Biography of Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick 1382-1439

Before 1374 [his father] Thomas Beauchamp 12th Earl Warwick (age 35) and [his mother] Margaret Ferrers Countess Warwick (age 26) were married. She by marriage Countess Warwick. He the son of [his grandfather] Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 60) and [his grandmother] Katherine Mortimer Countess Warwick. They were third cousin twice removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King John of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

On 28th January 1382 Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick was born to Thomas Beauchamp 12th Earl Warwick (age 43) and Margaret Ferrers Countess Warwick (age 35) at Salwarpe, Worcestershire. King Richard II of England (age 15) and Archbishop Richard Scrope (age 32) were his godfathers.

Beauchamp Pageant. [28th January 1382] 1. This Pagent sheweth the birth of the famous knyght Richard Beauchamp Erle of Warrewik which was born in the Maner of Salwarp in the Counte of Worcester the xxviij day of the Moneth of Januar'. the yere of the Incarnacion of our lorde Jhesu Criste mlccclxxxjl whose notable actes of chevalry and knyghtly demenaunce been also shewed in the pagentis hereafter ensuyng.

Note. The picture shows the Earl's mother,¹ Margaret, daughter of William Lord Ferrers of Groby, sitting up in bed and looking towards her infant son, who is held, wrapped in swaddling clothes, by a lady of quality, wearing the large "butterfly" headdress. The bed has an ample coverlet, an embroidered tester, and a fringed celure, also embroidered, with the side curtains partly drawn and the end curtains gathered up out of the way. Next the lady with the babe sits a woman with a round cap, stirring some food in a saucepan over the fire.

On the opposite side of the room is a nurse in veiled cap approaching the bed and holding a basin, the contents of which she is stirring with a spoon. At the foot of the bed is another lady kneeling on the tiled floor before an open coffer and examining the spoons and standing cups contained therein, probably the birthday gifts to the new-born babe. On the extreme left is an entry, covered by a sparver, to a passage paved with tiles and lighted by a small window over the entrance.

Note 1. As was then the custom, the lady is not wearing any night-dress.

Beauchamp Pageant. [After 28th January 1382] 2. Here is shewed howe he [Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick] was baptised havyng to his godfadres Kyng Richard the secund and seynt Richard Scrope (age 32) then bisshop of lichefeld and after in processe of tyme. he was Archebisshop of Yorke.

Note. This picture shows the naked babe being dipped, discreetly and warily, into the font of baptism by a bishop vested in rochet, grey amess, cope with jewelled orphrey, and wearing a rich mitre. On the other side of the font stand the sponsors:¹ King Richard in his crown and parliament robes with his right hand on the infant's head; the Bishop of Lichfield, mitred, and in gown and hooded tippet; and a lady of quality, the godmother probably, with butterfly headdress and long gown trimmed with ermine. Behind Ithe King stand his swordbearer and a nobleman, and to the left of the officiating bishop is a clerk or canon holding up the manual with the baptismal office, and on the bishop's right a canon, in cassock, surplice, and grey amess, bears the open chrismatory with the vessels of oil and cream for the anointing. Behind the bishop stand two other canons, one of whom holds the bishop's gloves and crosier, and in rear of them is a group of spectators. The font is shown with a six-sided shallow and arcaded bowl, supported by a central and six other round pillars standing on a simple plinth. On the extreme right is a flight of steps up to a vaulted entry into a tall round turret and across the top of the picture is a parapet of pierced quatrefoils.

Note 1. The babe was probably named Richard after the King and the Bishop.

Before 5th October 1397 Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 15) and Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick (age 11) were married. He the son of Thomas Beauchamp 12th Earl Warwick (age 59) and Margaret Ferrers Countess Warwick (age 50). They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Beauchamp Pageant. [12th October 1399] 3. Here sheweth how this noble lorde [Richard Beauchamp (age 17)] Erle of Warrewik was made Knyghte to the whiche ordre in processe of tyme as shall appere folowyng by his noble actes: he did greet honour & worship.

Note. The scene here depicted is shown as taking place within a groined and canopied recess with tiled floor, flanked by buttresses surmounted by images of St. John Baptist and St. James the Greater within housings. Young Richard, now a boy of 17, is vested in a long gown with jewelled belt, and kneels before King Henry IV. on the eve of whose coronation (12th October 1399) he was made a Knight of the Bath. The King is standing crowned and in his parliament robes, and is placing about the boy's neck his own livery collar of SS. Behind the King, in long robes and wearing jewelled collars, stand several nobles, one of whom has a round cap on his head, while another holds his cap in his hand and has a large purse hanging from his belt. On the King's right hand is the swordbearer, in long gown with jewelled belt and neck-band. Next him is a noble in short girded tunic lined with fur, a jewelled baudric across the body, and long jack boots over his hose, holding in his left hand a round fur cap with rolled rim in which is set an upright jewelled feather. This figure probably represents Richard's father, Thomas Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick.

On 8th April 1402 [his father] Thomas Beauchamp 12th Earl Warwick (age 64) died. His son Richard (age 20) succeeded 13th Earl Warwick. [his wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick (age 16) by marriage Countess Warwick.

On 22nd July 1403 Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 21) was appointed 99th Knight of the Garter by King Henry IV of England (age 36).

Beauchamp Pageant. [22nd July 1403] 8. In this pagent is shewed howe the noble Erle Richard (age 21) was made Knyght of the Garter at that tyme to his greet worship. And after by marciall actes by hym ful notably and knyghtly acheved in his propre persone: did greet honour and worship to the noble ordre of Knyghtes of the Garter. as by the pagentes hereafter folowyng more pleynly is shewed.

Note. This picture of investiture is most interesting for we have a variety of attitude and equipment in the figures. The King's head and crown are much as we see them on coins of the period, and all the figures except two or three wear caps and not helmets. The official buckling on of the Garter is quite in civil costume, in fact the only one of its kind in the picture. There is no suggestion of the accolade or sword stroke on the recipient's shoulder, and the King himself leans on a staff. The attention to detail in this picture is very great, and only poorly rendered by Strutt. The great sword of state is borne sheathed near the King, who himself also wears the Garter. The King's attendants wear richly ornamented cuirasses, but the King's is plain save for the staples to which would be attached a lance rest. The standing neck guards are very clearly shown on several of the figures.

In 1404 [his daughter] Margaret Beauchamp Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford was born to Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 21) and [his wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick (age 18). Coefficient of inbreeding 1.71%.

On 22nd January 1407 [his mother] Margaret Ferrers Countess Warwick (age 60) died.

Beauchamp Pageant. [1408] 9. Here shewes howe good provision made of Englissh clothe and other thynges necessary and licence hadde of the kyng' Erle Richard (age 25) sailed towardes the holy londe and specially to the holy Cite of Jherusalem Where our lorde Jhesu Criste wilfully suffered his bitter passion for the redempcion of al man kynde.

Note. In the foreground of this picture is Earl Richard, habited as a pilgrim and holding his staff, being assisted into a small boat by a rugged shipman, while another is keeping the boat steady with a pole. Behind the Earl are two of his men taking a bale of "Englissh clothe" off the back of its bearer, and in rear of them is a party of armed attendants. In the upper part of the picture Earl Richard is sailing away in a fine two-masted ship, with his arms (Beauchamp quartering Newburgh) upon the extended mainsail. On the crows-nest or fighting top is depicted the Earl's ragged-staff badge, and from above it flies a long pennon or streamer headed by the cross of St. George and adorned with the bear and ragged-staff and five ragged-staves. Over the poop of the vessel is a rich housing or awning.

In 1408 Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 25) went on pilgrimage to the Middle East.

In September 1408 [his daughter] Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset was born to Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 26) and [his wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick (age 22) at Wedgenock, Oxfordshire. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.71%.

On 27th July 1411 Richard Beauchamp 1st Earl of Worcester (age 15) and [his future wife] Isabel Despencer Countess Warwick and Worcester (age 11) were married. She the daughter of Thomas Despencer 1st Earl Gloucester and Constance York Countess Gloucester (age 37). They were half fourth cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 1417 [his daughter] Elizabeth Beauchamp Baroness Latimer was born to Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 34) and [his wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick (age 31). Coefficient of inbreeding 1.71%.

On 28th December 1422 [his wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick (age 36) died. Baron Lisle of Kingston Lisle in Oxfordshire abeyant between her daughters [his daughter] Margaret Beauchamp Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 18), [his daughter] Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 14) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Beauchamp Baroness Latimer (age 5).

Before 1425 Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 42) and Isabel Despencer Countess Warwick and Worcester (age 24) were married. She by marriage Countess Warwick. She the daughter of Thomas Despencer 1st Earl Gloucester and Constance York Countess Gloucester. He the son of Thomas Beauchamp 12th Earl Warwick and Margaret Ferrers Countess Warwick. They were third cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 21st March 1425 [his son] Henry Beauchamp 1st Duke Warwick was born to Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 43) and [his wife] Isabel Despencer Countess Warwick and Worcester (age 24) at Hanley Castle, Worcestershire. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England.

On 6th September 1425 [his son-in-law] John "Old Talbot" Talbot 1st Earl of Shrewsbury (age 42) and [his daughter] Margaret Beauchamp Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 21) were married. She by marriage Baroness Strange Blackmere, Baroness Talbot. The difference in their ages was 21 years. She the daughter of Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 43) and [his former wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick. They were second cousin twice removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

On 13th July 1426 [his daughter] Anne Beauchamp 16th Countess Warwick was born to Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 44) and [his wife] Isabel Despencer Countess Warwick and Worcester (age 25) at Caversham Castle [Map]. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Before 9th September 1427 [his son-in-law] Thomas Ros 8th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 19) and [his daughter] Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 19) were married. She by marriage Baroness Ros Helmsley. She the daughter of Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 45) and [his former wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Chronicle of Gregory. 11th August 1431. And the same year, the xj day of Auguste, the Earl of Warwyke (age 49), the Earl of Stafforde (age 28), slowe and toke a grete nombyr of pepylle be-syde Bevys; and ther was take on Potyn and a scheparde that was namyd le Bergere, and he namyd him sylfe hooly and a saynte, for the Fraynysche men hadde a be-leve on him that yf he hadde layde his honde on a castelle walle that it shulde have fallyn downe by the power of his holynys.

In or before 1432 [his son-in-law] Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset (age 25) and [his daughter] Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 23) were married. She the daughter of Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 49) and [his former wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick. He the son of John Beaufort 1st Marquess Somerset and Dorset and Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence (age 46). They were third cousin once removed. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

In 1433 prisoners Jean Poton Xaintrailles (age 43) and [his son-in-law] John "Old Talbot" Talbot 1st Earl of Shrewsbury (age 50) were exchanged. John Talbot had been captured at the Battle of Patay. Xaintrailles had been captued by the Earl of Warwick (age 50) in a skirmish at Savignies near Beauvais in 1431.

In 1434 [his son] Henry Beauchamp 1st Duke Warwick (age 8) and [his daughter-in-law] Cecily Neville Duchess Warwick (age 10) were married at Titchfield Abbey, Hampshire [Map]. A Marriage of Two Sets of Siblings. His sister [his daughter] Anne Beauchamp 16th Countess Warwick (age 7) would marry her brother [his future son-in-law] Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 5) two years later. She the daughter of Richard Neville Earl Salisbury (age 34) and Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury (age 27). He the son of Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 51) and [his wife] Isabel Despencer Countess Warwick and Worcester (age 33). They were third cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 1436 [his son-in-law] Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 7) and [his daughter] Anne Beauchamp 16th Countess Warwick (age 9) were married. A Marriage of Two Sets of Siblings. His sister [his daughter-in-law] Cecily Neville Duchess Warwick (age 12) had previously married her brother [his son] Henry Beauchamp 1st Duke Warwick (age 10). She the daughter of Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 53) and [his wife] Isabel Despencer Countess Warwick and Worcester (age 35). He the son of Richard Neville Earl Salisbury (age 36) and Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury (age 29). They were third cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Effigy of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick. There are other items of agreement for painting the walls with devices and "imagery," and painting and gilding images of certain Saints. The Beauchamp chapel [Map] and tomb were commenced in 1442, and finished in 1465, at the expense of nearly two thousand five hundred pounds. Of the beautiful figure of Beauchamp (age 53) Mr. Stothard executed four drawings, three of which he etched himself, with a spirit truly worthy of so fine a subject. He ascertained that the ponderous figure of latten or bronze which lay upon the altar-tomb was loose, and with considerable effort succeeded in turning it over, when the armour at the back was found as carefully and accurately represented as in the front, showing all the parts of a suit, its straps and fastenings, with instructive minuteness. This view of the figure about the shoulders is particularly fine, and must be of the the highest value to the historical painter, for its boldness and truth.

In 1436 Edward Neville 1st Baron Abergavenny (age 23) and [his step-daughter] Elizabeth Beauchamp 3rd Baroness Bergavenny (age 20) were married. He by marriage Baron Abergavenny. She the daughter of Richard Beauchamp 1st Earl of Worcester and [his wife] Isabel Despencer Countess Warwick and Worcester (age 35). He the son of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 57). They were second cousin once removed. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 1437 [his son-in-law] George Neville 1st Baron Latimer of Snape (age 30) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Beauchamp Baroness Latimer (age 20) were married. She by marriage Baroness Latimer of Snape. She the daughter of Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 54) and [his former wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick. He the son of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 58). They were second cousin once removed. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

Chronicle of Gregory. 29th August 1437. Ande the same year the Erle of Warwyke (age 55) went into Fraunce the xxix day of Auguste; he schippyd at Portysmouthe, and the Duke of Yorke (age 25) come home into Ingelonde out of Fraunce.

Chronicle of Gregory. 30th April 1439. And the laste day of Aprylle deyde the Erle of Warwyke (age 57) at Roone [Map]. Ande the same year the Cardynalle Archebyschoppe of Yorke (age 59), the Byschoppe of Northewyche (age 51), the Byschoppe of Syn Davys and many othyr docters, and the Duke of Northefolke (age 23), the Erle of Stafford (age 36), the lord Bowcer, and the Lord Hungerforde (age 39), with a grete mayny, wente unto Calys; and they hadde the Duke of Orlyaunce (age 44) with them for to trete of pes by twyne Ingelonde and Fraunce. And there mette with them the grete lordys of Fraunce, that is to wyte, of spyrytualle and temporalle, the Archebyschoppe of Raynys (age 59), whythe many moo byschoppys, the Erle of Wendon (age 63), a the Bastarde of Orlyaunce (age 36), and many othyr lordys of Fraunce; and thedyr come the Byschoppe of Spayne and of Colayne, and many moo othyr dyvers contreys that com fro the Counselle of Basylle.

On 30th April 1439 Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 57) died at Rouen, France [Map]. His son [his son] Henry (age 14) succeeded 14th Earl Warwick. [his daughter-in-law] Cecily Neville Duchess Warwick (age 15) by marriage Countess Warwick.

In the middle of the Beauchamp Chapel [Map] lieth upon a tomb of marble, in full statue, the effigy of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, in armour, all made of fine latten brass, doubly guilt.

At his head there is a swan with a Coronet around its neck; at his right foot a bear muzzled; at his left foot a griffin.

Over the said monument is a hearse of brass, gilt, made designedly to support a covering over the curious repository of the remains of this once great Earl.

Round about his tomb, stand fourteen images of brass, all gilt; under the feet of each of them is a coat of arms. These images are resembling fourteen lords and ladies, called weepers.

At the head of the tomb: Henry Beauchamp, Duke of Warwick, and Lady Cecil, his wife, daughter to Richard Nevil, Earl of Salisbury (age 39).

On the south side:

Richard Nevil, Earl of Salisbury;

[his son-in-law] Edmund Beaufort (age 33), Duke of Somerset;

Humphrey Stafford (age 36), Duke of Buckingham;

[his son-in-law] John Talbot (age 56), Earl of Shrewsbury;

[his son-in-law] Richard Nevil (age 10), Earl of Warwick.

At the foot of the tomb: [his son-in-law] George Nevil (age 32), Lord Lattimer, and [his daughter] Elizabeth (age 22), his wife, daughter to Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick.

On the north side:

Alice (age 32), daughter and heiress to Thomas Montague, Earl of Salisbury, wife to Richard Nevil, Earl of Salisbury;

[his daughter] Eleanor (age 30), daughter to Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, and wife to Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset;

Anne (age 31), daughter to Ralph Nevill, Earl of Westmoreland, wife to Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham;

[his daughter] Margaret (age 35), eldest daughter to Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, wife to John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury;

[his daughter] Anne (age 12), daughter to Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, wife to Richard, Earl of Salisbury.

Besides these there stand round about, his tomb, eighteen lesser images, made of brass and gilt, resembling angels, with this label: Glory and for Praise to God - Mercy to the Dead.

The Inscription about his tomb, engraved in brass, in the uncouth diction and spelling, is as follows:

Preith devoutly for the Sowel whom God assoile of one of the moost worshipful Knightes, in his Dayles of Monhode and Conning. Richard Beauchamp, late Earl of Warrewyk. Lord Despenser of Bergevenny, of mony other grete Lordships; whose Body resteth here under this Tumbe in a ful seire voute of Stone set on the bare rooch, the which visited with longe sikness in the Castel of Roan therinne deceased full cristenty the last day of April, the yer of our Lord God MCCCCXXXIX. He being at that time lieutenant, genal and goverin of the Roialmes of Fraunce, and of the Duchie of Normandie by sufficient authorite of oure Sovaigne Lord the King Harry the sixth, the which body with grete deliberacon and ful worshipful Conduit by see and by lond was brought to Warrewik the iiii day of October the yer aboveseide and was leide with ful solemne exequies in a feir Chest made of Stone in this Church, afore the west dore of this Chapel according to his last Wille and Testament therein to reste, til this Chapel by him devised in his lief were made. At the whuche Chapel founded on the rooche and alle the Membres thereof, his Executors dede fully make and apparaille, by the autorite of his said wille & Testament, and thereafter by the same autorite then dide translate ful worshipfully the seide body into the vout abouesaide; honired be God therefore.

On 27th December 1439 [his former wife] Isabel Despencer Countess Warwick and Worcester (age 39) died. Her son [his son] Henry (age 14) succeeded 6th Baron Burghesh.

Founders and Benefactors of Tewkesbury Abbey. fol. 028v: Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick (d. 1439), second husband of [his former wife] Isabel Despenser, in armour, wears red hat and cape over heraldic surcoat; he brandishes an over-sized unsheathed sword. Six shields (one partly obliterated).

Chronicle of Gregory. Ande thenne the Kyng of Inglonde lette parte his oste to prynces thens on dyversse wayes; that is to saye, on party toke my lord the Duke of Clarens whythe many full worthy lordys whythe hym, and he gate many townys and castellys and strong abbeys. And the Duke of Glouceter toke a nothyr partye of the oste, and whythe him the Erle of Marche, the lord Graye, the lord Clyfforde, Syr Watyr Hongerford, stywarde of the kyngys howse, whythe many othyr knyghtys and squyers; and he gate, or he layde sege to Chyrborowe, xxiiij townys and castellys. And son aftyr Ester he layde sege to the towne of Chyrborowe, and contynowyde unto Mychelmasse, and thenne the towne and the castelle was yolde unto hym. Ande the iij party of the oste the King delyveryde unto the Erle of Warwyke and othyr lordys whythe hym. And they gate many strong townys and castellys and abbeys.