Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort KG (16 October 1744 – 11 October 1803) was an English courtier and politician. He was the only son of Charles Noel Somerset, 4th Duke of Beaufort and Elizabeth Somerset, Duchess of Beaufort. Styled the Marquess of Worcester from 1746, at his father's death on 28 October 1756, he succeeded him as 5th Duke of Beaufort, 7th Marquess of Worcester, 11th Earl of Worcester, and 13th Baron Herbert.[1]
The Duke of Beaufort | |
---|---|
Born | 16 October 1744 |
Died | 11 October 1803 |
Noble family | Beaufort |
Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Boscawen (m. 1766) |
Issue | 13, including: |
Father | Charles Somerset, 4th Duke of Beaufort |
Mother | Elizabeth Berkeley |
On 18 October 1760, he began his studies at Oriel College, Oxford, graduating on 7 July 1763 with a Doctor of Civil Laws (DCL) degree.[1]
He held the office of Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge of England between 1767 and 1772.[1] From 1768 to 1770, he was Master of the Horse to Queen Charlotte.[1] He was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Monmouthshire in 1771 and Lord-Lieutenant of Brecknockshire in 1787, holding both offices until his death in 1803, as well as that of Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire from 1787 to 1799.[1] He was appointed Colonel of the Monmouthshire Militia on 23 December 1771 and assumed command of the Monmouth and Brecon Militia when the combined regiment was embodied on 1 February 1793. He remained in command until his death.[2]
He was invested as a Knight of the Order of the Garter (KG) on 2 June 1786.[1] His last will was dated from 21 June 1789 to 11 September 1800. On 4 June 1803, shortly before his death, he succeeded to the title of 5th Lord Botetourt.[1]
The 5th Duke of Beaufort is buried at St Michael and All Angels Church, Badminton.
On 2 January 1766, he married Elizabeth Boscawen, daughter of Hon. Edward Boscawen, Admiral of the Blue, and sister to George Boscawen, 3rd Viscount Falmouth.[1] Elizabeth died 15 June 1828. Together they had four daughters and nine sons:
Henry Somerset and Richard III were both male-line descendants of Edward III, Henry through Edward's 4th son John of Gaunt and Richard through Edward's 5th son Edmund of Langley.[3] But Y-DNA of Henry's descendants did not match Richard III, meaning that somewhere in one of their pedigrees, there was a false paternity event.[4]