Henry Beaufort, second duke of Somerset (1436-1464)
Title
Henry Beaufort, second duke of Somerset (1436-1464)
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Biographical Text
Who were they?
Henry Beaufort was the eldest surviving son of Edmund Beaufort, duke of Somerset and his wife Eleanor Beauchamp. Following his father’s death at the Battle of St. Albans in 1455, Henry inherited the dukedom. Through his father, Henry was a descendant of John of Gaunt, and thus was a Lancastrian supporter throughout the conflict. Henry was unmarried, thus causing his title to go to his younger brother Edmund upon his death.
What did they do?
Henry Beaufort was one of the premier military commanders for the house of Lancaster during the Wars of the Roses. He was severely wounded fighting alongside his controversial father, in the Battle of St. Albans, but was able to recover. Following his recovery, Henry Beaufort wanted revenge, and attempted to ambush the Duke of York and Earl of Salisbury before agreeing to a peace. This did not last though, and he led the Lancastrian forces at the Battle of Wakefield, where he was able to avenge his father by killing Richard, duke of York and the Earl of Salisbury. Henry further avenged his father the following year, when he defeated the Yorkists at the Second Battle of St. Albans. However, he was defeated at the Battle of Towton, and forced to flee to Scotland. He eventually was reconciled with Edward IV, and restored to his dukedom; however, he quickly fled again to support the Lancastrian cause. He fought the Yorkists again and lost at the Battle of Hedgeley Moor and Hexham, where he was captured and executed.
Why are they important?
Henry Beaufort took place in many of the most important events during the Wars of the Roses. From defeating and killing Richard, duke of York at Wakefield, to his loss at Hexham with Henry VI at the head of the army, Henry Beaufort was a central player during the conflict. With his execution, his title was posthumously removed by attainder; however, his younger brother Edmund still began using the title. While he died unmarried, he did produce a bastard son named Charles, who was created the earl of Worcester under Henry VII.
Henry Beaufort was the eldest surviving son of Edmund Beaufort, duke of Somerset and his wife Eleanor Beauchamp. Following his father’s death at the Battle of St. Albans in 1455, Henry inherited the dukedom. Through his father, Henry was a descendant of John of Gaunt, and thus was a Lancastrian supporter throughout the conflict. Henry was unmarried, thus causing his title to go to his younger brother Edmund upon his death.
What did they do?
Henry Beaufort was one of the premier military commanders for the house of Lancaster during the Wars of the Roses. He was severely wounded fighting alongside his controversial father, in the Battle of St. Albans, but was able to recover. Following his recovery, Henry Beaufort wanted revenge, and attempted to ambush the Duke of York and Earl of Salisbury before agreeing to a peace. This did not last though, and he led the Lancastrian forces at the Battle of Wakefield, where he was able to avenge his father by killing Richard, duke of York and the Earl of Salisbury. Henry further avenged his father the following year, when he defeated the Yorkists at the Second Battle of St. Albans. However, he was defeated at the Battle of Towton, and forced to flee to Scotland. He eventually was reconciled with Edward IV, and restored to his dukedom; however, he quickly fled again to support the Lancastrian cause. He fought the Yorkists again and lost at the Battle of Hedgeley Moor and Hexham, where he was captured and executed.
Why are they important?
Henry Beaufort took place in many of the most important events during the Wars of the Roses. From defeating and killing Richard, duke of York at Wakefield, to his loss at Hexham with Henry VI at the head of the army, Henry Beaufort was a central player during the conflict. With his execution, his title was posthumously removed by attainder; however, his younger brother Edmund still began using the title. While he died unmarried, he did produce a bastard son named Charles, who was created the earl of Worcester under Henry VII.
Collection
Citation
“Henry Beaufort, second duke of Somerset (1436-1464),” The Wars of the Roses, accessed April 29, 2024, https://www.wotr.artinterp.org/omeka/items/show/32.