Duke of Beaufort

{{Short description|Title in the Peerage of England}} {{For|the French title|Duke of Beaufort (France)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox nobility title | name = Dukedom of Beaufort | image = 150px 180px | image_size = | alt = | caption = ''Quarterly, 1st and 4th, azure three fleurs-de-lys or (for France); 2nd and 3rd, gules three lions passant guardant in pale or (for England), all within a bordure compony argent and azure'' | creation_date = 2 December 1682 | monarch = Charles II | peerage = Peerage of England | first_holder = Henry Somerset, 3rd Marquess of Worcester | last_holder = | present_holder = Henry Somerset, 12th Duke of Beaufort | heir_apparent = Henry Robert FitzRoy Somerset, Marquess of Worcester | heir_presumptive = | remainder_to = 1st Duke's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten | subsidiary_titles = Marquess of Worcester Earl of Worcester Earl of Glamorgan (courtesy) {{nowrap|Viscount Grosmont (courtesy)}} | extinction_date = | family_seat = Badminton House (since the 17th century) | former_seat = Raglan Castle (until 1646) | motto = ''Mutare vel timere sperno'' (Latin for 'I scorn to change or to fear')<ref>{{cite news|last1= Woods|first1= Judith|title= Lord Edward Somerset: a fine pedigree counts for nothing|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10508429/Lord-Edward-Somerset-a-fine-pedigree-counts-for-nothing.html|access-date= 3 December 2016|work= The Daily Telegraph|date= 10 December 2013}}</ref> | footnotes = }}

'''Duke of Beaufort''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|oʊ|f|ə|t}} {{respell|BOH|fət}})<ref>{{cite LPD|3}}</ref> is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created by Charles II in 1682 for Henry Somerset, 3rd Marquess of Worcester, a descendant of Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester, legitimised son of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset, a Lancastrian leader in the Wars of the Roses. The name ''Beaufort'' refers to a castle in Champagne, France (now Montmorency-Beaufort). It is the only current dukedom to take its name from a place outside the British Isles.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

The Dukes of Beaufort descend in the male line from the House of Plantagenet through John of Gaunt, son of Edward III. This statement was challenged after the analysis of the Y chromosomal DNA of the remains of Richard III. Most living male heirs of the 5th Duke of Beaufort were found to carry a relatively common Y chromosome type, which is different from the rare lineage found in Richard III's remains. The instance of false paternity could have occurred anywhere in the numerous generations separating Richard III from the 5th Duke of Beaufort.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30281333 |title=Richard III's DNA throws up infidelity surprise |work=BBC News |date=2 December 2014 |access-date=18 August 2017}}</ref> The break also could have occurred with Richard III's grandfather Richard of Conisburgh, whose paternity has been called into question although he was acknowledged by his father.

Beaufort Castle was in possession of John of Gaunt, and the surname Beaufort was given to Gaunt's four legitimised children by his mistress and third wife, Katherine Swynford. This was the foundation of the House of Beaufort, Dukes of Somerset. A descendant of the Beauforts through his mother was Henry VII of England. Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester, KG (c. 1460 – 15 March 1526), was the bastard son of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset by his mistress Joan Hill.<ref name="burke301">{{cite book |title = Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knighthood|publisher= Burke's Peerage & Gentry |editor= Mosley, Charles |edition= 107 |year= 2003 |pages= 301 |isbn= 0-9711966-2-1}}</ref>

The Duke of Beaufort holds two subsidiary titles – '''Marquess of Worcester''' (created 1642) and '''Earl of Worcester''' (created 1514). The title of Marquess of Worcester is used as a courtesy title by the duke's eldest son and heir. The title of '''Earl of Glamorgan''' is used by the eldest son of the heir apparent to the dukedom. The Earl of Glamorgan's eldest son is known as '''Viscount Grosmont'''. The Earldom of Glamorgan and Viscountcy of Grosmont derive from an irregular creation in 1644 by Charles I in favour of Edward Somerset, who later succeeded his father as 2nd Marquess of Worcester.

Although the Earldom of Glamorgan and Viscountcy of Grosmont were not recognised as substantive titles at the restoration of Charles II, because of irregularities in the patent of creation, they have nevertheless continued to be used as convenient courtesy titles in order to distinguish the bearer from the Marquess of Worcester as heir apparent, the Earldom of Worcester not being distinctive enough for this purpose. All subsidiary titles are in the Peerage of England.

Field Marshal The Lord Raglan, born Lord FitzRoy Somerset (1788–1855), was the youngest son of the fifth duke.

== Family seat and estates == The family seat was Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire until 1646, after which it became Badminton House near Chipping Sodbury in Gloucestershire. The principal burial place of the Dukes and Duchesses of Beaufort is St Michael and All Angels' Church, Badminton.

Following the creation of the dukedom, each successive duke has served as Master of the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt, a foxhound pack kenneled on the Badminton Estate.

=== London residences === In 1738 Henry Somerset-Scudamore, 3rd Duke of Beaufort purchased the lease of No. 33 Upper Grosvenor Street ''(later the site of Grosvenor House)'' from John Chetwynd, 2nd Viscount Chetwynd for £8,000; this remained as his London house until his death in 1745.<ref name="SurveyLondonOldGrosvenorHouse">{{cite book |chapter=Old Grosvenor House |editor=F. H. W. Sheppard |title=Survey of London: Volume 40, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings) |year=1980 |publisher=London County Council |location=London |via=British History Online |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol40/pt2/pp239-250 |access-date=11 May 2026}}</ref>

His brother Charles Somerset, 4th Duke of Beaufort inherited the lease and continued to use 33 Upper Grosvenor Street as his London residence until his death in 1756, after which his widow Elizabeth Somerset, Duchess of Beaufort and son Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort continued to live at the house.<ref name="SurveyLondonOldGrosvenorHouse" /> The 5th Duke later sold the lease of the house, as well as most of its contents, to Prince William, Duke of Cumberland for £15,865 in 1761.<ref name="SurveyLondonOldGrosvenorHouse" />

The 5th Duke subsequently leased No. 5 Grosvenor Square from 1768, which remained as his London residence until his death in 1803. The lease was then inherited by his son Henry Somerset, 6th Duke of Beaufort, who had previously leased No. 54 Grosvenor Street from 1793 until his father’s death. The 6th Duke retained 5 Grosvenor Square as his London residence until his death in 1835.<ref name="SurveyLondonOldGrosvenorHouse">{{cite book |chapter=Old Grosvenor House |editor=F. H. W. Sheppard |title=Survey of London: Volume 40, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings) |year=1980 |publisher=London County Council |location=London |via=British History Online |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol40/pt2/pp239-250 |access-date=11 May 2026}}</ref><ref>"Grosvenor Street: South Side". Survey of London: Volume 40, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings). Ed. F H W Sheppard (London, 1980), British History Online. Web. 11 May 2026. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol40/pt2/pp44-57.</ref>

Henry Somerset, 7th Duke of Beaufort purchased No. 22 Arlington Street from John Pratt, 1st Marquess Camden in 1840, and employed the architect Owen Jones to undertake an extensive renovation of the house, which became known as ''Beaufort House''. In 1852 the 7th Duke sold the Beaufort House to William Hamilton, 11th Duke of Hamilton for £60,000.<ref name="GlosChronicleBeaufortHouse1853">{{cite news |title=Duke of Beaufort sells Beaufort House, Arlington Street |newspaper=Gloucestershire Chronicle |date=24 December 1853 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/gloucestershire-chronicle-duke-of-beaufo/197317217/ |access-date=11 May 2026}}</ref> Following the 7th Duke’s death in 1853, he was succeeded by his son Charles Somerset, 8th Duke of Beaufort. Prior to his father’s death the 8th Duke had leased No. 27 Berkeley Square in 1846, which he retained until 1855;<ref name="SurveyLondonBerkeleySquareNorth">{{cite book |chapter=Berkeley Square, North Side |editor=F. H. W. Sheppard |title=Survey of London: Volume 40, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings) |year=1980 |publisher=London County Council |location=London |via=British History Online |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol40/pt2/pp64-67 |access-date=11 May 2026}}</ref> during the second half of the nineteenth century he proceeded to lease a series of London homes on a short term basis for the London season, including No. 22 Grosvenor Square in 1856,<ref name="GrosvenorSquareBHO">"Grosvenor Square: Individual Houses built before 1926". Survey of London: Volume 40, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings). Ed. F H W Sheppard (London, 1980), British History Online. Web. 11 May 2026. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol40/pt2/pp117-166.</ref> Warwick House in 1875,<ref>The Morning Post. (7 April 1875). Page 5. Duke of Beaufort - Warwick House, Stable Yard, St James's. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-post-duke-of-beaufort-warw/197317462/</ref> and No. 11 Portman Square in 1877.<ref>Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald. (3 May 1877). Page 5. Duke of Beaufort - 11 Portman Square. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/bath-weekly-chronicle-and-herald-duke-of/197317361/</ref>

His son Henry Somerset, Marquess of Worcester leased No. 28 St James's Place for the 1897 London season.<ref>The Morning Post. (20 February 1897). Page 7. Marquis and Marchioness of Worcester - 28 St. James's Place. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-post-marquis-and-marchioness/197316437/</ref> Following the death of the 8th Duke in April 1899, Henry Somerset, 9th Duke of Beaufort took a short lease of a house in Brook Street, Mayfair from Augusta, Lady Delamere (widow of Hugh Cholmondeley, 2nd Baron Delamere).<ref>The Gloucestershire Echo. (27 June 1899). Page 3. Duke of Beaufort - Brook Street. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gloucestershire-echo-duke-of-beaufor/197316201/</ref> The 9th Duke continued to lease various houses on a short-term basis during the early 20th century, including No. 19 Curzon Street in 1900,<ref>The Times. (21 March 1900). Page 6. Duke and Duchess of Beaufort - 19 Curzon Street. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-duke-and-duchess-of-beaufort/197317794/</ref> 50 Grosvenor Street in 1901,<ref>South Wales Argus. (9 May 1901). Page 2. Duke and Duchess of Beaufort - 50 Grosvenor Street. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-wales-argus-duke-and-duchess-of-be/197317845/</ref> No. 17 Hill Street in 1902,<ref>Devon and Exeter Gazette. (12 May 1902). Page 2. Duke and Duchess of Beaufort - 17 Hill Street. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/devon-and-exeter-gazette-duke-and-duches/197317913/</ref> No. 17 Park Lane in 1903 from Blanche, Dowager Countess of Rosslyn,<ref>The Bath Chronicle. (28 May 1903). Page 8. Duke and Duchess of Beaufort - 17 Park Lane. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bath-chronicle-duke-and-duchess-of-b/197317956/</ref> and No. 31 Bruton Street in 1905.<ref>The Daily Telegraph. (9 May 1905). Page 10. Duke and Duchess of Beaufort - 31 Bruton Street. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-duke-and-duchess-of/197317993/</ref>

The 9th Duke purchased the lease of No. 11 Portman Square in 1907,<ref>South Wales Evening Post. (23 October 1907). Page 6. Duke and Duchess of Beaufort - 11 Portman Square. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2026, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-wales-evening-post-duke-and-duches/197316103/</ref> which continued to be the family’s London home until c. 1918.

Henry Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort, who served in the Royal Household as Master of Horse from 1936 until 1978, was granted Apartment 7, Kensington Palace as a grace-and-favour residence in 1953, which he and his wife Mary, Duchess of Beaufort retained as their London residence until c. 1979.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kensington Palace Home for Duchess of Beaufort |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=21 May 1953 |page=15 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-kensington-palace-ho/175227184/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=25 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Auction: Furniture and Works of Art, removed from Kensington Palace, by Duke and Duchess of Beaufort |newspaper=Western Daily Press |location=Bristol |date=10 May 1979 |page=3 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/western-daily-press-auction-furniture-a/175227683/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=25 June 2025}}</ref>

==Descent from John of Gaunt== *John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III and father of King Henry IV of England *John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset, natural and legitimized son of John of Gaunt by Katherine Swynford *Edmund Beaufort, 4th Earl and 2nd Duke of Somerset, fourth and youngest son of the 1st Earl *Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset, son of the 4th Earl and 2nd Duke of Somerset; his natural son was created Earl of Worcester in 1514.

==Earls of Worcester (1514)== {{For|previous creations|Earl of Worcester}} *Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester (c. 1450–1526), legitimised son of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset and Joan Hill :''Other titles (2nd onwards): Baron Herbert (1461)'' *Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester (c. 1495–1548), only legitimate son of the 1st Earl *William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester (died 1589), eldest son of the 2nd Earl *Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester (1553–1628), only son of the 3rd Earl, was the father of the 5th Earl and Lady Blanche Arundell *Henry Somerset, 5th Earl of Worcester (1577–1646) was created Marquess of Worcester in 1643

==Marquesses of Worcester (1642)== :''Other titles: Earl of Worcester (1514) and Baron Herbert (1461)'' *Henry Somerset, 1st Marquess of Worcester (1577–1646), eldest son of the 4th Earl, was a noted Cavalier *Edward Somerset, 2nd Marquess of Worcester (1601–1667), eldest son of the 1st Marquess, was an inventor. He has a claim to the invention of the steam engine. *Henry Somerset, 3rd Marquess of Worcester (1629–1700) was created Duke of Beaufort in 1682, after the Restoration **Henry Somerset, Lord Herbert (b. bef. 1660), eldest son of the 3rd Marquess, died in infancy

==Dukes of Beaufort (1682)== :''Other titles: Marquesses of Worcester (1642) and Earl of Worcester (1514)'' :''Other titles (1st–10th Dukes): Baron Herbert (1461)'' *Henry Somerset, 1st Duke of Beaufort (1629–1700), eldest son of the 2nd Marquess **Henry Somerset, Lord Herbert (b. before 1660), eldest son of the 1st Duke, died in infancy **Charles Somerset, Marquess of Worcester (1660–1698), second son of the 1st Duke, predeceased his father *Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort (1684–1714), only son of the Marquess of Worcester *Henry Scudamore, 3rd Duke of Beaufort (1707–1745), eldest son of the 2nd Duke, died without issue *Charles Noel Somerset, 4th Duke of Beaufort (1709–1756), second and youngest son of the 2nd Duke :''Other titles (5th–10th Dukes): Baron Botetourt (1305; abeyance ended 1803)'' *Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort (1744–1803), only son of the 4th Duke *Henry Charles Somerset, 6th Duke of Beaufort (1766–1835), eldest son of the 5th Duke *Henry Somerset, 7th Duke of Beaufort (1792–1853), eldest son of the 6th Duke *Henry Charles FitzRoy Somerset, 8th Duke of Beaufort (1824–1899), only son of the 7th Duke *Henry Adelbert Wellington FitzRoy Somerset, 9th Duke of Beaufort (1847–1924), eldest son of the 8th Duke *Henry Hugh Arthur FitzRoy Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort (1900–1984), only son of the 9th Duke, died without issue, at which point his two Baronies fell into abeyance. *David Robert Somerset, 11th Duke of Beaufort (1928–2017), great-grandson of Rt. Hon. Lord Henry Richard Charles Somerset, second son of the 8th Duke *Henry John FitzRoy Somerset, 12th Duke of Beaufort (b. 22 May 1952), eldest son of the 11th Duke.<ref name="burke301"/>

The heir apparent is the present holder's son, Henry Robert FitzRoy Somerset, Marquess of Worcester (b. 20 January 1989).<ref name="burke301"/>

{{Collapse top|title={{small|Line of succession (simplified)}}}} {{tree list}} *35px ''Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort (1744–1803)'' **35px ''Henry Somerset, 6th Duke of Beaufort (1766–1835)'' ***35px ''Henry Somerset, 7th Duke of Beaufort (1792–1853)'' ****35px ''Henry Somerset, 8th Duke of Beaufort (1824–1899)'' *****35px ''Henry Somerset, 9th Duke of Beaufort (1847–1924)'' ******35px ''Henry Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort (1900–1984)'' *****''Lord Henry Somerset (1849–1932)'' ******''Henry Charles Somers Augustus Somerset (1874–1945)'' *******''Henry Robert Somers FitzRoy de Vere Somerset (1898–1965)'' ********35px ''David Somerset, 11th Duke of Beaufort (1928–2017)'' *********35px '''Henry Somerset, 12th Duke of Beaufort''' (born 1952) **********'''(1).''' Henry Robert FitzRoy Somerset, Marquess of Worcester (born 1989) ***********'''(2).''' Henry, Earl of Glamorgan (born 2021) ***********'''(3).''' Lord Jack Somerset (born 2024) **********'''(4).''' Lord Alexander Lorne Somerset (born 1995) *********'''(5).''' Lord John Robert Somerset (born 1964) **********'''(6).''' Lyle David Somerset (born 1991) **''Lord Charles Somerset (1767–1831)'' ***''Henry Somerset (1794–1862)'' ****''Charles Henry Somerset (1819–1863)'' *****''Henry Plantagenet Somerset (1852–1936)'' ******''Charles William Henry Rollo Somerset (1895–1936)'' *******male issue in line ******''Hereward Henry Plantagenet Somerset (1900–1989)'' *******male issue in line ****''Henry George Edward Somerset (1829–1920)'' *****''Charles Wyndham Somerset (1862–1938)'' ******''Alan FitzRoy Somerset (1902–1940)'' *******male issue in line ****''FitzRoy MacLean Henry Somerset (1839–1907)'' *****''FitzRoy Henry Somerset (1881–1946)'' ******''Raglan Henry Somerset (1903–1981)'' *******''Eugene Somerset (1929–1993)'' ********male issue in line *******''John FitzRoy Somerset (1933–2003)'' ********male issue in line ******''Harry Edward Somerset (1914–1991)'' *******male issue in line ***''Poulett George Henry Somerset (1822–1875)'' ****''Vere Francis John Somerset (1854–1909)'' *****''William Francis Somerset (1876–1942)'' ******''Lionel Francis Somerset (1903–1981)'' *******male issue in line *****''Charles Somerset (1878–1941)'' ******''Henry Charles Fitzroy Somerset (1919–2006)'' *******male issue in line **''Lord Arthur John Henry Somerset (1780–1816)'' ***''George Henry Somerset (1809–1882)'' ****''FitzRoy John Henry Somerset (1851–after 1875)'' *****any legitimate male issue and heirs in the male line **''Lord William Somerset (1784–1851)'' ***''Henry Charles Capel Somerset (1816–1905)'' ****'' FitzRoy William Henry Somerset (1845–1878)'' *****''Raglan Somerset (1872–1940)'' ******''FitzRoy Raglan Somerset (1901–1985)'' *******''Raglan FitzRoy Somerset (1925–2002)'' ********male issue in line ***''William Somerset (1822–1902)'' ****''Charles Edward Henry Somerset (1862–1939)'' *****''William Raglan Henry Guy Somerset (1912–1981)'' ******''William Michael John Charles Somerset (1934–2007)'' *******male issue in line ***''FitzRoy Molyneux Henry Somerset (1823–1901)'' ****''Arthur William FitzRoy Somerset (1855–1937)'' *****''Arthur Plantagenet Francis Cecil Somerset (1889–1957)'' ******''John FitzRoy Pechell Somerset (1923–2019)'' *******male issue in line ***''Rev. Boscawen Thomas George Henry Somerset (1833–1893)'' ****''William Horace Boscawen Somerset (1880–1946)'' *****''FitzRoy Douglas Boscawen Somerset (1923–2019)'' ******male issue in line **35px ''FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan (1788–1855)'' ***35px '' Barons Raglan'' {{tree list/end}} <ref>{{cite book |year=1999 |chapter=Beaufort |editor1-last=Mosley |editor1-first=Charles |title=Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage|volume=1 |edition=106th |location=Crans, Switzerland |publisher=Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd. |pages=220–226|no-pp= |arxiv= |bibcode= |doi= |isbn=2-940085-02-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |year=2019|chapter=Beaufort |editor1-last=Morris |editor1-first=Susan |editor2-last=Bosberry-Scott |editor2-first=Wendy |editor3-last=Belfield |editor3-first=Gervase |title=Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage|volume=1 |edition=150th |location=London |publisher=Debrett's Ltd. |pages=500–507 |arxiv= |bibcode= |doi= |isbn=978-1-999767-0-5-1}}</ref> {{collapse bottom}}

<gallery> Bookplate-Henry Duke of Beaufort.jpg|Bookplate with the arms of the 2nd Duke of Beaufort Bookplate-Elizabeth Duchess of Beaufort.jpg|Bookplate with the arms of Elizabeth Somerset, wife of the 5th Duke of Beaufort Bookplate-Henry Somerset Duke of Beaufort.jpg|Bookplate with the arms of the 9th Duke of Beaufort </gallery>

==Coat of arms==

The heraldic blazon for the coat of arms of the dukedom is: ''Quarterly, 1st and 4th, azure three fleurs-de-lys or'' (for France); ''2nd and 3rd, gules three lions passant guardant in pale or'' (for England)'', all within a bordure compony argent and azure''.

This can be translated as: a shield divided into quarters, the top left and bottom right quarters are blue with three golden fleurs-de-lys (for France), and the top right and bottom left quarters are red with three golden lions ''passant'' with their faces toward the viewer, one above the other (for England); the foregoing quarters are within a border around the shield with segments alternating white and blue.

In heraldry, a ''bordure compony'' is traditionally used to designate illegitimacy. Since the original Beaufort siblings' father was of the English royal family, the English royal arms are used. At that time, the king of England also claimed the French crown, hence the inclusion of the French royal arms. {{Infobox coat of arms wide | name = Beaufort | image = 240px|centre | imagesize = | notes = | year_adopted = | coronet = Coronet of a Duke | crest =On a wreath, a portcullis, Or nailed Azure, chains pendant thereto of the first, which the family bears in memory of John of Gaunt's castle of Beaufort, before mentioned. Antiently the crest was a panther, Argent, diversely spotted, and gorged with a ducal coronet, Or. | torse = | helm = | escutcheon = ''Quarterly, 1st and 4th, azure three fleurs-de-lys or (for France); 2nd and 3rd, gules three lions passant guardant in pale or (for England), all within a bordure compony argent and azure'' | supporters = On the dexter side a panther, Argent, spotted with various colours, fire issuing out of his mouth and ears proper, gorged with a collar, and chain pendant, Or: on the sinister, a wyvern, vert, holding in his mouth a sinister hand coupé at the wrist proper [alias gules]. | compartment = | motto = ''Mutare vel timere sperno'' | orders = | other_elements = | bannerimage = | banner = | badgeimage = | badge = | symbolism = | previous_versions = }}

== Family tree == {{Lancaster and Leicester family tree}}

== Ancestral armorial == {{transcluded section|part=yes|List of coats of arms of the House of Plantagenet}}

{{#section::List of coats of arms of the House of Plantagenet|Somerset}}

==See also== * Duchess of Beaufort * Viscount Somerset * Baron Raglan

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Bibliography== * {{cite web |ref={{sfnRef|''Portrait of William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester''|2018}} |title = Portrait of William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Worcester3.JPG |date=13 July 2018 |website=Wikimedia Commons}} *{{cite ODNB |mode=cs2 |last=Robinson |first=W.R.B. |date=2004|id=26015 |title=Somerset, William, third earl of Worcester}} * {{cite book |last=Gurney |first=E. Henry |year=1890 |title=Reference handbook for readers, students, and teachers of English history |publisher=Ginn & Company |location=Boston |page=55}} * {{cite book |last1=Pinches|first1=John Harvey |last2=Pinches |first2=Rosemary |title=The Royal Heraldry of England |series=Heraldry Today |year=1974|publisher=Hollen Street Press |location=Slough, Buckinghamshire |isbn=0-900455-25-X}}{{page needed|date=November 2021}} *{{cite book |last=Burke |first=John |title=Burke's genealogical and heraldic history of peerage, baronetage and knightage |publisher=G.P.Putnam's Sons |location=New York |year=1914 |page=207}} *{{cite book |last=Hesilrige |first=Arthur G. M. |date=1921| title=Debrett's Peerage and Titles of courtesy| url=https://archive.org/details/debrettspeeraget00unse/page/100 | location=London |publisher=London: Dean & son, limited|page=100}}

==External links== * {{Commons category-inline|Dukes of Beaufort}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Beaufort}} Category:1682 establishments in England Category:Dukes of Beaufort Category:Dukedoms in the Peerage of England Category:History of Worcestershire Category:Noble titles created in 1682