Richard Beauchamp, 1st Earl of Worcester facts for kids
Richard de Beauchamp, Earl of Worcester (born around 1394 – died around March 18, 1422) was an important English nobleman. He was also a Knight of the Bath, which is a special honor given by the king.
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Who Was Richard de Beauchamp?
Richard de Beauchamp was a nobleman who lived in England during the 1400s. He held important titles and roles in the kingdom. His life was short but he was involved in significant events of his time.
His Family Background
Richard was the only son of William de Beauchamp, 1st Baron Bergavenny and Joan de Beauchamp, Baroness Bergavenny. His father, William, was the fourth son of the Earl of Warwick. William bought a special type of land called a "marcher lordship" in Bergavenny. This land was near the border of England and Wales.
His Parents' Marriage
Richard's mother, Joan FitzAlan, was the daughter of a powerful nobleman, Richard FitzAlan, 11th Earl of Arundel. Her father was executed by King Richard II. Joan married William in 1392. She was 17 years old and he was 55. Their marriage was important for political reasons. Both families were powerful landowners in the West Midlands and the Welsh Marches. They had also been involved with a group called the Lords Appellant. This group tried to limit the king's power.
His Early Life and Inheritance
Not much is known about Richard Beauchamp's early life. His father passed away when Richard was 17 years old. However, his mother, Joan, lived longer than his father.
The Bergavenny Lands
Because of a special legal agreement, Richard's mother, Joan, kept control of the Bergavenny lands. She had the right to use all the land, castle, and town of Bergavenny for her entire life. This meant that Richard did not fully inherit these lands right away.
During the time his mother was a widow (from 1411 to 1435), she managed the Bergavenny lordship. She even had her own armed followers. She was known in legal papers as "Domina de Bergavenny." This Latin title meant she was the "lord" of Bergavenny, showing her strong power. Even after Richard became an adult in 1416, he was not called to Parliament as the lord of Bergavenny. His father had been, and his future family members would be.
His Marriage and Titles
On July 27, 1411, Richard married Lady Isabel le Despenser. She was the daughter of Thomas le Despenser, 1st Earl of Gloucester. Isabel was also a great-granddaughter of King Edward III.
His Daughter
Richard and Isabel had one child together. Her name was Lady Elizabeth de Beauchamp. She later became the 3rd Baroness Bergavenny. Elizabeth married Sir Edward Neville. He later became the 1st Baron Bergavenny.
Important Roles
Richard held several important positions. In 1415, he was a joint Warden of the Welsh Marches. This meant he helped protect the border areas between England and Wales. In 1418, he was a captain of soldiers (lances and archers) in Normandy, France. In February 1421, he was given the important title of Earl of Worcester.
His Death and Legacy
Richard de Beauchamp, Earl of Worcester, was badly hurt on March 18, 1422. This happened during the Siege of Meaux, a battle in France. He died soon after his injuries.
Burial and Inheritance
His body was brought back to England. He was buried on April 25, 1422, in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. His daughter, Elizabeth, inherited his properties. However, she did not fully inherit the Bergavenny lands until her grandmother, Joan, passed away in 1435. Elizabeth was Joan's only heir.
