John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset

25 March 1404 - 30 May 1444

House: Beaufort, Lancaster, Holland

Titles: 1st Duke of Somerset, 3rd Earl of Somerset, KG, Earl of Kendal, Captain-General of Guyenne, Admiral of the Sea

John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset, 3rd Earl of Somerset, KG, was an English nobleman and military commander during the Hundred Years’ War, and the maternal grandfather of Henry VII. He was the second son of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset, and Margaret Holland, connecting him to significant royal lineages including Edward III and Edward I.

Beaufort’s career included succeeding his brother as Earl of Somerset, fighting in France, and being captured for 17 years. Upon release, he was appointed to several high-ranking positions but was criticized for his military leadership, which coincided with English territorial losses in France. His death in 1444 marked the decline of Beaufort influence in English politics.

Notable events

25 March 1404
Born as the second son of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset
1418
Succeeded his elder brother as 3rd Earl of Somerset
1419
Fought in French campaigns under King Henry V
1421
Captured in France and imprisoned for 17 years
1438
Released from imprisonment and ransomed
1443
Created Duke of Somerset and Earl of Kendal
1443
Led a military campaign to Cherbourg and Gascony
August 1443
Blundered into Guerche, violating a peace treaty
1444
Death, possibly by suicide
Posthumous
His death marked the end of Beaufort influence and paved the way for the Duke of Suffolk's dominance

Other details

Death: Died at age 40, possibly by suicide. Buried at Wimborne Minster church.

Children: 1 legitimate (Margaret Beaufort), illegitimate unknown

Marriages: Margaret Beauchamp

Parents: Father: John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset. Mother: Margaret Holland.

Sources

Compiled from various 3rd hand sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/