Joan Beaufort, Queen of Scots facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joan Beaufort |
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| Queen consort of Scotland | |
| Tenure | 2 February 1424 – 21 February 1437 |
| Coronation | 21 May 1424 |
| Born | c. 1404 |
| Died | 15 July 1445 Dunbar Castle, East Lothian, Scotland |
| Burial | Perth Charterhouse |
| Spouse | James I of Scotland (m. 1424, died 1437) |
| Issue Detail |
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| House | Beaufort |
| Father | John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset |
| Mother | Margaret Holland |
Joan Beaufort (c. 1404 – 15 July 1445) was the Queen of Scotland from 1424 to 1437 as the spouse of King James I of Scotland. During part of the minority of her son James II (from 1437 to 1439), she served as the regent of Scotland.
Contents
Background and early life
She was a daughter of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset, and Margaret Holland, and a half-niece of King Henry IV of England. James I of Scotland met Joan during his time as a prisoner in England and knew her from at least 1420. She is said to have been the inspiration for James's famous long poem, The Kingis Quair, written during his captivity after he saw her from his window in the garden. However, the marriage was at least partially political as their marriage was part of the agreement for his release from captivity, and from an English perspective an alliance with the Beauforts was meant to establish his country's alliance with the English, rather than the French. Negotiations resulted in Joan's dowry of 10,000 merks being subtracted from his substantial ransom.
Queen of Scotland
On 12 February 1424, Joan Beaufort and King James were wed at St Mary Overie Church in Southwark. They were feasted at Winchester Palace that year by her uncle Cardinal Henry Beaufort. She accompanied her husband on his return from captivity in England to Scotland, and was crowned alongside her husband at Scone Abbey. As queen, she often pleaded with the king for those who might be executed.
The royal couple had eight children, including the future James II, and Margaret of Scotland, spouse of Louis XI of France.
Regency
James I was assassinated in Perth on 21 February 1437. Joan had also been a target of assassination along with her husband, but managed to escape with just injuries. She successfully directed her husband's supporters to attack his assassin Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl, but was forced to give up power three months later. The prospect of being ruled by an English woman was unpopular. The Earl of Douglas was thus appointed to power, though Joan remained in charge of her son.
Near the end of July 1439, she married James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorne after obtaining a papal dispensation for both consanguinity and affinity. James was an ally of the latest Earl of Douglas, and plotted with him to overthrow Alexander Livingston, governor of Stirling Castle, during the minority of James II.
Issue with James I of Scotland
- Margaret Stewart, Princess of Scotland (1424–1445) married Prince Louis, Dauphin of Viennois (later King Louis XI of France)
- Isabella Stewart, Princess of Scotland (1426–1494) married Francis I, Duke of Brittany
- Mary Stewart, Countess of Buchan (died 1465) married Wolfart VI van Borsselen
- Joan of Scotland, Countess of Morton (c. 1428–1486) married James Douglas, 1st Earl of Morton
- Alexander Stewart, Duke of Rothesay (born and died 1430); Twin of James
- James II of Scotland (1430–1460)
- Annabella Stewart, Princess of Scotland married and divorced 1. Louis of Savoy, and then married and divorced 2. George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly
- Eleanor Stewart, Princess of Scotland (1433–1484) married Sigismund, Archduke of Austria.
Issue with James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorne
Adapted from:
- John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl (c. 1440 – 1512)
- James Stewart, 1st Earl of Buchan (1442 – 1499)
- Andrew Stewart, Bishop of Moray (c. 1443 – 1501)
See also
In Spanish: Juana Beaufort para niños
