John Beauchamp, 1st Baron Beauchamp (fifth creation) facts for kids
John Beauchamp, 1st Baron Beauchamp of Powick (died April 1475), was an important English nobleman. He was also a Knight of the Garter, which was a very special award. His family came from a place called Powick in Worcestershire.
John's father was Sir William Beauchamp. He also worked for the king. John's mother was Katherine Usflete. Her father was a Member of Parliament for Yorkshire.
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Early Life and Service
John's father was a relative of the Earls of Warwick. He served kings like Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V. When his father died, John also began working for the king.
Fighting in France
In the 1420s, John Beauchamp served in the Hundred Years' War. This was a long war between England and France. He worked for the Duke of Bedford in medieval France.
- He was a captain at Pont-de-l'Arche from 1422 to 1429.
- He was also in charge of Rouen Castle in 1429.
- John took part in battles in Maine and Anjou.
- He was an advisor to the Duke of Bedford.
Around 1430, when King Henry VI visited France, John started working for the king's own household. He later married Margaret de Ferrers.
Rising to Power
A big change in John Beauchamp's career happened in 1439. His relative, Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick, passed away. John became one of the people looking after the Earl's large lands.
Important Roles
Over the next ten years, John Beauchamp became more and more important.
- In 1439 or 1440, he became the Master of the Horse. This meant he was in charge of the king's horses.
- In 1445, he became a Knight of the Garter. This was a very high honor.
Around this time, he also inherited his father's lands. These lands were mainly in Powick and Alcester. This made him a powerful person in the west midlands of England.
Becoming a Baron
When the Duke of Warwick died in 1446, Sir John tried to claim the title of Earl of Warwick. He did not get the earldom. However, he received many other important positions.
- He became the Constable of Gloucester Castle, a job his father once had.
- He also became the Justice of South Wales.
- On May 2, 1447, he was given the title of Lord Beauchamp of Powick. This made him a baron, a high-ranking nobleman.
Lord Treasurer of England
John Beauchamp remained important even when many of his colleagues faced problems in 1449–1450. On June 22, 1450, he became the Lord Treasurer of England. This was a very important job, as he was in charge of the country's money. He held this job for two years.
During his time as Lord Treasurer, England was going through some tough economic times. There was a shortage of money and a period of economic decline. John seemed to do well financially from his job. He received a reward of £400 when he left the position.
Later Years and Retirement
Between 1450 and 1453, John Beauchamp stayed a central figure in the royal household. He worked under the Duke of Somerset. He managed to avoid getting involved in the duke's political conflicts.
Wars of the Roses
John Beauchamp kept a low profile during the start of the Wars of the Roses. This was a series of civil wars in England. He stayed with King Henry VI when the king was unwell. In 1457, he became the Steward of the Household. This meant he managed the king's home and staff.
There is no clear evidence that he fought for either side in the wars. When Edward IV became king, John Beauchamp was not treated badly.
Retirement and Death
In February 1462, John Beauchamp received a pardon. In October of that year, he was excused from his duties because he was very old. He chose to retire instead of opposing the new king. He did not help either side in the rebellions of 1469–1471.
John Beauchamp died in April 1475. He was buried in the Dominican friary at Worcester. His wife, Margaret, was also buried there when she died in 1487.
His son, Richard Beauchamp, 2nd Baron Beauchamp of Powick, inherited his title.
