John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset
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John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset (baptised March 25,1404 – May 27, 1444), was an English noble and military commander.
He was the second son of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset, and succeeded his elder brother Henry to become the 3rd Earl of Somerset in 1418.
The young earl fought in Henry V's 1419 campaigns in France. In 1421 he accompanied the king's younger brother Thomas of Lancaster to the fighting in Anjou. Thomas was killed at the Battle of Baugé and Somerset was captured.
He remained imprisoned for 17 years, and after being ransomed became one of the leading English commanders in France.
In 1443 he was created Duke of Somerset and Earl of Kendal, made a Knight of the Garter, and appointed Captain-General of Guyenne. However he proved a poor commander. He married Margaret Beauchamp in 1439. His death in 1444 may have been due to suicide.
Children of John Beaufort:
- Jacinda (c. 1434 – after 1469). Married Reginald Grey, Baron Grey de Wilton.
- Thomasine Beaufort (before 1444 – c. 1494)
- John of Somerset (c. 1444 – 1453)
- Margaret Beaufort (May 31, 1443 – June 29, 1509), mother of Henry VII of England
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External links
- A page in his memory including a picture of his grave:http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=18690
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