: Froissart was a French chronicler who wrote extensively about the Hundred Years' War and the political and military events of 14th and 15th century Europe. His chronicles provide important context for understanding John Beaufort's military campaigns in France.
- The Book of Margery Kempe: Margery Kempe was an English mystic and author who wrote a spiritual autobiography in the 15th century. Her book provides a glimpse into the religious culture of the time and mentions John Beaufort's involvement in the Siege of Rouen in 1418-1419.
- The Yorkist Chronicle: This is a chronicle written by a supporter of the Yorkist cause during the Wars of the Roses. It provides a different perspective on the political and military events of the time and includes information on John Beaufort's role in Lancastrian politics.
- The Records of the Parliament of England: The parliamentary records of England provide a wealth of information on political and legal events in the country during the medieval and early modern periods. They include discussions of John Beaufort's titles and land holdings, as well as his involvement in the governance of the country.
Royal Succession Tables
| Peerage of England | ||
|---|---|---|
| New creation | Duke of Somerset 1st creation 1443–1444 |
Vacant |
| Earl of Kendal 1443–1444 | ||
| Preceded by Henry Beaufort |
Earl of Somerset 1418–1444 |
Succeeded by Edmund Beaufort |
References
Footnotes (including sources)
| ‡ General |