The only British dukedom named after a French castle, with a disputed royal lineage.
In short: Created by Charles II in 1682, the Duke of Beaufort is a unique title in the Peerage of England. While the family claims descent from the House of Plantagenet, modern genetic analysis of Richard III has cast doubt on the biological legitimacy of their royal connection through the male line.
The title originates from Beaufort Castle in Champagne, France, making it the sole current dukedom to derive its name from a location outside the British Isles. The name was first bestowed upon the four children of John of Gaunt and his mistress, Katherine Swynford. These children formed the House of Beaufort, a lineage that eventually produced Henry VII. The dukedom itself was established for Henry Somerset, a descendant of this line through his ancestor Charles Somerset, the illegitimate son of the 3rd Duke of Somerset.
The family's claim to royal blood via the House of Plantagenet has faced scrutiny following scientific investigation. Researchers compared the Y chromosomal DNA from the remains of Richard III against those of living male heirs of the 5th Duke of Beaufort. The results revealed a mismatch, as the dukes possess a common Y chromosome type rather than the rare lineage identified in the king. This discrepancy suggests a break in the paternal line, which could have occurred at various points across the generations or perhaps as far back as Richard III's grandfather, Richard of Conisburgh.
Beyond their lineage, the family has maintained a significant presence in British history through their estates and political roles. After moving from Raglan Castle in 1646, they established their primary seat at Badminton House in Gloucestershire. The dukes have long been associated with the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt, a foxhound pack based on the estate. Throughout the centuries, the family navigated the complexities of the peerage, holding various subsidiary titles such as the Marquess of Worcester and the Earl of Glamorgan, while managing vast landholdings that spanned over 50,000 acres in the late nineteenth century.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Duke of Beaufort
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