THOMAS

See also:

• BEAUFORT
• BEAUFORT, FRANCOIS DE VENDOME
• BEAUFORT, HENRY (c. 1377–1447)
• BEAUFORT, LOUIS DE (d. 1795)

BEAUFORT (d. 1426)  held various high offices under Henry IV., and took a leading part in suppressing the rising in the north in 1405 . He became chancellor in 1410, but resigned this office in January 1412 and took part in the expedition to France in the same year . He was then created earl of Dorset, and when Henry V. became king in 1413, he was made lieutenant of Aquitaine and took charge of Harfleur when this town passed into the possession of the English . In 1416 he became lieutenant of Normandy, and was created duke of Exeter; and returning to England he compelled the Scots to raise the siege of Roxburgh . Crossing to France in 1418 with reinforcements for Henry V., he took an active part in the subsequent campaign, was made captain of Rouen, and went to the court of France to treat for peace . He was then captured by the French at Bauge, but was soon released and returned to England when he heard of the death of Henry V. in August 1422 . He was one of Henry's executors, and it is probable that the king entrusted his young son, King Henry VI., to his care . However this may be, Exeter did not take a very prominent part in the government, although he was a member of the council of regency . Having again shared in the French war, the duke died at Greenwich about the end of the year 1426 . He was buried at Bury St Edmunds, where his remains were found in good condition 350 years later . He married Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Neville of Nornby, but left no issue .