Biography of Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester 1496-1549

Paternal Family Tree: Anjou aka Plantagenet

Maternal Family Tree: Jeanne Sabran

On 02 Jun 1492 [his father] Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester (age 32) and [his mother] Elizabeth Herbert 3rd Baroness Herbert Raglan (age 16) were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon and [his grandmother] Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon. He the illegitmate son of [his grandfather] Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset and [his grandmother] Joan Hill (age 80). He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England.

Around 1496 Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester was born to Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester (age 36) and Elizabeth Herbert 3rd Baroness Herbert Raglan (age 20).

In Aug 1507 [his mother] Elizabeth Herbert 3rd Baroness Herbert Raglan (age 31) died. She was buried at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle [Map]. Her son Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester (age 11) succeeded 4th Baron Herbert of Raglan.

In 1513 [his father] Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester (age 53) and [his step-mother] Elizabeth West (age 26) were married. The date most likely incorrect since their daughter was born in 1497; unless of course the daughter's mother is mis-attributed. The after 1507 date is derived from the death of his first wife in Aug 1507. The difference in their ages was 27 years. He the illegitmate son of [his grandfather] Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset and [his grandmother] Joan Hill. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England.

On 15 Jun 1514 Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester (age 18) and Margaret Courtenay Countess of Worcester (age 15) were married. She by marriage Countess Worcester. She the daughter of William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon and Catherine York Countess Devon (age 34). He the son of Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester (age 54) and Elizabeth Herbert 3rd Baroness Herbert Raglan. They were second cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a granddaughter of King Edward IV of England.

In 1515 [his father] Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester (age 55) and [his step-mother] Eleanor Dudley Countess Somerset (age 28) were married. She by marriage Countess Worcester. The difference in their ages was 27 years. He the illegitmate son of [his grandfather] Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset and [his grandmother] Joan Hill. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England.

After Jun 1515 [his brother-in-law] Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter (age 19) and Elizabeth Grey Countess Devon (age 10) were married. She by marriage Countess Devon. He the son of William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon and [his mother-in-law] Catherine York Countess Devon (age 35). He a grandson of King Edward IV of England.

On 25 Oct 1519 [his brother-in-law] Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter (age 23) and Gertrude Blount Marchioness of Exeter (age 16) were married. She by marriage Countess Devon. He the son of William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon and [his mother-in-law] Catherine York Countess Devon (age 40). He a grandson of King Edward IV of England.

In 1524 [his daughter] Lucy Somerset Baroness Latimer Snape was born to Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester (age 28) and [his future wife] Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester (age 22).

Around 1524 [his daughter] Anne Somerset was born to Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester (age 28) and [his wife] Margaret Courtenay Countess of Worcester (age 25). She a great granddaughter of King Edward IV of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.83%.

Before 1526 [his wife] Margaret Courtenay Countess of Worcester (age 26) died.

Before 1526 Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester (age 29) and Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester (age 23) were married. She by marriage Countess Worcester. He the son of Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester (age 65) and Elizabeth Herbert 3rd Baroness Herbert Raglan. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 1526 [his son] William Somerset 3rd Earl of Worcester was born to Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester (age 30) and [his wife] Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester (age 24).

On 15 Mar 1526 [his father] Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester (age 66) died. He was buried at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle [Map]. His son Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester (age 30) succeeded 2nd Earl Worcester.

Around 1530 [his daughter] Jane Somerset was born to Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester (age 34) and [his wife] Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester (age 28).

In 1532 [his son] Francis Somerset was born to Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester (age 36) and [his wife] Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester (age 30).

Tintern Abbey: History. 1536The coming of the Tudors to the throne, and the establishment of a strong monarchy, might have been expected to have opened an age of peace and prosperity for Tintern. But this was not to be. To Thomas Cromwell (age 51), casting round to raise funds for his master Henry VIII, the wealth of the religious houses appeared as a great prize. The monasteries were not in a strong position to withstand attack. The monastic ideal had lost its original appeal. Standards were low, and the life of the monks had become increasingly secular. The closure of the alien priories during the French wars, and, more recently, the suppression of many religious houses (notably 21 by Wolsey) on the grounds of misconduct, and the conversion of their funds to endow new schools and colleges, provided a ready precedent. In 1535 there was a general visitation of the monasteries, and in the following year an act was passed suppressing all those with revenues below £200 a year. This comprised about two-thirds of the total number of religious houses, and amongst them was Tintern Abbey [Map], which had an income of £192. In 1537 the site was granted to Henry, Earl of Worcester (age 40), whose [his father] father had married the [his mother] Herbert heiress, and who was consequently the abbey’s patron at the time of its suppression.

Trial of Anne and George Boleyn

On 15 May 1536 Queen Anne Boleyn (age 35) tried at the King's Hall in the Tower of London [Map].

Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 63) was appointed Lord High Steward and presided. Henry Howard (age 20) attended. Henry Pole 1st Baron Montagu (age 44) was one of the judges. [his wife] Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester (age 34) was the principal witness.

The jurors were:

Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk (age 52).

Edward Clinton 1st Earl Lincoln (age 24).

Thomas Fiennes 9th Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 21).

George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon (age 49).

Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland (age 44).

John Mordaunt 1st Baron Mordaunt (age 56).

Ralph Neville 4th Earl of Westmoreland (age 38).

Henry Parker 11th Baron Marshal 10th Baron Morley (age 55).

Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby (age 27).

Thomas Stanley 2nd Baron Monteagle (age 28).

John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford (age 65).

Thomas Wentworth 1st Baron Wentworth (age 35).

Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester (age 40).

Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland.

Thomas Burgh 7th Baron Cobham 5th Baron Strabolgi 1st Baron Burgh (age 48).

[his former brother-in-law] Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter (age 40).

William Fitzalan 18th Earl of Arundel (age 60).

Henry Fitzalan 19th Earl of Arundel (age 24).

Thomas Audley 1st Baron Audley Walden (age 48).

Edward Powers Lord Powers.

William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys Vyne (age 66).

Thomas Ware.

Andrew Windsor 1st Baron Windsor (age 69).

George Brooke 9th Baron Cobham (age 39).

She was found guilty and sentenced to be beheaded. John Spelman (age 56) signed the death warrant.

After Anne's trial her brother George Boleyn Viscount Rochford (age 33) was also tried and found guilty.

In 1538 [his daughter] Anne Somerset Countess Northumberland was born to Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester (age 42) and [his wife] Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester (age 36).

On 15 Oct 1542 [his brother-in-law] William Fitzwilliam 1st Earl of Southampton (age 52) died at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland [Map]. Earl of Southampton extinct. [his brother-in-law] Anthony Browne (age 42) inherited Cowdray House [Map].

Before 1545 [his son-in-law] John Neville 4th Baron Latimer of Snape (age 24) and [his daughter] Lucy Somerset Baroness Latimer Snape (age 20) were married. She by marriage Baroness Latimer of Snape. She the daughter of Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester (age 48) and [his wife] Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester (age 42). They were fourth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 17 Oct 1549 Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester (age 53) died. His son [his son] William Somerset 3rd Earl of Worcester (age 23) succeeded 3rd Earl Worcester, 5th Baron Herbert of Raglan.

In 1565 [his former wife] Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester (age 63) died.

[his son] Thomas Somerset was born to Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester and Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester.

[his son] Charles Somerset was born to Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester and Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester.

[his daughter] Eleanor Somerset was born to Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester and Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester.

Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester 1496-1549 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

King Edward III of England 1312-1377

John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster 1340-1399

Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent 1350-1397

Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster 1350-1403

Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 1415-1472

Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick 1382-1439

Royal Ancestors of Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester 1496-1549

Kings Wessex: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 11 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 17 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 12 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 10 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 6 Grand Son of Philip IV King France

Royal Descendants of Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester 1496-1549

Brigadier-General Charles FitzClarence

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Queen Consort Camilla Shand

Diana Spencer Princess Wales

Ancestors of Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester 1496-1549

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Edward III of England Son of King Edward II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Beaufort 1st Marquess Somerset and Dorset Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Giles "Payne" Roet

Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster

Great x 1 Grandfather: Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Fitzalan Countess Kent 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

GrandFather: Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Beauchamp 12th Earl Warwick 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Mortimer Countess Warwick 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ferrers 3rd Baron Ferrers of Groby 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Ferrers Countess Warwick 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Percy Baroness Ferrers Groby 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Maurice Berkeley 9th and 4th Baron Berkeley 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Berkeley 10th and 5th Baron Berkeley, Baron Lisle 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Despencer Baroness Berkeley Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Warin Lisle 2nd Baron Lisle 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Lisle Baroness Berkeley 3rd Baroness Lisle 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Pipard Baroness Lisle

Father: Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Hill of Shilston

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Hill of Shilston

GrandMother: Joan Hill

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Champernoun

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Champernoun

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Daubeney

Great x 3 Grandfather: Giles Daubeney

Great x 2 Grandmother: Katherine Daubeny

Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke

Great x 4 Grandfather: Llewellyn Brecon

Great x 3 Grandfather: Dafydd Gam Brecon

Great x 2 Grandmother: Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam "Star of Abergavenny" Brecon

GrandFather: William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Crophull 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Crophull 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Devereux 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Merbury

Mother: Elizabeth Herbert 3rd Baroness Herbert Raglan 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Woodville

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Woodville

Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Bittelsgate

Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Bittelsgate

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Beauchamp

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Beauchamp

GrandMother: Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy of Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol and Ligny 8 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Luxemburg Count St Pol 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Mathilde Chatillon Countess Saint Pol 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis Count of Enghien

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Brienne

Great x 1 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Francesco Baux 1st Duke Andria

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margherita Baux 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Nicholas Orsini Count 3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Sueva Orsini 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Jeanne Sabran