Henry Scudamore, 3rd Duke of Beaufort
Encyclopedia
Henry Somerset-Scudamore, 3rd Duke of Beaufort (23 March 1707 – 26 February 1745; he died at the age of 38.) was born Henry Somerset, the elder son of Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort
and his second wife, Rachel Noel. As his father's eldest son and heir to his father's title he was known as (styled) Marquess of Worcester, a courtesy title
. On his father's death on 24 April 1714 he succeeded him and became 3rd Duke of Beaufort
.
At the age of 19 he commissioned the construction of what would later become known as the Badminton Chest (or Badminton Cabinet), an ornate set of drawers made in Florence
. The chest was sold in 2004 to Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein
for over $35 million, making it the most expensive piece of furniture in the world. It is on display in the Palais Liechtenstein
in Vienna
, Austria.
On 28 June 1729 he married Frances Scudamore (born 14 August 1711 – died 16 February 1750), the only daughter and heir of James Scudamore, 3rd Viscount Scudamore
and took his wife's name by an Act of Parliament
a year later. In 1742 he filed for divorce due to Frances' adulterous
relationship with William Talbot
, who later became Earl Talbot
. Frances countersued, saying the Duke was impotent; in March 1743, he demonstrated before court-appointed examiners that he was physically able to have an erection. The divorce was granted, and he sued Talbot for damages. Frances was later remarried, to Charles FitzRoy-Scudamore
.
The Duke was one of several founding governors of Britain's first institution for abandoned children, the Foundling Hospital
, and his name is listed in its royal charter
received from George II
in October of 1739.
Because he had no issue, his titles and estates were inherited by his younger brother, Charles Noel.
An illegitimate daughter of the Duke, Margaret Burr, married to the painter Thomas Gainsborough
and had issue.
Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort
Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort, KG PC was the only son of Charles Somerset, Marquess of Worcester, and Rebecca Child...
and his second wife, Rachel Noel. As his father's eldest son and heir to his father's title he was known as (styled) Marquess of Worcester, a courtesy title
Courtesy title
A courtesy title is a form of address in systems of nobility used for children, former wives and other close relatives of a peer. These styles are used 'by courtesy' in the sense that the relatives do not themselves hold substantive titles...
. On his father's death on 24 April 1714 he succeeded him and became 3rd Duke of Beaufort
Duke of Beaufort
Duke of Beaufort 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, illegitimate son of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset, a Lancastrian leader in the Wars of the...
.
At the age of 19 he commissioned the construction of what would later become known as the Badminton Chest (or Badminton Cabinet), an ornate set of drawers made in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
. The chest was sold in 2004 to Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein
Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein
Hans-Adam II , is the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein. He is the son of Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife Countess Georgina von Wilczek . He also bears the titles Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf, Count of Rietberg...
for over $35 million, making it the most expensive piece of furniture in the world. It is on display in the Palais Liechtenstein
Palais Liechtenstein
Palais Liechtenstein may refer to:* Stadtpalais Liechtenstein , in the I. district of Vienna Innere Stadt* Gartenpalais , in the IX. district Alsergrund, currently houses the extensive art collection of the Liechtenstein princes...
in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Austria.
On 28 June 1729 he married Frances Scudamore (born 14 August 1711 – died 16 February 1750), the only daughter and heir of James Scudamore, 3rd Viscount Scudamore
Viscount Scudamore
Viscount Scudamore was a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created on 1 July 1628 for the diplomat and politician Sir John Scudamore, 1st Baronet...
and took his wife's name by an Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
a year later. In 1742 he filed for divorce due to Frances' adulterous
Adultery
Adultery is sexual infidelity to one's spouse, and is a form of extramarital sex. It originally referred only to sex between a woman who was married and a person other than her spouse. Even in cases of separation from one's spouse, an extramarital affair is still considered adultery.Adultery is...
relationship with William Talbot
William Talbot, 1st Earl Talbot
William Talbot, 1st Earl Talbot PC , known as the Lord Talbot from 1737 to 1761, was a British politician....
, who later became Earl Talbot
Earl Talbot
Earl Talbot is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of Great Britain. This branch of the Talbot family descends from the Hon. Sir Gilbert Talbot , third son of John Talbot, 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury. His great-great-great-grandson the Right Reverend William Talbot was Bishop of Oxford,...
. Frances countersued, saying the Duke was impotent; in March 1743, he demonstrated before court-appointed examiners that he was physically able to have an erection. The divorce was granted, and he sued Talbot for damages. Frances was later remarried, to Charles FitzRoy-Scudamore
Charles FitzRoy-Scudamore
Charles FitzRoy-Scudamore was a British politician.Born Charles FitzRoy, he was the illegitimate son of Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton. Fitzroy married Frances Scudamore after her divorce from Henry Scudamore, 3rd Duke of Beaufort in 1744...
.
The Duke was one of several founding governors of Britain's first institution for abandoned children, the Foundling Hospital
Foundling Hospital
The Foundling Hospital in London, England was founded in 1741 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram. It was a children's home established for the "education and maintenance of exposed and deserted young children." The word "hospital" was used in a more general sense than it is today, simply...
, and his name is listed in its royal charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
received from George II
George II of Great Britain
George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
in October of 1739.
Because he had no issue, his titles and estates were inherited by his younger brother, Charles Noel.
An illegitimate daughter of the Duke, Margaret Burr, married to the painter Thomas Gainsborough
Thomas Gainsborough
Thomas Gainsborough was an English portrait and landscape painter.-Suffolk:Thomas Gainsborough was born in Sudbury, Suffolk. He was the youngest son of John Gainsborough, a weaver and maker of woolen goods. At the age of thirteen he impressed his father with his penciling skills so that he let...
and had issue.