Henry Somerset-Scudamore, 3rd Duke of Beaufort(23 March 1707 – 26 February 1745), bornLord Henry Somerset,was an English nobleman and peer who supportedJacobitism.
The Duke of Beaufort | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Lord Henry Somerset 23 March 1707 |
| Died | 26 February 1745(aged 37) |
| Noble family | Beaufort |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Issue | Margaret Burr(illegitimate) |
| Father | Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort |
| Mother | Rachel Noel |
Life
editHe was the elder son ofHenry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufortand his second wife, Rachel Noel. As his father's eldest son and heir to his father's title he was known as (styled)Marquess of Worcester,acourtesy title.On his father's death on 24 April 1714, he succeeded him and became 3rdDuke of Beaufort.
At the age of 19, Beaufort commissioned the construction of what would later become known as the Badminton Chest orBadminton Cabinet,an ornate set of drawers made inFlorence.The chest was sold in 2004 toHans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtensteinfor £19 million, making it the most expensive piece of furniture in the world.[1]It is on display in thePalais LiechtensteininVienna,Austria.
The Duke was one of several founding governors of Britain's first institution for abandoned children, theFoundling Hospital,and his name is listed in itsroyal charterreceived fromGeorge IIin October 1739.
In 1743, he was one of several leading English Tories who communicated with the French government throughFrancis Sempillin order to elicit French support for an invasion to restore the Stuart line.
After his death, the 3rd Duke of Beaufort was buried atSt Michael and All Angels Church, Badminton.His memorial was sculpted byJohn Michael Rysbrackin 1754.[2]
Because he had no legitimate children, his titles and estates were inherited by his younger brother,Charles Noel Somerset.
Family
edit| Duke and Duchess of Beaufort's Name and Lord Scudamore's Estate Act 1729 | |
|---|---|
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act for obliging Henry Duke of Beaufort. and Frances Dutchess of Beaufort and her Children, to take the additional Surname, and bear the Arms, of Scudamore, pursuant to a Settlement made by James late Lord Scudamore in the Kingdom of Ireland; and for vesting in the said Duke, in Fee, the Manors of Wickball and Ditton Camois, and Lands in the County of Cambridge, late the Estate of the said Lord Scudamore, in Lieu of the Portion provided by him for his Daughter the said Dutchess; and for other Purposes therein mentioned. |
| Citation | 3 Geo. 2.c.10 |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 15 May 1730 |
On 28 June 1729 Beaufort marriedFrances Scudamore,the only daughter and heir ofJames Scudamore, 3rd Viscount Scudamore,and took his wife's name by a privateAct of Parliament(3 Geo. 2.c.10) later the same year.[3]
In 1742 Beaufort filed for divorce over Frances'sadulterousrelationship withWilliam Talbot,who later becameEarl Talbot.Frances countersued, saying the Duke was impotent; in March 1743, he demonstrated before court-appointed examiners that he was physically able to have an erection. The divorce was granted, and he sued Talbot for damages.[4][5]Frances later remarried, toCharles FitzRoy-Scudamore.
Beaufort had one illegitimate daughter, Margaret Burr, who married the painterThomas Gainsboroughand had issue.
References
edit- ^Jones, Sam (10 December 2004)."Highest priced furniture sells for £19m".The Guardian.Retrieved30 June2024.
- ^Gunnis, Rupert.Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660–1851.p. 338.
- ^"Deed Poll Office (D·P·O)".Deed Poll Office.Retrieved30 June2024.
- ^Stephanson, Raymond (2003).The Yard of Wit: Male Creativity and Sexuality, 1650-1750.University of Pennsylvania Press.p. 86.ISBN0-8122-3758-7.Retrieved24 February2011.
- ^McLaren, Angus (2007).Impotence: a cultural history.University of Chicago Press.p. 72.ISBN978-0-226-50093-5.Retrieved24 February2011.