Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset
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Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset, KG
(1406 – 22 May 1455), sometimes styled 1st Duke of Somerset, was an English nobleman and an important figure in the Wars of the Roses
and in the Hundred Years' War
. He also succeeded in the title of 4th Earl of Somerset and was created 1st Earl of Dorset and 1st Marquess of Dorset (previously held by his father and later forfeited), and Count of Mortain. He was known for his deadly rivalry with Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York
.
and Margaret Holland
. His paternal grandparents were John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Katherine Swynford
. His maternal grandparents were Thomas Holland, 2nd Earl of Kent
and Alice FitzAlan
. Alice was a daughter of Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel
and Eleanor of Lancaster
.
Although head of one of the greatest families in England, his inheritance was worth only 300 pounds. By contrast his rival, Richard, Duke of York
, had a net worth of 5,800 pounds. His cousin King Henry VI
's efforts to compensate Somerset with offices worth 3,000 pounds only served to offend many of the nobles and as his quarrel with York grew more personal, the dynastic situation got worse. Another quarrel with the Earl of Warwick over the lordships of Glamorgan
and Morgannwg may have forced the leader of the younger Nevilles into York's camp.
His brothers were taken captive at the Battle of Baugé
in 1421, but Edmund was too young at the time to fight. He acquired much military experience while his brothers were prisoners. He became a commander in the English army in 1431. After his re-capture of Harfleur
he was named a Knight of the Garter in 1436. After subsequent successes he was created Earl of Dorset (1442) and the next year Marquess of Dorset. During the five year truce from 1444 to 1449 he served as Lieutenant of France. In March 1448 he was created Duke of Somerset. As the title had previously been held by his brother
, he is usually called the second duke.
Somerset was appointed to replace York as commander in France in 1448. Fighting began in Normandy in August 1449. Somerset's subsequent military failures left him vulnerable to criticism from York's allies. Somerset was supposed to be paid £20,000; but little evidence exists that he was. He failed to repulse French attacks, and by the summer of 1450 nearly all the English possessions in northern France were lost. By 1453, all the English possessions in the south of France were lost as well, and the Battle of Castillon
ended the Hundred Years War.
Power had rested with Somerset from 1451 and was virtually monopolized by him until the King went insane and York was named Lord Protector
. York imprisoned Somerset in the Tower of London
, and his life was probably saved only by the King's seeming recovery late in 1454, which forced York to surrender his office.
By now York was determined to depose Somerset by one means or another, and in May 1455 he raised an army. He confronted Somerset and the King in an engagement known as the First Battle of St Albans
which marked the beginning of the Wars of the Roses
. Somerset was killed in a last wild charge from the house where he had been sheltering. His son, Henry
, never forgave Warwick and York for his father's death, and he spent the next nine years attempting to restore his family's honour.
, daughter of Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick
and his first wife, Elizabeth de Berkeley
, daughter and heiress of Thomas de Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley
and Margaret de Lisle, 3rd Baroness Lisle. Eleanor was an older half-sister of Henry de Beauchamp, 1st Duke of Warwick
and Anne Neville, 16th Countess of Warwick
.
Their unlicensed marriage was later pardoned on 7 March 1438, and they had the following children:
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
(1406 – 22 May 1455), sometimes styled 1st Duke of Somerset, was an English nobleman and an important figure in the Wars of the Roses
Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York...
and in the Hundred Years' War
Hundred Years' War
The Hundred Years' War was a series of separate wars waged from 1337 to 1453 by the House of Valois and the House of Plantagenet, also known as the House of Anjou, for the French throne, which had become vacant upon the extinction of the senior Capetian line of French kings...
. He also succeeded in the title of 4th Earl of Somerset and was created 1st Earl of Dorset and 1st Marquess of Dorset (previously held by his father and later forfeited), and Count of Mortain. He was known for his deadly rivalry with Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York
Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York
Richard Plantagenêt, 3rd Duke of York, 6th Earl of March, 4th Earl of Cambridge, and 7th Earl of Ulster, conventionally called Richard of York was a leading English magnate, great-grandson of King Edward III...
.
Life
Edmund Beaufort was the third surviving son of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of SomersetJohn Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset
John Beaufort, 1st Marquess of Somerset and 1st Marquess of Dorset, later only 1st Earl of Somerset, KG was the first of the four illegitimate children of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his mistress Katherine Swynford, later his wife...
and Margaret Holland
Margaret Holland
Margaret Holland, Countess of Somerset was the daughter of Thomas Holland, 2nd Earl of Kent, who was the son of Joan "the Fair Maid of Kent"...
. His paternal grandparents were John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Katherine Swynford
Katherine Swynford
Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster , née Roet , was the daughter of Sir Payne Roet , originally a Flemish herald from County of Hainaut, later...
. His maternal grandparents were Thomas Holland, 2nd Earl of Kent
Thomas Holland, 2nd Earl of Kent
Thomas Holland , 2nd Earl of Kent, 3rd Baron Holand KG was an English nobleman and a councillor of his half-brother, King Richard II of England.-Family and early Life:...
and Alice FitzAlan
Alice FitzAlan (1350-1416)
Alice Holland, Countess of Kent , formerly Lady Alice FitzAlan, was an English noblewoman, a daughter of the 10th Earl of Arundel, and the wife of the 2nd Earl of Kent, the half-brother of King Richard II. She was the maternal grandmother of Anne Mortimer, thus an ancestor of King Edward IV and...
. Alice was a daughter of Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel
Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel
Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel and 8th Earl of Surrey was an English nobleman and medieval military leader.- Lineage :...
and Eleanor of Lancaster
Eleanor of Lancaster
Eleanor of Lancaster, Countess of Arundel was the fifth daughter of Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster and Maud Chaworth.-First marriage and issue:...
.
Although head of one of the greatest families in England, his inheritance was worth only 300 pounds. By contrast his rival, Richard, Duke of York
Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York
Richard Plantagenêt, 3rd Duke of York, 6th Earl of March, 4th Earl of Cambridge, and 7th Earl of Ulster, conventionally called Richard of York was a leading English magnate, great-grandson of King Edward III...
, had a net worth of 5,800 pounds. His cousin King Henry VI
Henry VI of England
Henry VI was King of England from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471, and disputed King of France from 1422 to 1453. Until 1437, his realm was governed by regents. Contemporaneous accounts described him as peaceful and pious, not suited for the violent dynastic civil wars, known as the Wars...
's efforts to compensate Somerset with offices worth 3,000 pounds only served to offend many of the nobles and as his quarrel with York grew more personal, the dynastic situation got worse. Another quarrel with the Earl of Warwick over the lordships of Glamorgan
Glamorgan
Glamorgan or Glamorganshire is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. It was originally an early medieval kingdom of varying boundaries known as Glywysing until taken over by the Normans as a lordship. Glamorgan is latterly represented by the three...
and Morgannwg may have forced the leader of the younger Nevilles into York's camp.
His brothers were taken captive at the Battle of Baugé
Battle of Baugé
The Battle of Baugé, fought between the English and the Franco-Scots on 21 March 1421 in Baugé, France, east of Angers, was a major defeat for the English in the Hundred Years' War...
in 1421, but Edmund was too young at the time to fight. He acquired much military experience while his brothers were prisoners. He became a commander in the English army in 1431. After his re-capture of Harfleur
Harfleur
-Population:-Places of interest:* The church of St-Martin, dating from the fourteenth century.* The seventeenth century Hôtel de Ville .* Medieval ramparts * The fifteenth century museums of fishing and of archaeology and history....
he was named a Knight of the Garter in 1436. After subsequent successes he was created Earl of Dorset (1442) and the next year Marquess of Dorset. During the five year truce from 1444 to 1449 he served as Lieutenant of France. In March 1448 he was created Duke of Somerset. As the title had previously been held by his brother
John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset
John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset, KG was an English noble and military commander.-Family:Baptised on 25 March 1404, he was the second son of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset and Margaret Holland, and succeeded his elder brother Henry Beaufort, 2nd Earl of Somerset to become the 3rd Earl of...
, he is usually called the second duke.
Somerset was appointed to replace York as commander in France in 1448. Fighting began in Normandy in August 1449. Somerset's subsequent military failures left him vulnerable to criticism from York's allies. Somerset was supposed to be paid £20,000; but little evidence exists that he was. He failed to repulse French attacks, and by the summer of 1450 nearly all the English possessions in northern France were lost. By 1453, all the English possessions in the south of France were lost as well, and the Battle of Castillon
Battle of Castillon
The Battle of Castillon of 1453 was the last battle fought between the French and the English during the Hundred Years' War. It resulted in a decisive French victory.-Context:...
ended the Hundred Years War.
Power had rested with Somerset from 1451 and was virtually monopolized by him until the King went insane and York was named Lord Protector
Lord Protector
Lord Protector is a title used in British constitutional law for certain heads of state at different periods of history. It is also a particular title for the British Heads of State in respect to the established church...
. York imprisoned Somerset in the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
, and his life was probably saved only by the King's seeming recovery late in 1454, which forced York to surrender his office.
By now York was determined to depose Somerset by one means or another, and in May 1455 he raised an army. He confronted Somerset and the King in an engagement known as the First Battle of St Albans
First Battle of St Albans
The First Battle of St Albans, fought on 22 May 1455 at St Albans, 22 miles north of London, traditionally marks the beginning of the Wars of the Roses. Richard, Duke of York and his ally, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, defeated the Lancastrians under Edmund, Duke of Somerset, who was killed...
which marked the beginning of the Wars of the Roses
Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York...
. Somerset was killed in a last wild charge from the house where he had been sheltering. His son, Henry
Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset
Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset was an important Lancastrian military commander during the English Wars of the Roses. He is sometimes numbered the 2nd Duke of Somerset, since the title was re-created for his father after his uncle died...
, never forgave Warwick and York for his father's death, and he spent the next nine years attempting to restore his family's honour.
Family
Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset married before 1436, Lady Eleanor Beauchamp, widow of Thomas de Ros, 9th Baron de RosThomas de Ros, 9th Baron de Ros
Thomas de Ros, 9th Baron de Ros of Helmsley was an English nobleman.-Lineage:He was the second son of William de Ros, 7th Baron de Ros and Margaret Fitzalan...
, daughter of Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick
Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick
Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick, Count of Aumale, KG was an English medieval nobleman and military commander.-Early Life:...
and his first wife, Elizabeth de Berkeley
Elizabeth Beauchamp, Countess of Warwick
Elizabeth Beauchamp , Countess of Warwick was born in Berkeley Castle, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England to Thomas de Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley and Margaret de Lisle, Baroness Lisle....
, daughter and heiress of Thomas de Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley
Thomas de Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley
Thomas de Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley the Magnificent was an English peer born in the Berkeley Castle, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England to Maurice de Berkeley, 4th Baron Berkeley and Elizabeth le Despencer....
and Margaret de Lisle, 3rd Baroness Lisle. Eleanor was an older half-sister of Henry de Beauchamp, 1st Duke of Warwick
Henry de Beauchamp, 1st Duke of Warwick
Henry de Beauchamp, 1st Duke of Warwick was an English nobleman.He was the son of Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick and Isabel le Despenser...
and Anne Neville, 16th Countess of Warwick
Anne Neville, 16th Countess of Warwick
Anne de Beauchamp, 16th Countess of Warwick was the daughter of Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick, and his second wife Isabel le Despenser. Isabel was a daughter of Thomas le Despenser Anne de Beauchamp, 16th Countess of Warwick (13 July 1426 – 20 September 1492) was the daughter of...
.
Their unlicensed marriage was later pardoned on 7 March 1438, and they had the following children:
- Eleanor BeaufortEleanor BeaufortEleanor Beaufort was the daughter of Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset and his second wife, Lady Eleanor Beauchamp, Duchess of Somerset. She was a sister of the 3rd and 4th Dukes of Somerset....
, Countess of Ormonde, married first James Butler, 5th Earl of OrmondeJames Butler, 5th Earl of OrmondeJames Butler, 5th Earl of Ormond, 1st Earl of Wiltshire, KG was born on 24 November 1420. He was the son of James Butler, 4th Earl of Ormond and Joan de Beauchamp...
and second Sir Robert Spencer; the parents of Margaret SpencerMargaret SpencerMargaret Spencer was the daughter of Sir Robert Spencer, of Spencercombe, in the English County of Devon, by his wife Lady Eleanor Beaufort, the daughter of Edmund Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset and Lady Eleanor Beauchamp.In 1490, she was married to Sir Thomas Carey, of Chilton Foliat, in...
. - Elizabeth Beaufort (d. before 1472), married Sir Henry FitzLewis.
- Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of SomersetHenry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of SomersetHenry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset was an important Lancastrian military commander during the English Wars of the Roses. He is sometimes numbered the 2nd Duke of Somerset, since the title was re-created for his father after his uncle died...
(1436–1464) - Margaret Beaufort, Countess of StaffordMargaret Beaufort, Countess of StaffordMargaret Beaufort was a daughter of Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset and Lady Eleanor Beauchamp.Her maternal grandparents were Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick and his first wife Elizabeth Beauchamp, 4th Baroness Lisle...
(bef. 1439–1474), married first Humphrey, Earl of StaffordHumphrey Stafford, Earl of StaffordHumphrey Stafford , generally known by his courtesy title of Earl of Stafford was the son of Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Anne Neville ....
and second Sir Richard Darell. - Edmund Beaufort, 4th Duke of SomersetEdmund Beaufort, 4th Duke of SomersetEdmund Beaufort, 4th Duke of Somerset, 6th Earl of Somerset, 3rd Marquess of Dorset, 3rd Earl of Dorset was an English nobleman and military commander during the Wars of the Roses....
(c. 1439– 4 May 1471) - Anne Beaufort (c. 1453 – c. 1496), married Sir William Paston, Esq.
- John Beaufort, Earl of DorsetJohn Beaufort, Marquess of DorsetJohn Beaufort, Marquess of Dorset, Earl of Dorset was a member of the Beaufort family during the Wars of the Roses.He was the third son of Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset and his wife, Lady Eleanor Beauchamp, daughter of Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick...
(c. 1455– 4 May 1471) - Lady Joan Beaufort (d. 11 August 1518), married first Robert St Lawrence, 3rd Baron HowthRobert St Lawrence, 3rd Baron HowthRobert St.Lawrence, 3rd Baron Howth was a leading statesman in 15th-century Ireland who held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and had through marriage a close connection of the Tudor dynasty.- Background :...
and second Sir Richard Fry. No issue. - Thomas Beaufort (c. 1455–c. 1463)
- Mary Beaufort (b. between 1431 and 1455)