Swynford, Catherine (c. 1350–1403)
Swynford, Catherine (c. 1350–1403)
Duchess of Lancaster. Name variations: Katherine Rouet; Catherine de Ruet or Catherine de Roet; Katherine Swynford. Born c. 1350; died May 10, 1403; interred at Lincoln Cathedral; dau. of Sir Payne Roelt (a knight from Hainault, France, who arrived in England with the train of Edward III's queen Philippa of Hainault); sister of Philippa Rouet who m. Geoffrey Chaucer (the poet); m. Sir Hugh Swynford of Lincolnshire (d. 1372), c. 1367; was mistress, as of 1388, before becoming 3rd wife of John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, Jan 13, 1396; children: (1st m.) Thomas (c. 1368–1433, friend and companion of Henry IV and supposed murderer of Richard II); Blanche Swynford (b. around 1370); (2nd m.) 4, all of whom were born before the marriage but were declared legitimate in 1396 and 1397: John Beaufort (c. 1373–1410), earl of Somerset; Henry (1375–1447); Cardinal Beaufort (b. around 1375); Thomas (c. 1377–1426), earl of Dorset and chancellor of England; Joan Beaufort (c. 1379–1440).
Catherine Swynford's children took the name Beaufort from one of her husband's castles in Anjou.