Marquess of Worcester

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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)
SeatBadminton House (since the 17th century)
Former seatRaglan Castle (until 1646)
MottoMutare vel timere sperno (Latin for 'I scorn to change or to fear')[1]

Duke of Beaufort (/ˈboʊfət/ BOH-fət)[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.

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.

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.

Family seat and estates

The family seat was Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire until 1646, after which it became 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.

London residences

In 1738 Henry Somerset-Scudamore, 3rd Duke of Beaufort purchased the lease of No. 33 Upper Grosvenor Street (later the site of Grosvenor House) from John Chetwynd, 2nd Viscount Chetwynd for £8,000; this remained as his London house until his death in 1745.[5]

His brother Charles Somerset, 4th Duke of Beaufort inherited the lease and continued to use 33 Upper Grosvenor Street as his London residence until his death in 1756, after which his widow Elizabeth Somerset, Duchess of Beaufort and son Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort continued to live at the house.[5] The 5th Duke later sold the lease of the house, as well as most of its contents, to Prince William, Duke of Cumberland for £15,865 in 1761.[5]

The 5th Duke subsequently leased No. 5 Grosvenor Square from 1768, which remained as his London residence until his death in 1803. The lease was then inherited by his son Henry Somerset, 6th Duke of Beaufort, who had previously leased No. 54 Grosvenor Street from 1793 until his father’s death. The 6th Duke retained 5 Grosvenor Square as his London residence until his death in 1835.[5][6]

Henry Somerset, 7th Duke of Beaufort purchased No. 22 Arlington Street from John Pratt, 1st Marquess Camden in 1840, and employed the architect Owen Jones to undertake an extensive renovation of the house, which became known as Beaufort House. In 1852 the 7th Duke sold the Beaufort House to William Hamilton, 11th Duke of Hamilton for £60,000.[7] Following the 7th Duke’s death in 1853, he was succeeded by his son Charles Somerset, 8th Duke of Beaufort. Prior to his father’s death the 8th Duke had leased No. 27 Berkeley Square in 1846, which he retained until 1855;[8] during the second half of the nineteenth century he proceeded to lease a series of London homes on a short term basis for the London season, including No. 22 Grosvenor Square in 1856,[9] Warwick House in 1875,[10] and No. 11 Portman Square in 1877.[11]

His son Henry Somerset, Marquess of Worcester leased No. 28 St James's Place for the 1897 London season.[12] Following the death of the 8th Duke in April 1899, Henry Somerset, 9th Duke of Beaufort took a short lease of a house in Brook Street, Mayfair from Augusta, Lady Delamere (widow of Hugh Cholmondeley, 2nd Baron Delamere).[13] The 9th Duke continued to lease various houses on a short-term basis during the early 20th century, including No. 19 Curzon Street in 1900,[14] 50 Grosvenor Street in 1901,[15] No. 17 Hill Street in 1902,[16] No. 17 Park Lane in 1903 from Blanche, Dowager Countess of Rosslyn,[17] and No. 31 Bruton Street in 1905.[18]

The 9th Duke purchased the lease of No. 11 Portman Square in 1907,[19] which continued to be the family’s London home until c. 1918.

Henry Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort, who served in the Royal Household as Master of Horse from 1936 until 1978, was granted Apartment 7, Kensington Palace as a grace-and-favour residence in 1953, which he and his wife Mary, Duchess of Beaufort retained as their London residence until c. 1979.[20][21]

Descent from John of Gaunt

Earls of Worcester (1514)

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)
          • Henry Somerset, 9th Duke of Beaufort (1847–1924)
            • Henry Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort (1900–1984)
          • 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 (born 1952)
                    • (1). Henry Robert FitzRoy Somerset, Marquess of Worcester (born 1989)
                      • (2). Henry, Earl of Glamorgan (born 2021)
                      • (3). Lord Jack Somerset (born 2024)
                    • (4). Lord Alexander Lorne Somerset (born 1995)
                  • (5). Lord John Robert Somerset (born 1964)
                    • (6). Lyle David Somerset (born 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)

[22][23]

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[24] (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[25] by his mistress Joan Hill.[26] 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 quarterly 1st and 4th France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure[27] (Beaufort), 2nd, per pale azure and gules, three lions rampant argent, 2 and 1 (Herbert), 3d argent a fess gules, with a canton gules (Woodville).[28]Eldest son of Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester and his second wife Elizabeth Browne.[29]
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[27] (Beaufort), 2nd per pale azure and gules, three lions rampant argent, 2 and 1 (Herbert), 3d argent a fess gules, with a canton gules (Woodville). 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.[29]
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[27] (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.). Harlow: Pearson Education. ISBN 978-1-4058-8118-0.
  3. "Richard III's DNA throws up infidelity surprise". BBC News. 2 December 2014. 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. F. H. W. Sheppard, ed. (1980). "Old Grosvenor House". Survey of London: Volume 40, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings). London: London County Council. Retrieved 11 May 2026 – via British History Online.
  6. "Grosvenor Street: South Side". Survey of London: Volume 40, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings). Ed. F H W Sheppard (London, 1980), British History Online. Web. 11 May 2026. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol40/pt2/pp44-57.
  7. "Duke of Beaufort sells Beaufort House, Arlington Street". Gloucestershire Chronicle. 24 December 1853. p. 3. Retrieved 11 May 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. F. H. W. Sheppard, ed. (1980). "Berkeley Square, North Side". Survey of London: Volume 40, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings). London: London County Council. Retrieved 11 May 2026 – via British History Online.
  9. "Grosvenor Square: Individual Houses built before 1926". Survey of London: Volume 40, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings). Ed. F H W Sheppard (London, 1980), British History Online. Web. 11 May 2026. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol40/pt2/pp117-166.
  10. The Morning Post. (7 April 1875). Page 5. Duke of Beaufort - Warwick House, Stable Yard, St James's. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-post-duke-of-beaufort-warw/197317462/
  11. Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald. (3 May 1877). Page 5. Duke of Beaufort - 11 Portman Square. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/bath-weekly-chronicle-and-herald-duke-of/197317361/
  12. The Morning Post. (20 February 1897). Page 7. Marquis and Marchioness of Worcester - 28 St. James's Place. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-post-marquis-and-marchioness/197316437/
  13. The Gloucestershire Echo. (27 June 1899). Page 3. Duke of Beaufort - Brook Street. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gloucestershire-echo-duke-of-beaufor/197316201/
  14. The Times. (21 March 1900). Page 6. Duke and Duchess of Beaufort - 19 Curzon Street. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-duke-and-duchess-of-beaufort/197317794/
  15. South Wales Argus. (9 May 1901). Page 2. Duke and Duchess of Beaufort - 50 Grosvenor Street. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-wales-argus-duke-and-duchess-of-be/197317845/
  16. Devon and Exeter Gazette. (12 May 1902). Page 2. Duke and Duchess of Beaufort - 17 Hill Street. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/devon-and-exeter-gazette-duke-and-duches/197317913/
  17. The Bath Chronicle. (28 May 1903). Page 8. Duke and Duchess of Beaufort - 17 Park Lane. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bath-chronicle-duke-and-duchess-of-b/197317956/
  18. The Daily Telegraph. (9 May 1905). Page 10. Duke and Duchess of Beaufort - 31 Bruton Street. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-duke-and-duchess-of/197317993/
  19. South Wales Evening Post. (23 October 1907). Page 6. Duke and Duchess of Beaufort - 11 Portman Square. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-wales-evening-post-duke-and-duches/197316103/
  20. "Kensington Palace Home for Duchess of Beaufort". The Daily Telegraph. London. 21 May 1953. p. 15. Retrieved 25 June 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. "Auction: Furniture and Works of Art, removed from Kensington Palace, by Duke and Duchess of Beaufort". Western Daily Press. Bristol. 10 May 1979. p. 3. Retrieved 25 June 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. Pinches & Pinches 1974, p. 81.
  25. Burke 1914, p. 207.
  26. Gurney 1890, p. 55.
  27. Pinches & Pinches 1974, p. 82.
  28. Quartering based on the arms in the 16th century portrait of Worcester (Portrait of William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester 2018)
  29. Robinson 2004.

Bibliography