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Henry Beaufort

Type Figure Region England Time 1375–1447 Also known as Henry, Bishop of Winchester

An important cleric and statesman of Lancastrian England, son of John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford, and half-brother of Henry IV.…

Timeline

  1. 1375–1400Chichester · SussexSon of John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford, his birth was legitimized in 1397. He became Bishop of Lincoln in 1398, and after his half-brother Henry IV acceded in 1399 he became a close royal kinsman, serving as a bridge between the church and royal power.
  2. 1401–1410Winchester · HampshireHe moved to the bishopric of Winchester in 1404. Serving as Lord Chancellor in 1403–1404, he presided in the Privy Council over the raising of funds for the war in France and the suppression of the revolt in Wales, using diocesan wealth and royal borrowing to support military operations, and took part in suppressing the Lollard heresy and stabilizing the political situation after noble rebellions.
  3. 1410–1447London · EnglandHe again became Lord Chancellor after Henry V acceded in 1413, and was elevated to cardinal in 1426. During the minority of Henry VI from 1422 he shared the regency with the Duke of Gloucester and others, continuing to direct the finance of the war in France and peace negotiations; he died at Winchester on 11 April 1447.

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