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Biography
Biography
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Beaufort, Edmund (2nd Duke of Somerset)

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 Born1406   Born At
 Died22 May 1455  Buried At
 FatherBeaufort, John (1st Earl of Somerset)  MotherHolland, Margaret
 Born1406 / 
 Died22 May 1455 / 
dmund Beaufort was a Lancastrian supporter of King Henry VI of England. Beaufort's early military career was a great success, relieving Calais and capturing Harfleur from the French. But failing to prevent the loss of Anjou, Maine and Normandy to the French his career ended badly. Back in England Beaufort's popularity was low and it was only the support of the King that kept him safe. When King Henry had to relinquish power because of his mental health Edmund Beaufort was locked in the Tower of London. When the King regained power Beaufort was released from the Tower. He supported the King until being killed at the Battle of St. Albans on 22 May, 1455.

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Family (7) Parents

Spouses

Fantasy image of Beauchamp, Eleanor
Beauchamp, Eleanor

Children

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Fantasy image of Beaufort, Henry (3rd Duke of Somerset)
Beaufort, Henry (3rd Duke of Somerset)
Fantasy image of Beaufort, Edmund (4th Duke of Somerset)
Beaufort, Edmund (4th Duke of Somerset)
Fantasy image of Beaufort, John
Beaufort, John

Siblings

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Fantasy image of Beaufort, Henry (Duke of Somerset)
Beaufort, Henry (Duke of Somerset)
Fantasy image of Beaufort, John (1st Duke of Somerset)
Beaufort, John (1st Duke of Somerset)
Fantasy image of Beaufort, Joan
Beaufort, Joan

Parents

Fantasy image of Beaufort, John (1st Earl of Somerset)
Beaufort, John (1st Earl of Somerset)
Fantasy image of Holland, Margaret
Holland, Margaret
tab 2
tab 3

 

Family Tree Details

Father:Beaufort, John (1st Earl of Somerset) ( - d.1410)
Mother:Holland, Margaret (b.1385 - d.1439)
Show Graphical Tree
 Beaufort, Edmund (2nd Duke of Somerset) (b.1406 - d.1455)
    +Beauchamp, Eleanor
        = Beaufort, Henry (3rd Duke of Somerset) (b.1436? - d.1464)
        = Beaufort, Edmund (4th Duke of Somerset) (b.1438? - d.1471)
        = Beaufort, John ( - d.1471)
 Beaufort, Edmund (2nd Duke of Somerset) (b.1406 - d.1455)
    +Beauchamp, Eleanor
        = Beaufort, Henry (3rd Duke of Somerset) (b.1436? - d.1464)
        = Beaufort, Edmund (4th Duke of Somerset) (b.1438? - d.1471)
        = Beaufort, John ( - d.1471)

See Also

    People

    • Edward (IV, Earl of March and King of England 1461-1470, 1471-1483)
    • Beaufort, Henry (3rd Duke of Somerset)
    • Beaufort, Edmund (4th Duke of Somerset)
    • Beaufort, John
    • Henry (VI, King of England 1422-1461, 1470-1471)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Other

    • Anjou
    • Calais

    Timeline

    1440    (Age: 34yrs)
    ...
    Harfleur captured by the English

    The English under the command of Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, captured the port town of Harfleur on the northern coast of France.

    1442    (Age: 36yrs)
    ...
    Calais relieved by Edmund Beaufort

    The English who were under siege inside Calais were resupplied by Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset. For his actions Beaufort received the title Earl of Dorset.

    1447    (Age: 41yrs)
    ...
    Edmund Beaufort appointed lieutenant of France

    Edmund Beaufort was appointed lieutenant of France. Richard of York had wanted to be re-appointed to the position. Edmund and Richard became rivals in the battles of the Wars of the Roses. ¹

    Qtr 4
    Richard, Duke of York, Lieutenant of Ireland

    Richard, Duke of York, had previously been the Lieutenant of France and Normandy but this had expired and the title had gone to his rival Edmund Beaufort (later Duke of Somerset). Instead, Richard was appointed the title of Lieutenant of Ireland. ¹

    1450    (Age: 44yrs)
    Jul
    Surrender of Caen

    The Duke of Somerset surrendered the town of Caen to the French after a short siege and he returned to England. ¹

    Aug 1
    Somerset arrives in London

    The Duke of Somerset entered London and positioned himself as part of the king's council. ¹

    Sep
    Richard returns from Ireland

    As a possible heir to throne of England, Richard, Duke of York returned from Ireland where he had been placed as lieutenant by the Duke of Somerset who had possible aspirations of taking the throne for himself. Edmund Beaufort, the Duke of Somerset and his associates were being shown favouritism and Richard along with the Welsh land owners were finding it hard to retain the earnings they were making from their own estates. William Tresham, a supported of Richard's was murdered as he travelled to meet the Duke. At first Richard attempted to hide his intentions of overthrowing the king.

    Dec 2
    Parliament meets

    With William Oldhall, a supporter of Richard Duke of York, in the speaker's seat, Parliament was on the the Duke's side. It was agreed that those at the king's side should be arrested including the Duke of Somerset.

    1451    (Age: 45yrs)
    ...
    Somerset is Captain of Calais

    King Henry confirmed his faith in Edmund Beaufort, the Duke of Somerset, by giving him the important and powerful position of captain of Calais. ¹

    1452    (Age: 46yrs)
    Feb
    The Duke of York marches on London

    The Duke of York gathered an army and marched on London intent on persuading King Henry to remove Somerset from power, The king took an army north to Northampton to prevent Yorkist supporters in the east joining York in the west. The king also sent word to the city of London to not allow York to enter, Learning that he was refused entry to the city the Duke of York continued south and crossed the the river Thames at Kingston. York moved his army to Dartford while the King Henry came back south to London. ¹

    1453    (Age: 47yrs)
    Aug
    The King's health suffers

    From August 1453 until the end of 1454, the mental health of King Henry VI was such that he was unable to conduct the day-to-day government of the country. The illness was some kind of mental condition possibly inherited from his grandfather Charles VI of France who also suffered from bouts of madness. What followed was a struggle for power and control of the English throne. Amongst the main rivals were Richard, Duke of York and Edmund Deaufort, the Duke of Somerset.

    Nov
    Somerset sent to the Tower

    With support of the other barons Richard, Duke of York won over the unpopular Edmund Beaufort, the duke of Somerset. He had only kept his position of power with the support of the King and without that support all was lost. Somerset was arrested and sent to the Tower of London.

    1454    (Age: 48yrs)
    Apr 2
    Earl of Salisbury becomes chancellor

    With Richard, Duke of York running the country, several changes were made, one of which was to make the elder Richard Neville chancellor. Richard also made himself the Captain of Calais removing his rival the Earl of Somerset from the post.

    1455    (Age: 49yrs)
    Feb
    Somerset released from the Tower

    With Henry back in power the Duke of Somerset was released from captivity.

    Mar
    Somerset back in command

    Henry's return to sanity swung the balance of power back to favour the Duke of Somerset and he was quickly restored to his former position of Captain of Calais. The Yorkists at this time felt it wise to leave London in fear of reprisals.

    May 22
    First Battle of St. Albans

    King Henry VI had by his side at St. Albans the Dukes of Somerset and Buckingham, Lords Pembroke, Northumberland and Devon and around 2,000 Lancastrian men. They tried to hold the town against the Yorkists led by Salisbury and Warwick but Warwick was able to enter the town through an unguarded spot and attack the flanks of the Lancastrian barricades. Although this battle was small it left the Duke of Somerset dead along with Lord Northumberland and Clifford. As a result of this victory power again swung to the Yorkists although support from the Barons was not total. Richard, Duke of York, again became Protector of the Realm and the powerful position of Captain of Calais was given to the Earl of Warwick.

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    Selection of references used:

    • 1. J R Lander, The Wars of the Roses, ISBN:0-75090-018-0
    • 2. Hubert Cole, The Wars of the Roses, 1973, ISBN:0-246-10618-2
    • 3. R.L.Storey, The End of the House of Lancaster, 1966
    • 4. Paul Murray Kendall, Richard The Third, ISBN:ISBN-0-04-942048-8

      See Also

        People

        • Edward (IV, Earl of March and King of England 1461-1470, 1471-1483)
        • Beaufort, Henry (3rd Duke of Somerset)
        • Beaufort, Edmund (4th Duke of Somerset)
        • Beaufort, John
        • Henry (VI, King of England 1422-1461, 1470-1471)
        • A .. Z List of Medieval People

        Other

        • Anjou
        • Calais
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