Biography of Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 1410-1482
Paternal Family Tree: Beauchamp
Maternal Family Tree: Edith Stourton Baroness Beauchamp Bletsoe 1390-1441
1458 Margaret Beaufort marries Henry Stafford
1470 Welles' Rebellion and Battle of Losecoat Field aka Empingham
Before 23 Jan 1406 [her father] John Beauchamp 3rd Baron Beauchamp Bletsoe (age 28) and [her mother] Edith Stourton Baroness Beauchamp Bletsoe (age 16) were married. She by marriage Baroness Beauchamp Bletsoe in Bedfordshire. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King John "Lackland" of England. 
Around 1410 Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset was born to John Beauchamp 3rd Baron Beauchamp Bletsoe (age 32) and Edith Stourton Baroness Beauchamp Bletsoe (age 20).
In Apr 1412 [her father] John Beauchamp 3rd Baron Beauchamp Bletsoe (age 34) died.
Around 1413 [her grandfather] Roger Beauchamp 2nd Baron Beauchamp Bletsoe (age 50) died at Bletsoe Castle [Map]. His son [her father] John Beauchamp 3rd Baron Beauchamp Bletsoe succeeded 3rd Baron Beauchamp Bletsoe in Bedfordshire.
On 29 Jul 1418 the English forces commenced the Siege of Rouen. Robert Willoughby 6th Baron Willoughby (age 33) fought. John Blount (age 30) died. William Harrington (age 45), the King's Standard Bearer, was wounded.
Walter Hungerford 1st Baron Hungerford (age 40) fought.
Henry Beaufort 2nd Earl Somerset (age 17) was killed. His brother [her future husband] John Beaufort 1st Duke Somerset (age 15) succeeded 3rd Earl Somerset.
On 26 Aug 1421 Eudo Welles (age 34) died at Welles, Grimsby. His son [her future husband] Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles (age 15) succeeded 6th Baron Welles.
Before 1426 Oliver St John (age 25) and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 15) were married.
On 31 Aug 1426 [her son] John St John was born to [her husband] Oliver St John (age 26) and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 16) at Bletsoe.
Around 1428 [her son] Oliver St John was born to [her husband] Oliver St John (age 27) and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 18) at Lydiard Tregoze, Wiltshire.
Around 1430 [her daughter] Edith St John was born to [her husband] Oliver St John (age 29) and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 20) at Bletsoe.
In 1437 [her husband] Oliver St John (age 36) died at Rouen, France [Map].
In 1439 John Beaufort 1st Duke Somerset (age 36) and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 29) were married. She by marriage Countess Somerset. He the son of John Beaufort 1st Marquess Somerset and Dorset and Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence (age 54). He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. 
On 31 May 1443 [her daughter] Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond was born to [her husband] John Beaufort 1st Duke Somerset (age 40) and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 33) at Bletsoe Castle [Map]. Some sources suggest her death may have been two years earlier in 1441 by saying she was three years old when her father died on 30 May 1444 - see Excerpta Historica. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 28 Aug 1443 [her husband] John Beaufort 1st Duke Somerset (age 40) was created 1st Duke Somerset, 1st Earl Kendal by King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 21). Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 33) by marriage Duchess Somerset.
On 30 May 1444 [her husband] John Beaufort 1st Duke Somerset (age 41) committed suicide. Suicide not certain but likely. Duke Somerset, Earl Kendal extinct. His brother [her brother-in-law] Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke Somerset (age 38) succeeded 4th Earl Somerset. Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 35) by marriage Countess Somerset.
His only child [her daughter] Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond aged one was his heir. King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 22) granted her wardship to William "Jackanapes" de la Pole 1st Duke of Suffolk (age 47) who married her to his son [her future son-in-law] John de la Pole 2nd Duke of Suffolk (age 1).
Before 14 Apr 1447 [her future husband] Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles (age 41) and Joan or Cecily Waterton were married. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England.
On 14 Apr 1447 Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles (age 41) and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 37) were married. She by marriage Baroness Welles. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England.
On 09 Jan 1449 [her step-son] Richard Welles 7th Baron Willoughby 7th Baron Welles (age 21) and Joan Willoughby 7th Baroness Willoughby Eresby (age 24) were married. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England.
Around 1450 [her son] John Welles 1st Viscount Welles was born to [her husband] Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles (age 44) and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 40).
Around Jan 1450 [her son-in-law] John de la Pole 2nd Duke of Suffolk (age 7) and [her daughter] Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond (age 6) were married. The date subject to debate. Papal dispensation was granted on 18 August 1450. Margaret never recognised this marriage, and considered her next husband her first; as confirmed by her 1472 will. She the daughter of John Beaufort 1st Duke Somerset and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 40). He the son of William "Jackanapes" de la Pole 1st Duke of Suffolk (age 53) and Alice Chaucer Duchess Suffolk (age 46). They were half third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. 
Before 02 Apr 1450 [her son-in-law] William Zouche 5th Baron Zouche Harringworth (age 48) and [her daughter] Elizabeth St John Baroness Scrope Bolton Baroness Zouche Harringworth were married. She by marriage Baroness Zouche Harringworth. She the daughter of Oliver St John and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 40).
In Feb 1453 [her son-in-law] John de la Pole 2nd Duke of Suffolk (age 10) and [her daughter] Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond (age 9) marriage annulled.
On 01 Nov 1455 [her son-in-law] Edmund Tudor 1st Earl Richmond (age 25) and [her daughter] Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond (age 12) were married at Bletsoe Castle [Map]. She by marriage Countess Richmond. She the daughter of John Beaufort 1st Duke Somerset and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 45). He the son of Owen Tudor (age 55) and Catherine of Valois Queen Consort England. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. 
On 03 Jan 1458 [her son-in-law] Henry Stafford (age 33) and [her daughter] Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond (age 14) were married probably at Maxstoke Castle [Map]. Her third marriage (second if you don't include the one annulled) aged fourteen and already the mother of the future King Henry VII. She had no further issue. She the daughter of John Beaufort 1st Duke Somerset and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 48). He the son of Humphrey Stafford 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 55) and Anne Neville Duchess Buckingham (age 50). They were second cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. 
Before 1461 Thomas Dymoke (age 33) and [her step-daughter] Margaret Welles (age 28) were married. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England. 
On 29 Mar 1461 the Battle of Towton was a decisive victory for King Edward IV of England (age 18) bringing to an end the first war of the Wars of the Roses. Said to be the bloodiest battle on English soil 28000 were killed mainly during the rout that followed the battle.
The Yorkist army was commanded by King Edward IV of England (age 18) with John Mowbray 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 45), William Neville 1st Earl Kent (age 56), William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 30) (knighted), Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy (age 45), Henry Bourchier 2nd Count Eu 1st Earl Essex (age 57), [her future son-in-law] John Scrope 5th Baron Scrope of Bolton (age 23) and John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 61).
The Lancastrian army suffered significant casualties including Richard Percy (age 35), Ralph Bigod Lord Morley (age 50), John Bigod (age 28), Robert Cromwell (age 71), Ralph Eure (age 49), John Neville 1st Baron Neville of Raby (age 51), John Beaumont (age 33), Thomas Dethick (age 61), Everard Simon Digby, William Plumpton (age 25) and [her brother-in-law] William Welles (age 51) who were killed.
Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 39) was killed. His son Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland (age 12) succeeded 4th Earl of Northumberland, 7th Baron Percy of Alnwick, 15th Baron Percy of Topcliffe. Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland (age 3) by marriage Countess of Northumberland.
Ralph Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 49) was killed. He was buried at the nearby Saxton church where his chest tomb is extant. Baron Dacre Gilsland extinct. 
[her husband] Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles (age 55) was killed. His son [her step-son] Richard Welles 7th Baron Willoughby 7th Baron Welles (age 33) succeeded 7th Baron Welles.
The Lancastrian army was commanded by Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke Somerset (age 25), Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 30), Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 39) and Andrew Trollope.
Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 30) was attainted after the battle; Duke Exeter, Earl Huntingdon forfeit.
Those who fought for the Lancaster included William Tailboys 7th Baron Kyme (age 46), John Dudley 1st Baron Dudley (age 60), William Norreys (age 20), Thomas Grey 1st Baron Grey of Richemont (age 43), Robert Hungerford 3rd Baron Hungerford 1st Baron Moleyns (age 30), John Talbot 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury (age 12), Richard Welles 7th Baron Willoughby 7th Baron Welles (age 33), Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers (age 56), James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde (age 40), John Butler 6th Earl Ormonde (age 39), William Beaumont 2nd Viscount Beaumont (age 22), Henry Roos and Thomas Tresham (age 41). Cardinal John Morton (age 41) were captured.
Calendars. 26 Nov 1461. Westminster Palace [Map]. The like (Grant for life) to Margaret, duchess of Somerset (age 51), of 166l 13s 4d yearly from Michaelmas, 39 Henry VI, from the king's petty custom in the port of London and the same at the same at the receipt of the Exchequer, in lieu of a grant and confirmation to her of the same sums in pdwer by latters atent dated 9 July, surrendered. By K (age 19).
Around 1465 [her former step-daughter] Cecily Welles (age 35) died.
After 1470 [her son] Oliver St John (age 42) and [her daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Scrope (age 31) were married. He the son of Oliver St John and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 60).
On 12 Mar 1470 [her former step-son] Richard Welles 7th Baron Willoughby 7th Baron Welles (age 42) and Thomas Dymoke (age 42) were beheaded at Queen's Cross, Stamford. Note. Some sources say on battlefield immediately prior to the battle.
Before 10 Dec 1471 [her son-in-law] John Scrope 5th Baron Scrope of Bolton (age 34) and [her daughter] Elizabeth St John Baroness Scrope Bolton Baroness Zouche Harringworth were married. She by marriage Baroness Scrope of Bolton. She the daughter of Oliver St John and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 61).
Around 12 Jun 1472 [her son-in-law] Thomas Stanley 1st Earl of Derby (age 37) and [her daughter] Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond (age 29) were married. She by marriage Queen Mann, Baroness Stanley. She the daughter of John Beaufort 1st Duke Somerset and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 62). They were third cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. 
On 13 Jul 1480 [her former step-daughter] Margaret Welles (age 48) died.
On 08 Aug 1482 Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 72) died.
William Welles and Anne Barnewell were married. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England.
[her daughter] Margaret St John was born to Oliver St John and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset.
[her daughter] Agnes St John was born to Oliver St John and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset.
[her son] John St John and Alice Bradshaigh were married. He the son of Oliver St John and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset.
[her daughter] Elizabeth St John Baroness Scrope Bolton Baroness Zouche Harringworth was born to Oliver St John and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset.
Kings Wessex: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 10 Grand Daughter of Malcolm III King Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King Franks
Kings France: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of Robert "Pious" II King France
King Henry VII of England and Ireland x 1
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom x 8
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Beauchamp
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Beauchamp
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Maudit
Great x 2 Grandfather: Roger Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp Bletsoe 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Tosny VI Lord Flamstead
2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Tosny 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Petronilla Lacy
Great x 1 Grandfather: Roger Beauchamp 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Pateshull
Great x 2 Grandmother: Sibyl Pateshull Baroness Beauchamp Bletsoe
GrandFather: Roger Beauchamp 2nd Baron Beauchamp Bletsoe 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Walter Clopton
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Clopton Baroness Beauchamp
Father: John Beauchamp 3rd Baron Beauchamp Bletsoe 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Stourton
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Stourton 3 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Maurice Berkeley 5th Baron Berkeley
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Berkeley 6th and 1st Baron Berkeley Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Plantagenet Baroness Berkeley
Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Berkeley 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ferrers 5th Earl of Derby
3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Ferrers Baroness Berkeley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Quincy Countess Derby 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
GrandFather: John Stourton 4 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Mother: Edith Stourton Baroness Beauchamp Bletsoe 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
