Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset (the younger)

Also known as: Edmund / Edmund Beaufort (younger) · Family: House of Lancaster · Role: duke · First appears: Henry VI 50

Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, was the son of Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and brother of Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and John Beaufort. The three brothers took part with the Lancastrian line “to the extremitie of death.”

Around 1471, he stood with Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick at Barnet, where he was appointed to guide the archers as their chief captain. At Ceerne, he was among those who urged Margaret of Anjou to accept the battle plan, and he later welcomed and comforted her in England. At Tewkesbury, he faced Edward IV and Richard III; when Gloucester withdrew, Somerset left his defended position and advanced with his whole battle. John Wenlock, Baron Wenlock did not follow him, while William Hastings, Baron Hastings helped lead the opposing rearward.

Somerset’s vanguard was struck in the flank and routed, with many slain or captured. On Tuesday, 7 May 1471, after condemnation at Tewkesbury, Edmund Beaufort and John Lonstruther, Thomas Tresham, and Gervais Clifton were beheaded.