- 1st Earl of Somerset
John de Beaufort, 1st Marquess of Somerset, 1st Marquess of Dorset, 1st Earl of Somerset, was born circa 1371 to John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (1340-1399) and Catherine De Roet (1350-1403) and died 16 March 1409 of unspecified causes. He married Margaret Holland (1385-1439) 28 September 1397 JL .
Biography
John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset, was a prominent figure in English history during the 15th century. He was the eldest son of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and his mistress Catherine Swynford.
Overall, John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset, was a prominent figure in English history during the 15th century. He was a skilled military leader and a prominent politician, and his descendants went on to play a significant role in the dynastic struggles of the Wars of the Roses. Here's all about him:
Early Life and Career
John Beaufort was born in around 1373, and as the son of an unmarried couple (John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (1340-1399) and Catherine De Roet (1350-1403), he was considered illegitimate. However, in 1390, his father obtained a papal dispensation to legitimize him and his siblings. John Beaufort was subsequently raised in the royal court and was given a good education. He became a prominent military leader and served in various campaigns in France during the Hundred Years' War.
Political Career
After returning from France, John Beaufort became involved in English politics. He was appointed to various positions in the royal household and became a member of parliament. In 1410, he was created Earl of Somerset by King Henry IV, in recognition of his military and political service. He was later appointed Lord High Admiral of England and played a key role in suppressing the rebellion of Sir John Oldcastle.
Death and Legacy
John Beaufort died on 16 March 1410 at the age of around 37. He was buried in St Michael's Chapel in Canterbury Cathedral. His son Henry Beaufort later became one of the wealthiest and most influential men in England, and his descendants played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses.
Marriage and Children
John Beaufort married Margaret Holland (1385-1439), the daughter of Thomas Holland, Earl of Kent, and they had six children.
- Henry Beaufort, 2nd Earl of Somerset (1401-1418) - eldest son and heir. He was born in around 1401 and went on to become Bishop of Winchester. He was a powerful figure in English politics during the reigns of Henry VI and Edward IV.
- John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset (1404-1444)
- Thomas Beaufort, Earl of Perche (1405-1432) - He became Duke of Exeter and served as an important military commander during the Hundred Years' War. He died in 1432.
- Joan Beaufort (c1406-1445) - She married James I of Scotland and became the mother of James II.
- Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset (1406-1455) - He became Earl of Dorset and later Duke of Somerset. He played a prominent role in the Wars of the Roses and was a key ally of the Lancastrian king, Henry VI.
- Margaret Beaufort (c1400-1449) - born in around 1411 and was John Beaufort's youngest child. She married Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby, and became the mother of Henry VII, the first Tudor king of England.
Children
| 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) | |||
Siblings
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Philippa of Lancaster (1360-1415) | 31 March 1360 Leicester Castle, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom | 19 July 1415 Odivelas, Portugal | John I of Portugal (1357-1433) |
| John of Lancaster (1362-1362) | |||
| Elizabeth of Lancaster (1363-1425) | 1363 | 24 November 1425 Burford, Shropshire, England, United Kingdom | John Hastings, 3rd Earl of Pembroke (1372-1389) John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter (c1352-1400) John Cornwall, 1st Baron Fanhope (c1364-1443) |
| Edward of Lancaster (1365-1365) | |||
| John of Lancaster (1366-1366) | |||
| Henry IV of England (1367-1413) | 3 April 1367 Bolingbroke Castle, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom | 20 March 1413 Westminster Abbey, London, England, United Kingdom | Mary de Bohun (c1368-1394) Joanna of Navarre (1370-1437) |
| Isabel of Lancaster (1368-1368) | |||
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Katherine of Lancaster (1372-1418) | 6 June 1372 Hertford Castle, Hertford, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom | 2 June 1418 Valladolid, Spain | Henry III of Castile (1379-1405) |
| John of Lancaster (1374-1374) | |||
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset (c1373-1410) | 1371 | 16 March 1409 | Margaret Holland (1385-1439) |
| Henry Cardinal Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester (1375-1447) | |||
| Thomas Beaufort, 1st Duke of Exeter (1377-1426) | |||
| Joan Beaufort (1379-1440) | 1379 Château de Beaufort, Haute-Loire, France | 13 November 1440 Howden, Yorkshire, England | Robert, 3rd Baron Ferrers of Wemme (c1373-1396) Ralph de Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland (c1364-1425) |
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Blanche of Lancaster (1359-1388) | 1359 | 1388 | Thomas Morieux (1355-1387) |
See Also
Bibliography
- Armitage-Smith, Sydney. John of Gaunt, King of Castile and Leon, Duke of Lancaster, &c.. Constable, 1904.
- Brown (2004). "Joan [Joan Beaufort (d. 1445)"]. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/. http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/14646. (subscription or UK public library membership required) (subscription required)
- 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
- Marshall, Rosalind (2003). Scottish Queens, 1034-1714. Tuckwell Press.
- Weir, Alison (2007). Katherine Swynford: The story of John of Gaunt and his Scandalous Duchess. London: Jonathan Cape. ISBN 978-0-224-06321-0.
- Weir, Alison (2008). Britain's Royal Families, The Complete Genealogy. London: Vintage Books. ISBN 978-0-09-953973-5.
External Links
- wikipedia:en:John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset
- John of Gaunt at thePeerage
- John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset - Geni.com
- John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset at Find A Grave
- English Kings 1066-1603 - Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
- Sir Jean Froissart: John of Gaunt in Portugal, 1385
- The Beaufort Family
- The Courtenay 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 Earl of Somerset, include:
- "The Chronicles of London" by Arnold Fitz Thedmar: This 14th-century chronicle provides a detailed account of John Beaufort's life and career, including his role in the English campaigns in France and his appointment as Earl of Somerset.
- "The Paston Letters" by various authors: The Paston Letters are a collection of letters and documents written by the Paston family during the 15th century. They provide a fascinating glimpse into the political and social life of the period, and include several references to John Beaufort and his family.
- "The History of England" by Raphael Holinshed: Holinshed's History of England, published in 1577, includes an account of John Beaufort's life and career, as well as his role in the Wars of the Roses.
- "The Annals of England" by John Stow: Stow's Annals of England, first published in 1592, provides a detailed chronology of English history from the earliest times to the late 16th century. It includes several references to John Beaufort and his family.
- "The Chronicles of Jean Froissart" by Jean Froissart: Froissart's Chronicles, written in the 14th century, provide a detailed account of the Hundred Years' War between England and France. They include several references to John Beaufort's military campaigns in France.
Royal Succession Charts
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by The Duke of York |
Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports 1398–1399 |
Succeeded by Sir Thomas Erpynham |
| Peerage of England | ||
| New creation | Earl of Somerset 1397–1410 |
Succeeded by Henry Beaufort |
References
Footnotes (including sources)
| ‡ General |