Excerpta Historica Page 3. [31 May 1444.] Grant Of The Wardship Of Margaret (age 1), Daughter And Heiress Of John Beaufort (deceased), Duke Of Somerset, To William De La Pole (age 47), Earl Of Suffolk, In The 22^nd Hen. Vi. 1443.

Until the reign of Charles the Second, the custody of the lands of minors formed a profitable branch of the royal prerogative, their wardship being either sold by the Crown, or conferred on some faithful servant or needy favourite. The death of John de Beaufort (deceased), Duke of Somerset, grandson of John of Gaunt, in 1443, leaving by Margaret (age 34), daughter of Sir John Beauchamp of Bletsho, a daughter Margaret (age 1), only three years of age, his heir, afforded the King an opportunity of rewarding, in a substantial manner, Michael de la Pole (age 47), Earl of Suffolk, who was the next year created Marquess, and soon afterwards Duke, of Suffolk; but who, after attaining the highest honours, having been Lord Chancellor, and Lord High Admiral, was beheaded in a cock-boat near Dover in 1450.

The young heiress became one of the most distinguished women of her age: the foundress of a college, the patroness of literature, the mother of a sovereign, and progenitrix of every subsequent monarch of England. When very young, she married Edmond Tudor (age 13), Earl of Richmond, by whom, at the age of fifteen, she was mother of King Henry VII. The Earl (age 13) died in 1456, and she married, secondly, Sir Henry Stafford (age 19), a younger son of Humphrey, Duke of Buckingham (age 41); and thirdly, Thomas, Lord Stanley (age 9), first Earl of Derby. This illustrious lady lived just long enough to see her grandson on the Throne, and dying on the 29th of June, 1 Hen. VIII. 1509, aged about sixty-nine, was interred in the south aisle of Henry the Seventh's Chapel at Westminster.

Right Reverend fader in God Right trusty and Right welbeloved we grete you wel. And for as moche as oure Cousin the Duc of Somerset (deceased) is nowe late passed to God mercy the whiche hath a doughter and heir to succede after hym of ful tender age called Margarete (age 1). We considering the notable services that oure Cousin the earl of Suffolk (age 47) hath doon unto us and tendering hym therfore the more spially as reson wol have of oure grace and espialle propre mocion and mere deliberacion graunted unto hym to have the warde and mariage of the said Margarete withouten eny thing therfore unto us or oure heires yelding. Wherfore we wol and charge you that unto oure said Cousin of Suffolk (age 47) ye do make upon this oure graunte oure tres patent souffisant in lawe and in deue forme. And that ye faille not hereof. As we spially truste you and as ye desire to do unto us singuleir plesir. And that ye sende unto us oure said tres patent seeled by the berer of these. Lating you wite that ye shal hereafter at suche tyme as ye come unto oure presence have suche warrant for youre discharge in this behalve. As shal be souffisant unto you and as the cas requireth. Yeven under oure signet at oure Castel of Berkhampstede [Map] the laste day of May.

To the Right Reverend fader in God oure Right trusty and Right wel beloved the archebisshop of Caunterbury oure Chancellor of Englande.