Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and his siblings

 

It is difficult to keep track of the various ‘Somersets’ who pop up in the Wars of the Roses, and easy to confuse them.

Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset (1436-1464) was the third Duke of his line. He succeeded to the title on the death of his father at the first Battle of St. Albans, in 1455, when he was still in his late teens. He was destined to be one of the more effective Lancastrian military commanders, although, during the first few years after St. Albans, he often showed a violent temper and a tendency to indulge in what might be called brawls.

His attitude may perhaps be understood if he took the view that his father had been murdered, rather than killed ‘fairly’ in battle. His bitterness against York and Warwick is rather obvious.

It was this Somerset who was in command of the victorious Lancastrian forces at Wakefield and St. Albans (second). He was fortunate to escape from the defeat at Towton, as he would almost certainly have been executed if captured.

After a brief exile in mainland Europe, Somerset was back as commander of Bamburgh Castle. On 24 December 1462, he surrendered to Edward IV who, rather surprisingly pardoned him and eventually restored his title and estates the next year. For a time they appeared to be close friends, with Somerset even sharing Edward’s bed on occasions, a mark of favour and trust.

In July 1463, Edward IV led an army northwards to tackle the remaining Lancastrian resistance, with Somerset in his company. At Northampton, however, there was a riot against Somerset that put his life in danger. Edward therefore sent him off to the Welsh Marches for safety.

Here, Somerset had a further change of heart. Possibly because there were Lancastrian supporters in the area where he was lodged. Early in 1464 he fled northwards and rejoined Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou. However, on 14 May they were severely defeated by Yorkist forces under John Neville at Hexham. Somerset was executed and his attainder was renewed.

Henry Beaufort never married, but he had a son, Charles, with a woman called Joan Hill of whom little is known. The present Duke of Beaufort is a descendant. 

Setting aside Henry’s Roos half-siblings – his father was his mother’s second husband – he had the following Beaufort siblings:

Margaret. Born about 1427, she married Sir Humphrey Stafford, heir to the Duke of Buckingham. They had two sons, Henry, who, as Duke of Buckingham came to an ill end when he turned on Richard III; and Humphrey, who died young.

After Stafford’s death, she married Sir Richard Darrell, about 1455. They had a daughter, Margaret, who married James Tuchet, who became Lord Audley on his father’s death in 1490. Margaret died in 1488.

Eleanor was born in 1431. She married James Butler, Earl of Ormond, who died in 1461. (Beheaded after Towton.) No children. Eleanor then married Sir Robert Spencer and had two daughters. She died in 1501.

Joan was born in 1433. Married, in 1478, Sir Robert St. Lawrence, Baron Howth. He died in 1488. There was one son, Thomas.

Joan then married Richard Frye, Esquire. No children. Joan died in 1518.

Anne was born in 1435. About 1469, she married William Paston, younger brother of John Paston I. They had a son and four daughters. Anne died in 1496.

Edmund was born about 1439 and executed in 1471 after the Battle of Tewkesbury. Titular Duke of Somerset. No legitimate children.

John born about 1441, died in 1471 at the Battle of Tewkesbury. Titular Marquess of Dorset. No legitimate children.

Thomas was born in 1442 but died before 1463. His exact date of death seems not to be known.

Elizabeth was born about 1443. Before 1474, she married Henry FitzLewis, brother of Margaret FitzLewis. They had one daughter, Mary, who married Antony Woodville, Earl Rivers as his second wife. She later married Sir George Neville and died in 1492. She and George had one daughter, Anne.