Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Duke of Somerset
Coat of arms of Beaufort
Born	26 January 1436
Died	15 May 1464(1464-05-15) (aged 28)
Noble family	House of Beaufort
Issue	Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester (legitimised)
Father	Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset
Mother	Lady Eleanor Beauchamp

Henry Beaufort, born on January 26, 1436, was an important leader for the Lancastrian side during the Wars of the Roses. This was a series of wars fought in England. He was known as the 3rd Duke of Somerset. Sometimes, he is called the 2nd Duke because the title was given to his father again after his uncle passed away. He also had other titles like the 5th Earl of Somerset.

Early Life and Family

Henry Beaufort was born around January 1436. His father was Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset. His mother was Eleanor, who was the daughter of Richard Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick.

From 1443 to 1448, Henry was called the Count of Mortain. From 1448 to 1455, he was known as the Earl of Dorset.

Becoming Duke of Somerset

When he was still young, Henry fought in the First Battle of St Albans in 1455. During this battle, he was injured. Sadly, his father was killed. After his father's death, Henry inherited the title of the 3rd Duke of Somerset.

Role in the Wars of the Roses

Many people saw Henry Beaufort as the "hope" for the Lancastrian side. However, he also inherited the rivalries and enemies that his father had made.

In October 1456, a meeting was held in Coventry. Leaders tried to make peace between the two warring sides. But the meeting was difficult because of arguments between Somerset and Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick. There was even a fight between Somerset's men and the town guards.

Marriage Proposal and New Role

In 1457, Queen Margaret of Anjou suggested that Somerset marry his cousin, Joan. She was the sister of James II of Scotland. However, this marriage never happened.

On October 14, 1457, Somerset was made the leader of the Isle of Wight. He also became the warden of Carisbrooke Castle.

Attempts at Peace

Early in 1458, Somerset took part in another meeting in London. This meeting also tried to bring peace between the groups. They agreed that Richard, Duke of York would pay a yearly amount to Somerset's mother and her children. This payment was to make up for the death of the 2nd Duke.

Somerset then joined the King, Queen, and other important nobles for an event called The Love Day. This was another effort to show unity.

Fighting for Calais

The peace did not last long. Queen Margaret continued to work against the Duke of York. In October 1458, she suggested that Somerset should become the captain of Calais. This role was currently held by Warwick.

War broke out again in 1459. Somerset almost met Warwick in battle just before the Battle of Blore Heath. After the Lancastrians lost at Blore Heath, Somerset was named captain of Calais on October 9.

He traveled across the English Channel. But Warwick's supporters in Calais would not let him in. Instead, Somerset took control of a nearby fortress called Guisnes. He appointed Andrew Trollope as its leader. Somerset fought several small battles against the Yorkists between Calais and Guisnes. On April 23, 1460, he lost a major battle at Newnham Bridge.

Victories and Defeats

While Somerset was away, the Yorkists had won the Battle of Northampton. But Somerset joined the Lancastrians at Pontefract in December 1460. He captured some Yorkist forces at Worksop on December 21. Then, he helped the Lancastrians win the Battle of Wakefield on December 30.

He marched south with Queen Margaret. He fought in the Second Battle of St Albans on February 17, 1461. This second victory was not followed up. The Lancastrians moved north. On March 29, Edward IV won the Battle of Towton.

Somerset managed to escape from the battlefield. In July, Queen Margaret sent him to France to ask for help from Charles VII of France. Charles died before they arrived. But Louis XI met with Somerset in Tours. He sent Somerset back to England in March 1462 with promises of support, but not much actual help.

Changing Sides

Somerset then started to think about making peace with Edward IV. In November 1461, Parliament had taken away his titles and lands. Most of his lands were given to Edward's brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

When he returned from France, Somerset took command of the Lancastrian forces in Scotland. Queen Margaret went to France. In the autumn of 1462, Somerset was holding Bamburgh Castle for the Lancastrians.

However, on December 24, he and Sir Ralph Percy, the castle's governor, gave up the castle. They submitted to King Edward. The king took Somerset to London and treated him very well. Somerset received a full pardon on March 10, 1463. He also got his titles back by an act of Parliament in April.

Final Battle and Death

But Somerset soon returned to supporting the Lancastrians. Early in 1464, he escaped from Holt Castle in North Wales. He was almost caught again but managed to reach Queen Margaret.

The Lancastrians made one more attempt to win back the crown. But at the Battle of Hexham on May 15, 1464, they were completely defeated by John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu. Somerset was captured in a barn. He was beheaded shortly after on the same day. He was buried at Hexham Abbey.

Parliament then canceled the act that had given him back his titles. His titles were lost again and never restored. Somerset was not married. His younger brother, Edmund Beaufort, was called the 4th Duke of Somerset by the Lancastrians.

In 1485, about 21 years after his death, all acts against Somerset were canceled. This happened in the first Parliament of Henry VII. It was done because of his "true and faithful loyalty and services" to King Henry VI.

Character

A writer named Chastellain described Somerset as "a very great lord and one of the most handsome young knights in the English kingdom." He was likely as capable as other Lancastrian leaders, though their military skills were not always the best.

Family

Henry Beaufort had a son with his mistress, Joan Hill.

• Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester, 1st Baron Herbert (born around 1460, died 1526). He was given the last name "Somerset." He became Baron Herbert in 1506 and Earl of Worcester in 1513. The Earls and Marquesses of Worcester, and the Dukes of Beaufort, are descended from him. They are the last known male descendants of King Henry II of England.