Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond

Also known as: Margaret Beaufort / countesse of Richmond / ladie Margaret countesse of Richmond · Family: England · Role: countess · First appears: Henry VI 19

After the death of John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset around 1431, Margaret became his sole daughter and heir, while Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond attained the title of Duke of Somerset. “by the death of Iohn duke of Summerset, leauing behind him a sole daughter and heire” In 1437, Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond fathered her son Henry VII, who later became king. Around 1445, William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk obtained wardship of Margaret and her lands.

She was later married to Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham and then to Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby. Around 1483, she worked with Elizabeth Woodville through Lewes (the queen's physician) to conclude an enterprise joining Henry VII and Elizabeth of York in marriage against Richard III. Margaret appointed Reginald Bray her chief solicitor and secret procuror, took Christopher Urswick into her service, and sent Hugh Conweie to Henry VII in Britaine with money and instructions to return to England; Reginald Bray brought Giles Daubney, John Cheney, Richard Gilford, and Thomas Rame into the undertaking.

In 1484, Richard III ordered Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby to confine Margaret secretly and prevent her from sending letters or messengers to Henry VII or his supporters. She was also described as kin to John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset through their shared Beaufort line, and as an enemy of Richard III while allied with Henry VII.