Biography of Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland 1379-1440

Paternal Family Tree: Anjou aka Plantagenet

Maternal Family Tree: Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster 1350-1403

Descendants Family Tree: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland 1379-1440

1367 Battle of Nájera

1392 Death of Isabella of Castile

1396 Marriage of John of Gaunt and Katherine Roet

1397 Legitimation of the Beauforts

1397 Richard II Rewards his Supporters

1399 Death of John of Gaunt

In 1342 [her father] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 1) was created 1st Earl Richmond. It isn't clear whether his older brothers [her uncle] Edward "Black Prince" (age 11) and [her uncle] Lionel Plantagenet 1st Duke of Clarence (age 3) had been created Earls before this time.

On 10 Apr 1362 Maud Plantagenet Duchess Lower Bavaria (age 22) died. Her sister Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 20) succeeded 6th Countess of Leicester. [her father] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 22) by marriage Earl of Leicester adding a fourth Earldom to the ones he already held: Earl Richmond, Earl Lancaster and Earl Derby.

In or before 1367 Hugh Swynford and [her mother] Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster (age 16) were married.

Battle of Nájera

On 03 Apr 1367 the forces of Peter "Cruel" I King Castile (age 32) commanded by [her uncle] Edward "Black Prince" (age 36) defeated the army of Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile (age 33) at the Battle of Nájera at Nájera [Map]. The English forces included [her father] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 27), William Scrope, Peter Courtenay (age 21), John Devereux 1st Baron Devereux (age 30), John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 42), Bernard Brocas (age 37) and Thomas Banastre (age 33).

The forces of Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile included Bertrand Geusclin (age 47). The battle achieved little since Bertrand Geusclin escaped.

John Ferrers 4th Baron Ferrers of Chartley (age 36) was killed. His son Robert Ferrers 5th Baron Ferrers of Chartley (age 9) succeeded 5th Baron Ferrers of Chartley. Margaret Despencer Baroness Ferrers of Chartley by marriage Baroness Ferrers of Chartley.

Edward "Black Prince" thereafter returned home, taking Peter's daughters Constance (age 13) and Isabella (age 12) as hostages to ensure Peter would pay the money owed to Edward. Constance married John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster, Isabella married [her uncle] Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York (age 25).

On 21 Sep 1371 [her father] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 31) and Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster (age 17) were married at Roquefort, Landes. She by marriage Duchess Lancaster. His younger brother [her uncle] Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York (age 30) married Constance's sister in July 1372. An example of Marriage of Two Sets of Siblings. She the illegitmate daughter of Peter "Cruel" I King Castile and Maria Padilla. He the son of [her grandfather] King Edward III of England (age 58) and [her grandmother] Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England.

On 11 Jul 1372 [her uncle] Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York (age 31) and Isabella of Castile Duchess York (age 17) were married at Wallingford, Oxfordshire [Map]. She by marriage Countess Cambridge. She being the younger sister of Constance (age 18) who had married Edmund's older brother [her father] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 32) a year before. An example of Marriage of Two Sets of Siblings. She the illegitmate daughter of Peter "Cruel" I King Castile and Maria Padilla. He the son of [her grandfather] King Edward III of England (age 59) and [her grandmother] Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England.

In 1379 Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland was born illegitimately to John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 38) and Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster (age 28). She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 1391 Robert Ferrers (age 18) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 12) were married at Beaufort en Vallée [Map]. She the illegitmate daughter of John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 50) and Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster (age 40). She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Death of Isabella of Castile

On 23 Dec 1392 Isabella of Castile Duchess York (age 37) died. She the wife of [her uncle] Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York (age 51). Isabella had travelled to England with her sister Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster (age 38) who had married Edmund's elder brother [her father] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 52). Isabella and Edmund's marriage was not, apparently, a happy one. She is known to have had an affair with John Holland 1st Duke Exeter (age 40) who may have been the father of Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge (age 7) progenitor of the House of York.

In 1393 [her daughter] Elizabeth Ferrers Baroness Greystoke was born to Robert Ferrers (age 20) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 14). She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 1394 [her daughter] Mary or Margery Ferrers was born to Robert Ferrers and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 15). She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Marriage of John of Gaunt and Katherine Roet

On 13 Jan 1396 [her father] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 55) and [her mother] Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster (age 45) were married at Lincoln Cathedral [Map]. She by marriage Duchess Lancaster. He the son of [her grandfather] King Edward III of England and [her grandmother] Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England.

Froissart Book 4 Chapter 73. [13 Jan 1396]. At this period, the [her father] duke of Lancaster (age 55) married his third wife [[her mother] Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster (age 45)], the daughter of a Hainault knight, called sir [her grandfather] Paon de Ruet: he had formerly been one of the knights to the good and noble queen [her grandmother] Philippa of England, who much loved the Hainaulters, as she was herself of that country.

This lady whom the duke of Lancaster married was called Catherine, and in her youth had been of the household of the duchess Blanche of Lancaster. Before the lady Blanche's death, and even when the duke was married to his second wife Constance, the daughter of don Pedro, he cohabited with the lady Catherine de Ruet, who was then married to an Enghsh knight [Hugh Swynford] now dead*.

The duke of Lancaster had three children1 by her, previous to his marriage, two sons and a daughter: the eldest son was named [her illegitimate brother] John (age 23) lord Beaufort of Lancaster; the other [her illegitimate brother] Thomas [Henry] (age 21), whom the duke kept at the schools in Oxford, and made a great churchman and civihan. He was afterward bishop of Lincoln, which is the richest bishopric in the kingdom: from affection to these children, the duke married their mother, to the great astonishment of France and England, for Catherine Swynford was of base extraction in comparison to his two former duchesses Blanche and Constance. When this marriage was announced to the ladies of high rank in England, such as the duchess of Gloucester (age 30), the countess of Derby2, the countess of Arundel (age 20), and others connected with the royal family, they were greatly shocked, and thought the duke much to blame. They said, "he had sadly disgraced himself by thus marrying his concubine;" and added, that, "since it was so, she would be the second lady in the kingdom, and the queen (age 6) would be dishonourably accompanied by her; but that, for their parts, they would leave her to do the honours alone, for they would never enter any place where she was. They themselves would be disgraced if they suffered such a base-born duchess, who had been the duke's concubine a long time before and during his marriages, to take precedence, and their hearts would burst with grief were it to happen." Those who were the most outrageous on the subject were the [her uncle] duke (age 41) and duchess of Gloucester. They considered the duke of Lancaster as a doating fool for thus marrying his concubine, and declared they would never honour his lady by calling her sister. The [her uncle] duke of York (age 54) made light of the matter, for he lived chiefly with the king and his brother of Lancaster. The duke of Gloucester was of a different way of thinking: although the youngest of the three brothers, he yielded to no man's opinion, was naturally very proud and overbearing, and in opposition to the king's ministers, unless he could turn them as he willed. Catherine Ruet, however, remained duchess of Lancaster, and the second lady in England, as long as she lived. She was a lady accustomed to honours, for she had been brought up at court during her youth, and the duke fondly loved the children he had by her, as he showed during his life and at his death.

Note 1. Froissart mistakes in the number, and Thomas for Henry. According to Sandford, he had four children by Catherine Swynford : — John Beaufort, earl of Somerset, — Henry Beaufort, bishop of Winchester and cardinal of Beaufort, — [her illegitimate brother] Thomas Beaufort (age 19), duke of Exeter and earl of Dorset, — Joan Beaufort (age 17), countess of Westmoreland. For farther particulars, see Sandford and Dugdale.

Note 2. This reference to the Countess of Derby is confusing. In 1396 the Earl of Derby was [her half-brother] Henry (age 28), future King Henry IV, who inherited the title from fhis mother Blanche when she died in 1368. Henry's first wife Mary Bohun had died in 1394, and he marired his second wife Joanna of Navarre Queen Consort England (age 26) in 1403?

Before 29 Nov 1396 Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 32) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 17) were married. She by marriage Baroness Neville Raby. She the illegitmate daughter of John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 56) and Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster (age 46). He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Around 1397 [her daughter] Eleanor Neville Countess Northumberland was born to Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 33) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 18). She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Legitimation of the Beauforts

Parliament Rolls Richard II Jan 1397: Legitimation of Beaufort. 04 Feb 1397. 28. Be it remembered that on Tuesday, the fifteenth day of the parliament [4 February 1397], the chancellor (age 53), by order of the king (age 30), declared that our holy father the pope, in reverence of the most excellent person of the king and his honourable uncle the [her father] duke of Guyenne and of Lancaster (age 56), and of his blood, has enabled and legitimized my lord [her illegitimate brother] John Beaufort (age 24), his brothers [Note. [her illegitimate brother] Cardinal Henry Beaufort (age 22) and [her illegitimate brother] Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter (age 20)], and his sister (age 18). And therefore our lord the king, as sole ruler of his kingdom of England, for the honour of his blood, willed and enabled of his abundant royal power, and legitimized, of his own authority, the said John, his said brothers, and sister. And he also pronounced and published the ability and legitimation, according to the form of the charter of the king made thereon.


29. Which charter was read in full parliament, and delivered to the said duke, father of the said John, and his said brothers and sister; the tenor of which charter follows:

Richard, by the grace of God, king of England and France and lord of Ireland, to our most beloved kinsmen the noble John, knight, Henry, cleric, Thomas, donzel, and our beloved noblewoman Joan Beaufort, lady-in-waiting, our most beloved cousins born of our uncle that noble man John duke of Lancaster, our lieges, greeting and the goodwill of our royal majesty. While inwardly considering how endlessly and with how many honours of parental and sincere affection of our aforementioned uncle and of his mature counsel we are on all sides blessed, we have judged it appropriate and worthy that in consideration of his merits, and in contemplation of the grace of persons, we should endow you, who are resplendent with probity and virtuous life and conduct, and are born of royal stock and divinely marked with many virtues and gifts, with the protection of grace and favour by special prerogative. Thus it is that, yielding to the prayers of our said uncle, your father, we grant to you who, so it is claimed, have suffered such defect of birth, that, notwithstanding this defect, which, together with its various consequences, we wish to be fully included in these presents, you may nevertheless receive all honours, dignities, preferments, estates, degrees, and public and private offices, both perpetual and temporal, and feudal and noble rights, by whatsoever name they are called, such as duchies, lordships, earldoms, baronies, or whatsoever other fiefs they be, whether they be dependent upon or held of us mediately or intermediately, which may be preferred, promoted, elected, taken up and allowed, and received, retained, performed and exercised prudently, freely and lawfully, as if you were born in wedlock, notwithstanding any statutes or customs of our kingdom of England decreed or observed to the contrary; and we dispense you [from this defect] by the tenor of these presents, by the plenitude of our royal power and with the assent of our parliament; and we restore you and each of you to legitimacy.

Richard II Rewards his Supporters

On 29 Sep 1397 King Richard II (age 30) rewarded his relations with Dukedoms, possibly for their part in downfall of [her uncle] Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester (deceased), Thomas Beauchamp 12th Earl Warwick (age 59) and Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 11th Earl of Arundel (deceased) ...

His older half-brother John Holland 1st Duke Exeter (age 45) was created 1st Duke Exeter. [her half-sister] Elizabeth Lancaster Duchess Exeter (age 34) by marriage Duchess Exeter.

His nephew Thomas Holland 1st Duke Surrey (age 23) was created 1st Duke Surrey.

His second cousin once removed Thomas Mowbray 1st Duke of Norfolk (age 29) was created 1st Duke Norfolk. Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk (age 31) by marriage Duchess Norfolk.

His first cousin Edward 2nd Duke of York 1st Duke Albemarle (age 24) was created 1st Duke Albemarle aka Aumale. Beatrice Burgundy Countess Rutland and Cork (age 24) by marriage Duchess Albemarle aka Aumale.

His illegitimate first cousin [her illegitimate brother] John Beaufort 1st Marquess Somerset and Dorset (age 24) was created 1st Marquess Somerset, 1st Marquess Dorset. Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence (age 12) by marriage Marchioness Somerset, Marchioness Dorset.

Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 33) was created 1st Earl of Westmoreland. Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 18) by marriage Countess of Westmoreland.

Death of John of Gaunt

On 03 Feb 1399 [her father] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 58) died at Leicester Castle [Map]. [her mother] Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster (age 48) was by his side. He was buried in the Choir of St Paul's Cathedral [Map] with his first wife Blanche Duchess of Lancaster. His son [her half-brother] King Henry IV of England (age 31) succeeded 2nd Duke Lancaster, 7th Earl of Leicester.

King Richard II of England (age 32) witheld the future Henry IV's inheritance from him giving Henry reason to return to England to claim his lands and titles.

In 1400 [her son] Richard Neville Earl Salisbury was born to Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 36) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 21). He a great grandson of King Edward III of England.

Around 1400 [her daughter] Katherine Neville Duchess Norfolk was born to Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 36) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 21). She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 10 May 1403 [her mother] Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster (age 52) died. She was buried in Lincoln Cathedral [Map].

Around 1405 [her son] William Neville 1st Earl Kent was born to Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 41) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 26). He a great grandson of King Edward III of England.

Letters. 1406. Letter XXXII. Joanna Counters of Westmoreland (age 27) to her brother [her half-brother] Henry IV (age 38).

Most high and puissant prince, and most excellent sovereign lord,.

I recommend myself to your royal and high lordship in the most obedient manner which, with my whole, entire, and simple heart, I can most humbly do, as she who desires to know of you, and of your most noble estate and most perfect health, such prosperity as your royal and most honourable heart can desire. And may it please your high nobleness to understand that I write now to your royal presence in behalf of your loyal liege and esquire, Christopher Standith, who, as he has certified me, has been in your service in Wales every time you have been there against your enemies, and besides, in all your most honourable journeys since your coronation, in which he has expended the substance that he could acquire of his own and of his friends, in such wise that, whereas he and my well beloved his wife Margaret (daughter to Mr. Thomas Fleming, who was chancellor and servant during his life to my most honoured and redoubted lord your father, whom God assoil) kept house and establishment, they have left it, and the said Margaret is lodged very uncomfortably with her children, of whom she has many, having one or two every year; and all this on account of the great charge which her said husband has incurred and still incurs in your service; to whom, of your gracious goodness and gentleness, you have aforetime promised guerdon of his labour, whenever he should spy out [something] from which [he could have a living] of 40 marks or of 40 pounds. And, most puissant and excellent prince and my most sovereign lord, he is the youngest [and his father has dismissed him from] his service, and that merely because he and his wife married each other for downright love, without thinking this time [what they should have to live upon. Wherefore 1) entreat your most high and puissant lordship to consider that the said Margaret should dwell [in some suitable place, or else with the queen your wife, whom God protect; and that she is come to me trusting that my [intercession] might avail her with you. May it please you to be gracious lord to her and her said husband, and of your guerdon [assist them] to support in their persons poor gentility, that their affiance may turn to good effect for them, and to my honour, if it please you, by their finding succour from your royal and most excellent nobility^ on account of this my most effectual supplication.

Most high and puissant prince and most excellent sovereign lord, I pray God to grant you a most honourable and long life, and preserve you in his most excellent keeping, and give entire joy and gladness as much as your gentle and most noble heart would choose or desire.!Written at the castle of Raby [Map]. Your most humble and obedient subject, if it please you, J. DB W.

Around 1407 [her son] George Neville 1st Baron Latimer of Snape was born to Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 43) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 28) at Raby, County Durham. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England.

On 28 Oct 1407 [her son-in-law] John Greystoke 4th Baron Greystoke (age 18) and [her daughter] Elizabeth Ferrers Baroness Greystoke (age 14) were married at Greystoke Castle, Cumberland. She by marriage Baroness Greystoke. She the daughter of Robert Ferrers and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 28). She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Around 1408 [her daughter] Anne Neville Duchess Buckingham was born to Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 44) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 29). She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 12 Jan 1412 [her son-in-law] John Mowbray 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 20) and [her daughter] Katherine Neville Duchess Norfolk (age 12) were married. She the daughter of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 48) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 33). He the son of Thomas Mowbray 1st Duke of Norfolk and Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk (age 46). They were fourth cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In or before 1413 [her son] Edward Neville 1st Baron Bergavenny was born to Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 48) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 33). He a great grandson of King Edward III of England.

Before 1414 [her son-in-law] Richard Despencer 4th Baron Burghesh (age 17) and [her daughter] Eleanor Neville Countess Northumberland (age 16) were married. She by marriage Baroness Burghesh. She the daughter of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 49) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 34). He the son of Thomas Despencer 1st Earl Gloucester and Constance York Countess Gloucester (age 39). They were second cousins. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 03 May 1415 [her daughter] Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York was born to Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 51) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 36) at Raby Castle, County Durham [Map]. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In or before 1416 [her son-in-law] Ralph Neville (age 24) and [her daughter] Mary or Margery Ferrers (age 21) were married. She the daughter of Robert Ferrers and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 36). He the son of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 51) and Margaret Stafford Baroness Neville Raby. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Before 08 Jul 1418 [her son-in-law] Henry Percy 2nd Earl of Northumberland (age 25) and [her daughter] Eleanor Neville Countess Northumberland (age 21) were married. She by marriage Countess of Northumberland. She the daughter of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 54) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 39). They were second cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Before 1422 [her son] William Neville 1st Earl Kent (age 17) and [her daughter-in-law] Joan Fauconberg Countess Kent (age 15) were married. He the son of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 57) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 42). He a great grandson of King Edward III of England.

Before 1423 [her son] Richard Neville Earl Salisbury (age 23) and [her daughter-in-law] Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury (age 15) were married. She the daughter of Thomas Montagu 1st Count Perche 4th Earl Salisbury (age 34) and Eleanor Holland. He the son of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 58) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 43). They were half fourth cousins. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Before 18 Oct 1424 [her son-in-law] Humphrey Stafford 6th Earl Stafford (age 22) and [her daughter] Anne Neville Duchess Buckingham (age 16) were married. She by marriage Countess Stafford. She the daughter of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 60) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 45). He the son of Edmund Stafford 5th Earl Stafford and Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford (age 41). They were second cousins. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 21 Oct 1425 Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 61) died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Staindrop [Map]. His grandson Ralph Neville 2nd Earl of Westmoreland (age 19) succeeded 2nd Earl of Westmoreland. Elizabeth Percy Countess of Westmoreland (age 30) by marriage Countess of Westmoreland.

Monument to Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and his wives Margaret Stafford Baroness Neville Raby and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 46). Early Plate Bascinet Period. Orle. Man with Two Wives.

Elizabeth Percy Countess of Westmoreland: Around 1395 she was born to Henry "Hotspur" Percy and Elizabeth Mortimer Baroness Camoys at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. Around 1404 John Clifford 7th Baron Clifford and she were married. She by marriage Baroness de Clifford. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. In 1426 Ralph Neville 2nd Earl of Westmoreland and she were married. They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. On 26 Oct 1436 Elizabeth Percy Countess of Westmoreland died.

In Oct 1429 [her son-in-law] Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York (age 18) and [her daughter] Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York (age 14) were married. She by marriage Countess Cambridge Countess Ulster. She was the youngest sister of Richard's brother-in-arms [her son] Richard Neville Earl Salisbury (age 29). She the daughter of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 50). He the son of Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge and Anne Mortimer. They were second cousins. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 1436 [her son] Edward Neville 1st Baron Bergavenny (age 23) and [her daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Beauchamp 3rd Baroness Bergavenny (age 20) were married. He by marriage Baron Bergavenny. She the daughter of Richard Beauchamp 1st Earl of Worcester and Isabel Despencer Countess Warwick and Worcester (age 35). He the son of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 57). They were second cousin once removed. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Before 1437 [her son-in-law] Thomas Strangeways (age 42) and [her daughter] Katherine Neville Duchess Norfolk (age 36) were married. She the daughter of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 57). She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 1437 [her son] George Neville 1st Baron Latimer of Snape (age 30) and [her daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Beauchamp Baroness Latimer (age 20) were married. She by marriage Baroness Latimer of Snape. She the daughter of Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 54) and Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick. He the son of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 58). They were second cousin once removed. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

On 13 Nov 1440 Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 61) died at Howden. She was buried at Lincoln Cathedral [Map] next to her mother [her mother] Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster.

[her son] John Neville was born to Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England.

Excerpta Historica Page 152. Issue Of [her mother] Katherine De Roelt. Wife Of Sir Hugh Swynford, And Afterwards Of [her father] John of Gaunt Duke Of Lancaster.

Letters Patent Of King Henry The Fourth Certifying The Legitimacy Of Sir Thomas Swynford; With Notices Of The Swynford Family.

Every one is aware that John of Gaunt, "time-honoured Lancaster," formed an illicit connection with Katherine, the widow of Sir Hugh Swynford, and daughter and coheiress of Sir [her grandfather] Payne Roet, Knight, a native of Hainault, and Guienne King of Arms, and that he subsequently married her.

This lady had been governess of the Duke's daughters by his first wife, when his attachment to her, perhaps, commenced. In March 1377, Lady Swynford obtained a confirmation from Edward the Third of a grant from the Duke of Lancaster, of the manors of Gryngelley and Wheteley for life.1 On the 27th December, 3 Ric. II. 1379, the Duke granted her the wardship of the heir of Bertram de Sanneby, "pour le bone et greable service quelle nostre treschier et bien amee Dame Katherine Swynford, Maistresse de noz tresames filles Philipe et Elizabeth de Lancastre, ad fait a nos dittes filles;" and in September, 5 Ric. II. 1381, he gave her an annuity of two hundred marks, payable out of his honor of Tickhill.2 The Duke's second wife Constance, daughter and heiress of Peter, King of Castile and Leon, died in 1394; and two years afterwards, namely, on the 13th January 1396, being then about the age of fifty-four, he married Lady Swynford at Lincoln, to the great displeasure of the Duchess of Gloucester and other ladies of the blood royal.3 As Lady Swynford was then upwards of forty, and had been the Duke's mistress above twenty years, it may be inferred, that gratitude and conscientious motives were his only inducements for making her his wife. The Duke of Lancaster had by her, before his marriage, four children, who were surnamed Beaufort, from being born in Beaufort Castle in France: namely, [her illegitimate brother] John, who became Earl and Marquess of Somerset; [her illegitimate brother] Henry, Bishop of Winchester and Cardinal of England; [her illegitimate brother] Thomas, Duke of Exeter;4 and Joan, who married Ralph Neville, Earl of Westmoreland. All these children obtained letters of legitimation from Richard the Second, in February 1397, which was preceded by a similar act by the Pope. The King's patent for the purpose was read in the Parliament then sitting at Westminster;5 and the proceeding was ratified and confirmed by its authority. On the same occasion, Sir John Beaufort was created Earl of Somerset to hold to him and the heirs male of his body.6

Note 1. Fœdera, vii. 140.

Note 2. Sandford's Genealogical History, ed. 1707, p. 253.

Note 3. Ibid. and Dugdale's Baronage, ii. 119.

Note 4. He was buried at Bury St. Edmund's, and on the 20th of February 1772, his corpse being accidentally discovered, the coffin was sold as old lead, and his remains shamefully exposed.

Note 5. Rot. Parl. iii. p. 343a.

Note 6. Rot. Parl. iii. p. 343.

[her son] Cuthbert Neville was born to Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England.

[her son] Henry Neville was born to Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England.

NO IMAGE. Neville Arms with a label compony of Beaufort for difference, to signify his junior status as a son of his father's second marriage to Joan Beaufort, a legitimised daughter of John of Gaunt. Source.

[her son] Bishop Robert Neville was born to Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England.

Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland 1379-1440 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

King Henry III of England 1207-1272

King Edward I of England 1239-1307

King Edward III of England 1312-1377

John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster 1340-1399

Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster 1350-1403

Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England 1314-1369

Royal Ancestors of Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland 1379-1440

Kings Wessex: Great x 10 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings England: Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 6 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 2 Grand Daughter of Philip IV King France

Royal Descendants of Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland 1379-1440

King Edward IV of England

King Richard III of England

Anne Neville Queen Consort England

Catherine Parr Queen Consort England

Jane Grey I Queen England and Ireland

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Queen Consort Camilla Shand

Diana Spencer Princess Wales

Catherine Middleton Princess of Wales

Ancestors of Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland 1379-1440

Great x 4 Grandfather: King John "Lackland" of England Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Henry III of England Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: King Edward I of England Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: King Edward II of England Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso IX King Leon

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Berengaria Ivrea I Queen Castile Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Simon Dammartin

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Dammartin Queen Consort Castile and Leon

Great x 4 Grandmother: Marie Montgomery Countess Ponthieu

GrandFather: King Edward III of England Son of King Edward II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Louis IX of France Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Philip III of France 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Philip IV King France 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: James I King Aragon

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Barcelona Queen Consort France

Great x 4 Grandmother: Violant Árpád Queen Consort Aragon

Great x 1 Grandmother: Isabella of France Queen Consort England 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Theobald IV King Navarre 3 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry I King Navarre 4 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Blois I Queen Navarre 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Capet Count of Artois Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Blanche Capet Queen Navarre 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda Reginar Countess Saint Pol 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Father: John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Bouchard Avesnes

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Hainault I Count Hainault 4 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret II Countess Flanders 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Hainault II Count Hainault II Count Holland 5 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Floris Gerulfing IV Count Holland

Great x 3 Grandmother: Adelaide Gerulfing Countess Hainault 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Mathilde Reginar Countess Holland and Palatine 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Hainault I Count Hainault III Count Avesnes III Count Holland II Count Zeeland 6 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Philippa Luxemburg Countess Hainault and Holland 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry of Bar II Count of Bar 3 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret of Bar Countess Luxemburg and Namur 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Capet Countess of Bar

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

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Louis IX of France Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Philip III of France 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Valois I Count Valois 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: James I King Aragon

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Barcelona Queen Consort France

Great x 4 Grandmother: Violant Árpád Queen Consort Aragon

Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Valois Countess Zeeland Holland Avesnes and Hainault 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Charles Capet of Sicily Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles II King Naples 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Capet Countess Valois 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Stephen V of Hungary

Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary of Hungary Queen Consort Naples

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cuman

Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England