Biographies of lesser people starting with B
The people listed on this page currently have less information so do not warrant a page of their own. As this website evolves and more information is added these people will be promoted to individual pages.
Please note: Portraits on this page are not intented to be accurate depictions of the individuals.
Bacon, Roger
Born: 1214 Died: 1294
Baldred (of Kent)
Baldwin (of Boulogne)
Born: 1126 Died: circa 1135
Family Tree Details
Baldwin (of Boulogne) (b.1126 - d.1135?)
Ball, John
Born: 1338 Died: 1381
Timeline
The Kentish section of the Revolt reached Maidstone where they were joined by Wat Tyler who became their leader. They released John Ball from the church prison.
Beauchamp, Margaret (of Bletsoe)
Born: circa 1410 Died: 1482
Family Tree Details
Beauchamp, Margaret (of Bletsoe) (b.1410? - d.1482)
+Beaufort, John (1st Duke of Somerset) ( - d.1444)
= Beaufort, Lady Margaret (b.1441 - d.1509)
+Tudor, Edmund (Earl of Richmond) ( - d.1456)
= Henry (VII, King of England 1485-1509) (b.1457 - d.1509)
+Elizabeth (of York) (b.1466 - d.1503)
= Arthur (Prince of Wales) (b.1486 - d.1502)
= Margaret (Tudor, Daughter of Henry VII) (b.1489 - d.1541)
= Henry (VIII, King of England 1509-1547) (b.1491 - d.1547)
= Mary (Tudor, Queen of France) (b.1495 - d.1533)
Beauchamp, Thomas (12th earl of Warwick)
Born: 1339 Died: 1401
Timeline
Forces belonging to the Lords Appellant defeated forces led by Robert de Vere, the favourite of Richard II. The battle took place at Radcot Bridge, a bridge over the River Thames at Oxfordshire. Robert de Vere managed to escape by swimming across the Thames and then fleeing over seas. This led to King Richard temporarily being deposed.
Beaufort, Edmund (Duke of Somerset)
Born: circa 1438 Died: 1471
Timeline
The Yorkists led by King Edward IV and his brother Richard Duke of Gloucester met the Lancastrians at Tewkesbury. Richard was able to outflank the Lancastrians led by Edmund Beaufort, the self-proclaimed Duke of Somerset. Once Somerset's men had been dealt with, Richard attacked the rear of the Lancastrian line which broke apart and fled. Many of the Lancastrian leaders were caught and killed including Edward the Prince of Wales. Margaret of Anjou, the wife of King Henry VI, was also captured.
Parents
Siblings
Family Tree Details
Beaufort, Edmund (Duke of Somerset) (b.1438? - d.1471)
Beaufort, Henry (Duke of Somerset)
Born: 1401 Died: 1418
Family Tree Details
Beaufort, Henry (Duke of Somerset) (b.1401 - d.1418)
Beaufort, Joan
Born: circa 1404 Died: 1445
Timeline
Joan Beaufort, the wife of King James I of Scotland gave birth to twins, James and Alexander at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. Alexander did not survive long.
Parents
Children
Siblings
Family Tree Details
Beaufort, Joan (b.1404? - d.1445)
+James (I, King of Scotland 1406-1437) (b.1394 - d.1437)
= Margaret (Stewart) ( - d.1445)
| +Louis (XI, King of France 1461-1483)
= Isabella (Stewart) ( - d.1494)
= Eleanor (Stewart) ( - d.1480)
= James (II, King of Scotland 1437-1460) (b.1430 - d.1460)
| +Mary (of Guelders) (b.1433 - d.1463)
| = James (III, King of Scotland 1460-1488) ( - d.1488)
| +Margaret (of Denmark) (b.1456 - d.1486)
| = James (IV King of Scotland 1488-1513) (b.1473 - d.1513)
= Joan (Stewart) ( - d.1480)
Beaufort, Joan (Countess of Westmorland)
Born: 1379 Died: 1440
Parents
Children
Siblings (incl. half-siblings)
Family Tree Details
Beaufort, Joan (Countess of Westmorland) (b.1379 - d.1440)
+Neville, Ralph (Earl of Westmorland, Earl Marshal) (b.1364 - d.1425)
= Neville, Cecily (Duchess of York) (b.1415 - d.1495)
| +Richard (Duke of York) (b.1411 - d.1460)
| = Edward (IV, Earl of March and King of England 1461-1470, 1471-1483) (b.1442 - d.1483)
| | +Woodville, Elizabeth (b.1437 - d.1492)
| | = Elizabeth (of York) (b.1466 - d.1503)
| | = Edward (V, King of England 1483) (b.1470 - m.1483)
| | = Richard (Duke of York, Prince in the Tower) ( - m.1483)
| | = Cecily (Daughter of Edward IV) (b.1469 - d.1507)
| = George (Duke of Clarence) (b.1449 - d.1478)
| | +Neville, Isabel (Duchess of Clarence) (b.1451 - d.1476)
| | = Plantagenet, Edward (Earl of Warwick) (b.1475 - d.1499)
| | = Margaret (Countess of Salisbury) ( - d.1541)
| = Richard (III, King of England 1483-1485) (b.1452 - d.1485)
| | +Neville, Anne (Duchess of Gloucester, Queen of England) (b.1456 - d.1485)
| | = Edward (of Middleham, Prince of Wales) (b.1473 - d.1484)
| = Elizabeth (of York, Duchess of Suffolk) ( - d.1503)
| | +Pole, John de la (Duke of Suffolk) ( - d.1491)
| | = Pole, John de la (Earl of Lincoln) ( - d.1487)
| | = Pole, Edmund de la (Earl of Suffolk) ( - d.1513)
| | = Pole, Richard de la ( - d.1525)
| = Margaret (of York, sister of Edward IV) (b.1446 - )
= Neville, Richard (Earl of Salisbury) ( - d.1460)
+Montacute, Alice (Daughter of Earl of Salisbury)
= Neville, Richard (Earl of Warwick, 'The Kingmaker') (b.1428 - d.1471)
| +Anne (Beauchamp, Countess of Warwick)
| = Neville, Isabel (Duchess of Clarence) (b.1451 - d.1476)
| = Neville, Anne (Duchess of Gloucester, Queen of England) (b.1456 - d.1485)
= Neville, John (Earl of Northumberland, Lord Montagu) ( - d.1471)
= Neville, George (Archbishop of York) ( - d.1476)
= Neville, Cecily (Duchess of Warwick) (b.1425 - d.1450)
| +Beauchamp, Henry (1st Duke of Warwick) ( - d.1446)
| = Beauchamp, Anne (Countess of Warwick) (b.1443? - d.1449?)
= Neville, Katherine (b.1442? - d.1504?)
+William (Lord Hastings) (b.1430? - d.1483)
Beaufort, Lady Margaret
Born: 1441 Died: 1509
Timeline
Edmund Tudor married Margaret Beaufort, the heiress of the Duke of Somerset. Margaret was only twelve years old. Edmund Tudor and Margaret Beaufort were the parents of Henry Tudor, the future King of England, Henry VII.
Edmund the Earl of Richmond died in captivity in Carmarthen Castle. His thirteen year old bride Margaret was expecting their child who would become the future King Henry VII.
After the death of Edmund Tudor, his brother, Jasper Tudor Earl of Pembroke, moved Margaret Beaufort to Pembroke Castle. Margaret was the wife of Edmund Tudor and expecting their first child, Henry Tudor, the future King of England.
The future king of England, Henry VII, was born at Pembroke Castle. His father was Edmund Tudor who had died a couple of months before the birth and his mother was Margaret Beaufort who was directly descended from Edward III.
Lady Margaret Beaufort died just two months after her son Henry. She was buried in Westminster Abbey within the Henry VII Chapel.
Family Tree Details
Beaufort, Lady Margaret (b.1441 - d.1509)
+Tudor, Edmund (Earl of Richmond) ( - d.1456)
= Henry (VII, King of England 1485-1509) (b.1457 - d.1509)
+Elizabeth (of York) (b.1466 - d.1503)
= Arthur (Prince of Wales) (b.1486 - d.1502)
| +Catherine (of Aragon) (b.1485 - d.1536)
= Margaret (Tudor, Daughter of Henry VII) (b.1489 - d.1541)
| +James (IV King of Scotland 1488-1513) (b.1473 - d.1513)
| | = James (V, King of Scotland 1513-1542) (b.1512 - d.1542)
| +Douglas, Archibald (Earl of Angus) ( - d.1557)
| = Douglas, Margaret ( - d.1578)
= Henry (VIII, King of England 1509-1547) (b.1491 - d.1547)
| +Catherine (of Aragon) (b.1485 - d.1536)
| | = Mary (I, Queen of England 1553-1558, Bloody Mary, Mary Tudor) (b.1516 - d.1558)
| +Boleyn, Anne (b.1501? - ex.1536)
| | = Elizabeth (I, Queen of England 1558-1603) (b.1533 - d.1603)
| +Seymour, Jane (b.1508? - d.1537)
| | = Edward (VI, King of England 1547-1553) (b.1537 - d.1553)
| +Anne (of Cleves) (b.1515 - d.1557)
| +Howard, Catherine ( - ex.1542)
| +Parr, Catherine
= Mary (Tudor, Queen of France) (b.1495 - d.1533)
+Louis (XII, King of France) ( - d.1515)
+Brandon, Charles (Duke of Suffolk) (b.1485 - d.1545)
= Frances (Lady)
= Clifford, Eleanor (Lady) ( - d.1547)
Beaufort, Thomas (Duke of Exeter)
Died: 1426
Timeline
A French fleet laid siege to Harfleur, the French port captured by Henry V, and attempted to get it back. Harfleur was defended by Thomas Beaufort, the earl of Exeter.
Parents
Siblings (incl. half-siblings)
Family Tree Details
Beaufort, Thomas (Duke of Exeter) ( - d.1426)
Benedict (XI, Pope)
Born: circa 1240 Died: 6 July 1304
Timeline
Nicolas Bocasini was crowned as Pope on this day.
Benedict (XII, Pope)
Born: 1285 Died: 1342
Timeline
Two cardinals, Peter Gomez and Bertrand of Montfavence, were sent by Pope Benedict XII to Europe to try and prevent Edward III of England and Philipe VI of France going to war.
Berengaria (of Navarre, Queen of England)
Born: circa 1165 Died: 1230
Timeline
Richard took time to marry Berengaria at Limassol.
Family Tree Details
Berengaria (of Navarre, Queen of England) (b.1165? - d.1230)
+Richard (I, King of England 1189-1199) (b.1157 - d.1199)
Bigod, Hugh (1st Earl of Norfolk)
Died: 1177
Timeline
A motte with a wooden tower was probably the first type of castle built by the Normans on the site. Hugh Bigod owned Framlingham at the time.
King Henry II had confiscated Framlingham Castle from the rebellious Earl Hugh Bigod. But Hugh raised the money required to buy back the castle. Henry built the castle at Orford, a few miles to the south, to keep Hugh under control.
King Henry II, had the castle at Orford built in Norfolk between 1166 and 1172, to counter the threats of Hugh Bigod and to confront his castle fortress at Framlingham.
The baronial rebellion against Henry II. One of it leaders was Hugh Bigod. (Need to investigate)
Bigod, Hugh (2nd Earl of Norfolk)
Died: 1221
Blanche (of Artois)
Born: circa 1248 Died: 1302
Family Tree Details
Blanche (of Artois) (b.1248? - d.1302)
+Edmund (Crouchback, Earl of Lancaster) (b.1245 - d.1296)
= Thomas (Earl of Lancaster) (b.1278? - ex.1322)
= Henry (Earl of lancaster)
Blanche (of Castile)
Born: March 1188 Died: November 1252
Timeline
When Louis IX became king of France he was too young to rule. His mother, Blanche of Castile, ruled France on his behalf.
At just twelve years old, upon the death of his father, Louis IX became king of France. France was governed by the queen-mother Blanche of Castile, the widow of Louis VIII. The time was right for the English to regain lost ground in Normandy, but it would be several years before any expeditions would take place.
Louis IX, being twenty-one years old, had the authority to rule France unaided. His mother, Blance of Castile, who had been acting as regent since the death of Louis VIII, still had influence over her son.
While her son, Louis IX of France, was away taking part in the Crusades Blance of Castile ruled France. She did so until her death in 1252.
Family Tree Details
Blanche (of Castile) (b.1188 - d.1252)
+Louis (VIII, The Lion, King of France 1223-1226) ( - d.1226)
= Louis (IX, King of France, St. Louis) (b.1214 - d.1270)
+Margaret (of Provence)
= Philippe (III, King of France 1270-1285) ( - d.1285)
+Isabella (of Aragon) ( - d.1271)
| = Philippe (IV, The Fair, King of France 1285-1314) ( - d.1314)
| = Charles (Count of Valois, Anjou and Maine)
+Maria (of Brabant) (b.1254 - d.1322)
= Margaret (of France) (b.1279? - d.1317)
Blanche (of Lancaster)
Born: circa 1342 Died: September 1369
Timeline
John of Gaunt married Blanche, the daughter of Henry, Duke of Lancaster. Henry owned Kenilworth Castle and when he died (?) John became Duke of Lancaster and took ownership of the castle. Gaunt rebuilt the hall and constructed new grand apartments.
Henry was born at Bolingbroke Castle in Lincolnshire. He would become King Henry IV of England.
Family Tree Details
Blanche (of Lancaster) (b.1342? - d.1369)
+John (of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster) (b.1340 - d.1399)
= Henry (IV, King of England 1399-1413) (b.1367 - d.1413)
| +Bohun, Mary (b.1368? - d.1394)
| | = Henry (V, King of England 1413-1422) (b.1387 - d.1422)
| | | +Catherine (of Valois) (b.1401 - d.1437)
| | | = Henry (VI, King of England 1422-1461, 1470-1471) (b.1421 - d.1471)
| | = Thomas (Duke of Clarence) (b.1389 - d.1421)
| | | +Holland, Margaret (b.1385 - d.1439)
| | = John (of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford) (b.1389 - d.1435)
| | | +Jacquetta (of Luxembourg) (b.1415? - d.1472)
| | = Humphrey (Duke of Gloucester) ( - d.1447)
| +Joanna (of Navarre) ( - d.1437)
= Philippa, (daughter of John of Gaunt)
| +John (I, of Portugal)
= Elizabeth (daughter of John of Gaunt)
+John (Earl of Pembroke - 1389)
Bohemund (I, Prince of Antioch 1099-1111)
Born: circa 1050 Died: 1111
Timeline
King Richard I met Guy of Lusignan (King of Jerusalem), Geoffrey (Richard's brother), Bohemund (Prince of Antioch), Raymond (Count of Tripoli), Humphrey of Toron and other knights to discuss the attempt by Philippe II of France to replace Guy of Lusignan with Conrad of Montferrat as the King of Jerusalem.
Boniface (VIII, Pope)
Died: 11 October 1303
Timeline
Pope Boniface VIII made King Louis IX of France a saint of the Church twenty-seven years after his death whilst on crusade in the Holy Land.
Boniface, the Pope, died a few weeks after being held captive by supporters of the French King over taxation disputes.
Brandon, Charles (Duke of Suffolk)
Born: 1485 Died: 1545
Timeline
Princess Mary ran away with Charles Brandon after the death of Louis XII. They were secretly married but caught and forced to pay a fine.
Princess Mary, the younger sister of Henry VIII, married Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk at Greenwich. Henry VIII gave full consent to the marriage.
Family Tree Details
Brandon, Charles (Duke of Suffolk) (b.1485 - d.1545)
+Mary (Tudor, Queen of France) (b.1495 - d.1533)
= Frances (Lady)
| +Grey, Henry (Duke of Suffolk) ( - ex.1554)
| = Grey, Jane (Lady) (b.1537? - ex.1554)
| = Grey, Catherine (Lady)
= Clifford, Eleanor (Lady) ( - d.1547)
Bruce, Edward
Timeline
Stirling castle was still under the control of English forces but was under siege from the Scots led by Edward Bruce. Bruce and the English commander, Sir Philippe de Mowbray, came to an agreement that if English forces had not reached the castle by midsummer 1314, Mowbray would surrender the castle to the Scots. Bruce even let Mowbray leave the castle to inform the English king of the agreement.
Edward Bruce landed in Ireland in an attempt to become King of Ireland.
Edward Bruce was defeated and killed at the Battle of Faughart by the English led by John de Birmingham.
Bruce, Robert (Earl of Carrick, 6th Lord of Annandale)
Born: 1243 Died: 1304
Family Tree Details
Bruce, Robert (Earl of Carrick, 6th Lord of Annandale) (b.1243 - d.1304)
+Marjorie (of Carrick)
= Bruce, Robert (the Bruce, I, King of the Scots 1306-1329) (b.1274 - d.1329)
+Isabella (Wife of Robert I of Scotland)
| = Marjorie (Daughter of Robert I, the Bruce) ( - d.1316)
| +Walter (6th High Steward) ( - d.1325)
| = Robert (II, King of the Scots 1371-1390) (b.1316 - d.1390)
+Elizabeth (2nd wife of Robert I of Scotland)
= David (II, King of the Scots 1329-1371) (b.1324 - d.1371)
| +Joan (of the Tower) (b.1321 - d.1362)
= Margaret (Daughter of Robert I, the Bruce)
= Matilda (Daughter of Robert I, the Bruce)
Selection of references used:
Explore the White Tower
Explore all four floors of the White Tower at the Tower of London using the Unity 3d game engine.
A Medieval Mystery
There appear to be some strange connections between the fourteenth century Old Wardour Castle and ancient stone circle Stonehenge.
1: Location
Old Wardour Castle appears to be aligned to ancient sites in the Stonehenge landscape.
2: Alignment
Stonehenge is aligned to the Summer Solstice. Old Wardour has a very similar alignment.
3: Size
Could the builders of Old Wardour used mesaurements from Stonehenge to layout the geometrical keep?
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