Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester

Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester, (c. 146015 March 1526) was an English nobleman and politician. He was the illegitimate son of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset by his mistress Joan Hill.

Origins Somerset was born in about 1460, an illegitimate son of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset by his mistress Joan Hill. He was legitimised.

Career Somerset was invested as a Knight of the Garter in about 1496. On his marriage in 1492 he was styled Baron Herbert in right of his wife, and in 1506 he was created Baron Herbert of Ragland, Chepstow and Gower.

On 1 February 1514, he was created Earl of Worcester and was at some time appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household to King Henry VIII. As Lord Chamberlain, Somerset was largely responsible for the preparations for the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520.

Somerset was both raised to high rank in the Henry VIII's reign and was personally connected with leading members of the nobility. For example, he stood in surety for the loan from the King taken by Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury to pay for her husband's burial.

Marriages and children He married three times, although his second marriage is uncertain.

Firstly on 2 June 1492, he married Elizabeth Herbert, 3rd Baroness Herbert (died before March 1513), daughter of William Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, jure exoris 2nd Baron Herbert. only son and heir. He married firstly and by papal dispensation to Lady Margaret Courtenay, daughter of William Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon and Catherine of York. He married secondly to Elizabeth Browne, daughter of Anthony Browne and Lucy Neville, and had issue.

Elizabeth Somerset, his only daughter, wife successively of Sir John Savage and Sir William Brereton. Secondly he allegedly married Elizabeth West, daughter of Sir Thomas West, 8th Baron De La Warr. His supposed marriage to Elizabeth West, however, may be an error made by William Dugdale, repeated by later writers. By Elizabeth West he supposedly had the following children: Sir Charles Somerset Sir George Somerset Lady Mary Somerset of Worcester, married firstly to William Grey, 13th Baron Grey de Wilton and secondly to Robert Carre. Thirdly he married Eleanor Sutton, daughter of Edward Sutton, 2nd Baron Dudley. and Thomas Savage, 1st Viscount Savage.

Death and burial Somerset died on 15 March 1526 and was buried with his first wife at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Coat of arms

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