Katherine Swynford

c. 1349 - 10 May 1403

House: Lancaster, Beaufort

Titles: Duchess of Lancaster, Duchess consort of Aquitaine, Lady of the Garter

Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster and Aquitaine, was born Katherine de Roet around 1349 and passed away on 10 May 1403. Initially the wife of Hugh Swynford, she later became the third wife of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, after serving as lady-in-waiting to his daughters and managing her late husband’s estates. She bore John of Gaunt at least four children who were later legitimized and took the surname Beaufort.

Following the death of her second husband, John of Gaunt, Katherine lived in Lincoln until her death. She was interred at Lincoln Cathedral. Her descendants, the Beaufort family, significantly influenced the Wars of the Roses, and through her lineage, all English and subsequent British monarchs from Edward IV can trace their ancestry back to her.

Notable events

c. 1349
Born as Katherine de Roet in the County of Hainaut.
1362
Married Hugh Swynford, with whom she had several children.
1371
Became a widow upon the death of Hugh Swynford.
1396
Married John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and became Duchess of Lancaster.
1399
Widowed for the second time after the death of John of Gaunt.
1399
Her stepson, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended to the throne as Henry IV.
1387
Became a Lady of the Garter.
1396
Received a papal bull legitimizing her marriage and her children with John of Gaunt.
1485
Her great-grandson Henry VII became King of England, founding the Tudor dynasty.
10 May 1403
Passed away in Lincoln.

Other details

Death: Died at the age of approximately 52-53 in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, and was buried at Lincoln Cathedral.

Children: Blanche, Margaret, Dorothy, Thomas, John Beaufort, Henry Beaufort, Thomas Beaufort, Joan Beaufort

Marriages: Married to Hugh Swynford and later to John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster.

Parents: Father was Payne de Roet.

Sources

Compiled from various 3rd hand sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/