Duke of Beaufort

Duke of Beaufort (/ˈboʊfərt/)[2] is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created by Charles II in 1682 for Henry Somerset, 3rd Marquess of Worcester, a descendant of Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester, legitimised son of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset, a Lancastrian leader in the Wars of the Roses. The name Beaufort refers to a castle in Champagne, France (now Montmorency-Beaufort). It is the only current dukedom to take its name from a place outside the British Isles.

For the French title, see Duke of Beaufort (France).

Dukedom of Beaufort

Quarterly, 1st and 4th, azure three fleurs-de-lys or (for France); 2nd and 3rd, gules three lions passant guardant in pale or (for England), all within a bordure compony argent and azure
Creation date2 December 1682
Created byCharles II
PeeragePeerage of England
First holderHenry Somerset, 3rd Marquess of Worcester
Present holderHenry Somerset, 12th Duke of Beaufort
Heir apparentHenry Robert FitzRoy Somerset, Marquess of Worcester
Remainder to1st Duke's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten
Subsidiary titlesMarquess of Worcester
Earl of Worcester
Earl of Glamorgan (courtesy)
Viscount Grosmont (courtesy)
Seat(s)Badminton House (since the 17th century)
Former seat(s)Raglan Castle (until 1646)
MottoMutare vel timere sperno (Latin for 'I scorn to change or to fear')[1]

The Dukes of Beaufort descend in the male line from the House of Plantagenet through John of Gaunt, son of Edward III. This statement was challenged after the analysis of the Y chromosomal DNA of the remains of Richard III. Most living male heirs of the 5th Duke of Beaufort were found to carry a relatively common Y chromosome type, which is different from the rare lineage found in Richard III's remains. The instance of false paternity could have occurred anywhere in the numerous generations separating Richard III from the 5th Duke of Beaufort.[3] The break also could have occurred with Richard III's grandfather Richard of Conisburgh, whose paternity has been called into question although he was acknowledged by his father.

The Beaufort Castle was in possession of John of Gaunt, and the surname Beaufort was given to Gaunt's four legitimised children by his mistress and third wife, Katherine Swynford. This was the foundation of the House of Beaufort, Dukes of Somerset. A descendant of the Beauforts through his mother was Henry VII of England. Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester,KG (c. 1460 – 15 March 1526), was the bastard son of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset by his mistress Joan Hill.[4]

The Duke of Beaufort holds two subsidiary titles – Marquess of Worcester (created 1642) and Earl of Worcester (created 1514). The title of Marquess of Worcester is used as a courtesy title by the duke's eldest son and heir. The title of Earl of Glamorgan is used by the eldest son of the heir apparent to the dukedom. The Earl of Glamorgan's eldest son is known as Viscount Grosmont. The Earldom of Glamorgan and Viscountcy of Grosmont derive from an irregular creation in 1644 by Charles I in favour of Edward Somerset, who later succeeded his father as 2nd Marquess of Worcester.

Although the Earldom of Glamorgan and Viscountcy of Grosmont were not recognised as substantive titles at the restoration of Charles II, because of irregularities in the patent of creation, they have nevertheless continued to be used as convenient courtesy titles in order to distinguish the bearer from the Marquess of Worcester as heir apparent, the Earldom of Worcester not being distinctive enough for this purpose. All subsidiary titles are in the Peerage of England.

Field Marshal The Lord Raglan, born Lord FitzRoy Somerset (1788–1855), was the youngest son of the fifth duke.

The family seat was once Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire, but as of 2017 was Badminton House near Chipping Sodbury in Gloucestershire. The principal burial place of the Dukes and Duchesses of Beaufort is St Michael and All Angels' Church, Badminton.

Following the creation of the dukedom, each successive duke has served as Master of the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt, a foxhound pack kenneled on the Badminton Estate.

Descent from John of Gaunt

Earls of Worcester (1514)
For previous creations, see Earl of Worcester.
Other titles (2nd onwards): Baron Herbert (1461)

Marquesses of Worcester (1642)
Other titles: Earl of Worcester (1514) and Baron Herbert (1461)

Dukes of Beaufort (1682)
Other titles: Marquesses of Worcester (1642) and Earl of Worcester (1514)
Other titles (1st–10th Dukes): Baron Herbert (1461)
Other titles (5th–10th Dukes): Baron Botetourt (1305; abeyance ended 1803)

The heir apparent is the present holder's son, Henry Robert FitzRoy Somerset, Marquess of Worcester (b. 20 January 1989).[4]


Line of succession (simplified)
  • Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort (1744–1803)
    • Henry Somerset, 6th Duke of Beaufort (1766–1835)
      • Henry Somerset, 7th Duke of Beaufort (1792–1853)
        • Henry Somerset, 8th Duke of Beaufort (1824–1899)
          • Lord Henry Somerset (1849–1932)
            • Henry Charles Somers Augustus Somerset (1874–1945)
              • Henry Robert Somers FitzRoy de Vere Somerset (1898–1965)
                • David Somerset, 11th Duke of Beaufort (1928–2017)
                  • Henry Somerset, 12th Duke of Beaufort (b. 1952)
                    • (1). Henry Robert FitzRoy Somerset, Marquess of Worcester (b. 1989)
                      • (2). Henry, Earl of Glamorgan (b. 2021)
                    • (3). Lord Alexander Lorne Somerset (b. 1995)
                  • (4). Lord Edward Alexander Somerset (b. 1958)
                  • (5). Lord John Robert Somerset (b. 1964)
                    • (6). Lyle David Somerset (b. 1991)
    • Lord Charles Somerset (1767–1831)
      • Henry Somerset (1794–1862)
        • Charles Henry Somerset (1819–1863)
          • Henry Plantagenet Somerset (1852–1936)
            • Charles William Henry Rollo Somerset (1895–1936)
              • male issue in line
            • Hereward Henry Plantagenet Somerset (1900–1989)
              • male issue in line
        • Henry George Edward Somerset (1829–1920)
          • Charles Wyndham Somerset (1862–1938)
            • Alan FitzRoy Somerset (1902–1940)
              • male issue in line
        • FitzRoy MacLean Henry Somerset (1839–1907)
          • FitzRoy Henry Somerset (1881–1946)
            • Raglan Henry Somerset (1903–1981)
              • Eugene Somerset (1929–1993)
                • male issue in line
              • John FitzRoy Somerset (1933–2003)
                • male issue in line
            • Harry Edward Somerset (1914–1991)
              • male issue in line
      • Poulett George Henry Somerset (1822–1875)
        • Vere Francis John Somerset (1854–1909)
          • William Francis Somerset (1876–1942)
            • Lionel Francis Somerset (1903–1981)
              • male issue in line
          • Charles Somerset (1878–1941)
            • Henry Charles Fitzroy Somerset (1919–2006)
              • male issue in line
    • Lord Arthur John Henry Somerset (1780–1816)
      • George Henry Somerset (1809–1882)
        • FitzRoy John Henry Somerset (1851–after 1875)
          • any legitimate male issue and heirs in the male line
    • Lord William Somerset (1784–1851)
      • Henry Charles Capel Somerset (1816–1905)
        • FitzRoy William Henry Somerset (1845–1878)
          • Raglan Somerset (1872–1940)
            • FitzRoy Raglan Somerset (1901–1985)
              • Raglan FitzRoy Somerset (1925–2002)
                • male issue in line
      • William Somerset (1822–1902)
        • Charles Edward Henry Somerset (1862–1939)
          • William Raglan Henry Guy Somerset (1912–1981)
            • William Michael John Charles Somerset (1934–2007)
              • male issue in line
      • FitzRoy Molyneux Henry Somerset (1823–1901)
      • Rev. Boscawen Thomas George Henry Somerset (1833–1893)
        • William Horace Boscawen Somerset (1880–1946)
          • FitzRoy Douglas Boscawen Somerset (1923–2019)
            • male issue in line
    • FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan (1788–1855)

[5][6]

Coat of arms

The heraldic blazon for the coat of arms of the dukedom is: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, azure three fleurs-de-lys or (for France); 2nd and 3rd, gules three lions passant guardant in pale or (for England), all within a bordure compony argent and azure.

This can be translated as: a shield divided into quarters, the top left and bottom right quarters are blue with three golden fleurs-de-lys (for France), and the top right and bottom left quarters are red with three golden lions passant with their faces toward the viewer, one above the other (for England); the foregoing quarters are within a border around the shield with segments alternating white and blue.

In heraldry, a bordure compony is traditionally used to designate illegitimacy. Since the original Beaufort siblings' father was of the English royal family, the English royal arms are used. At that time, the king of England also claimed the French crown, hence the inclusion of the French royal arms.

Coat of arms of Beaufort
Coronet
Coronet of a Duke
Crest
On a wreath, a portcullis, Or nailed Azure, chains pendant thereto of the first, which the family bears in memory of John of Gaunt's castle of Beaufort, before mentioned. Antiently the crest was a panther, Argent, diversely spotted, and gorged with a ducal coronet, Or.
Escutcheon
Quarterly, 1st and 4th, azure three fleurs-de-lys or (for France); 2nd and 3rd, gules three lions passant guardant in pale or (for England), all within a bordure compony argent and azure
Supporters
On the dexter side a panther, Argent, spotted with various colours, fire issuing out of his mouth and ears proper, gorged with a collar, and chain pendant, Or: on the sinister, a wyvern, vert, holding in his mouth a sinister hand coupé at the wrist proper [alias gules].
Motto
Mutare vel timere sperno

Family tree

Ancestral armorial
Arms Name Life Blazon Notes
Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester, K.G. 1460–1526 Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure[7] (Beaufort)with argent baton sinister, with escutcheon of pretence of per pale azure and gules, three lions rampant argent, 2 and 1 Herbert. An illegitimate son of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset[8] by his mistress Joan Hill.[9] He was invested as a Knight of the Garter in about 1496. On 1 February 1514 he was created Earl of Worcester and was at some time appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household to King Henry VIII. As Lord Chamberlain, Somerset was largely responsible for the preparations for the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520. He was a favourite of Henry VII and Henry VIII
Arms Name Life Blazon Notes
William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester, K.G. 1526/7–1589 Quarterly, 1st and 4th, or a fess on which is France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure[10] (Beaufort), 2nd, per pale azure and gules, three lions rampant argent, 2 and 1 Herbert, argent a fess gules, with a canton gueules.[11]Eldest son of Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester and his second wife Elizabeth Browne.[12]
Arms Name Life Blazon Notes
Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester, K.G. 1550–1628 Grand quarters, 1st and 4th, quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure[10] (Beaufort), 2nd, per pale azure and gules, three lions rampant argent, 2 and 1 Herbert, argent a fess gules, with a canton gueules. Eldest son of William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester. He was an important advisor to King James I (James VI of Scots), serving as Lord Privy Seal.[12]
Arms Name Life Blazon Notes
Henry Somerset, 1st Duke of Beaufort, K.G., PC 1629–1700 Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure[10] (Beaufort). Eldest son of Edward Somerset, 2nd Marquess of Worcester. He was a Welsh politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1654 and 1667, when he succeeded his father as 3rd Marquess of Worcester. He was styled Lord Herbert from 1644 until 3 April 1667. The Dukedom of Beaufort was bestowed upon him by King Charles II in 1682. He is the ancestor of the current Somersets, and so the Dukes of Beaufort and the Barons Raglan. The current head of the house is Henry Somerset, 12th Duke of Beaufort.

See also

References
  1. Woods, Judith (10 December 2013). "Lord Edward Somerset: a fine pedigree counts for nothing". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  2. Wells, John C. (2008). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3rd ed.). Longman. ISBN 978-1-4058-8118-0.
  3. "Richard III's DNA throws up infidelity surprise". BBC. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  4. Mosley, Charles, ed. (2003). Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knighthood (107 ed.). Burke's Peerage & Gentry. p. 301. ISBN 0-9711966-2-1.
  5. Mosley, Charles, ed. (1999). "Beaufort". Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage. Vol. 1 (106th ed.). Crans, Switzerland: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd. pp. 220–226. ISBN 2-940085-02-1.
  6. Morris, Susan; Bosberry-Scott, Wendy; Belfield, Gervase, eds. (2019). "Beaufort". Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage. Vol. 1 (150th ed.). London: Debrett's Ltd. pp. 500–507. ISBN 978-1-999767-0-5-1.
  7. Pinches & Pinches 1974, p. 81.
  8. Burke 1914, p. 207.
  9. Gurney 1890, p. 55.
  10. Pinches & Pinches 1974, p. 82.
  11. Quartering based on the arms in the 16th century portrait of Worcester (Portrait of William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester 2018)
  12. Robinson 2004.

Bibliography
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