John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset

Also known as: Iohn duke of Summerset / Iohn then duke of Summerset / lord Iohn duke of Summerset · Family: England · Role: duke · First appears: Henry VI 2

Around c. 1431, John Beaufort’s death left his sole daughter, Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond, heir, while his sibling Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset attained the title of Duke of Somerset. He was also sibling to Joan Beaufort, Queen of Scots, and Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham was his grandfather’s sworn brother.

In 1445, John was appointed regent of Normandy, discharging Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York from the office and deepening their rivalry. At Caen around 1450, while serving as the king’s lieutenant, he surrendered the town despite the opposition of David Hall, moved by his wife’s sorrow and his love for his children: “The duke pitifull, mooued with the sorrow of his wife, and loue of his children, rendered the towne against the mind of sir Dauid Hall”. He was an enemy of Charles VII, whose forces were attacking the town.

Relationship record

Life events

• c. 1431 · After John Beaufort's death, Edmund Beaufort attained the title of Duke of Somerset, leaving Margaret sole heir.(Henry VI 19 · 📍 castell of Rone)
  • With: Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond
  • “by the death of Iohn duke of Summerset, leauing behind him a sole daughter and heire, maried to the earle, and called Margaret after the countesse of Richmond) atteined to the name and title of duke of Summerset”
• 1445 · John Beaufort was appointed regent of Normandy, discharging Richard Plantagenet from the office.(Henry VI 35 · 📍 Normandie)
  • With: Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York
  • “monie was granted, an armie leuied, and the duke of Summerset appointed to be regent of Normandie, and the duke of Yorke thereof discharged.”
• c. 1450 · John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset surrendered Caen despite David Hall's opposition.(Henry VI 39 · 📍 Caen)
  • With: David Hall
  • “The duke pitifull, mooued with the sorrow of his wife, and loue of his children, rendered the towne against the mind of sir Dauid Hall”

Henry VI 2

• siblings with Joan Beaufort, Queen of Scots “the ladie Iane, daughter to Iohn earle of Summerset deceassed, and sister to Iohn then duke of Summerset”

Henry VI 19

• child: Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond “by the death of Iohn duke of Summerset, leauing behind him a sole daughter and heire, maried to the earle, and called Margaret after the countesse of Richmond”

Henry VI 26

• child: Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond “Margaret daughter and sole heire to Iohn duke of Summerset”