swuklink: Dukes of Somerset

An English title which had been held by the Beaufort family in the 15th century and later by the Seymours.

JOHN BEAUFORT (1404 - 44), the first duke
The son of John Beaufort, Earl of Somerset and the grandson of John of Gaunt. He faught in King Henry V and was created Duke in 1443.

EDMUND BEAUFORT (- 1455)
John's brother Edmund succeeded to the earldom in 1444 and the dukedom in 1448. He was made Lieutenant of France in 1447 but lost Normandy to the French. Returning to England, he supported the Lancastrains in the Wars of the Roses and was killed at the first battle of St Albans in 1455.

HENRY BEAUFORT (1436 - 64)
Edmund's son Henry succeeded him to the title and faught at the battle of Wakefield and the second battle of St Albans. He was captured and beheaded by the Yorkists at the battle of Hexham. The title was declared forfeit.

EDMUND BEAUFORT (c.1438 - 71)
despite the forfeiture of the title on the execution of Henry, his brother Edmund was known as the fourth duke. He was killed at the battle of Tewksbury.

From 1547 until the present day, the title has been held by the Seymour family who settled from Normandy in the 13th century.

EDWARD SEYMOUR (1506 - 52)
Edward's sister, Jane, married King Henry VIII. Edward fought in Scotland and France and, as the Earl of Hertford became a member of the council of regency which was formed on the accession of King Edward VI.

He was elected Lord Protector, won the battle of Musselburgh and reformed the church to some extent. He also tried to stop the enclosure of common lands. Edward conducted foreign affairs badly and this enabled his rival the Duke of Northumberland to secure his downfall and execution in 1552. The title was supressed.

see also; THE SEYMOURS

WILLIAM (1588 - 1660)
William married Arabella Stuart and lived in exile in Paris from 1610 until 1616. In 1621 he inherited the earldom of Hertford and was made a marquess in 1640. He faught for the Royalists in the Civil War and was made Duke of Somerset in 1660 by Charles II who revived the title.

CHARLES (1662 - 1748), the sixth duke
Charles was a favourite of Queen Anne.

ALGERNON (1684 - 1750), the seventh duke
Algernon was the Governor of Minorca for a time. He died leaving no issue.

EDWARD (1695 - 1757), the 8th duke
Edward succeeded to the dukedom by descent from the first duke by his first marriage.

EVELYN FRANCIS EDWARD (1882 - ???), the 17th duke

WILTSHIRE

Pewsey
In Tudor times the Duchess of Somerset owned the Manor of Pewsey.

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