Map showing seats of the Beauchamp family in Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Elmley Castle (held from the Bishops of Worcester[1]) was their origin, pre-1133, and became the caput of their feudal barony of Salwarpe, inherited from Urse d'Abetot,[2] with the hereditary offices of Sheriff of Worcestershire and Constable of Worcester Castle. The senior line moved to Warwick Castle in 1268, when younger brothers of the first Beauchamp Earl of Warwick established junior branches at Powick and Holt, ancient possessions of the family.[3] Alcester and Bletsoe (in Bedfordshire) were later acquired by the Powick branch.[4] The title Baron Beauchamp "of Kidderminster" was acquired by the Holt branch

The titles Baron Beauchamp and Viscount Beauchamp have been created several times throughout English and British history. There is an extant Viscountcy of Beauchamp, held by the Seymour family, Marquesses of Hertford.

Beauchamp family

The name Beauchamp (French "beautiful/fair field"), Latinised to de Bello Campo ("from the beautiful field/fair field"), is born by three of the most ancient Anglo-Norman families which settled in England during the Norman Conquest of 1066: Beauchamp of Worcestershire, of Somerset and of Bedfordshire.[5] The surname was taken from their respective manors in Normandy and there is no evidence of any shared origin between the families of that name seated in those three separate counties. The Bedfordshire branch died out in the male line after only two generations. The heir of the Somerset branch was the powerful Seymour family, whilst the Worcestershire branch achieved the greatest power and prominence as Earls of Warwick.

Barons Beauchamp, first creation ("de Somerset") (1299–1361)

Arms of Beauchamp of Hatch: Vair

(Descendants of the feudal barons of Hatch Beauchamp in Somerset)

The barony was unsuccessfully claimed in 1924 by Ulric Oliver Thynne.

Baron Beauchamp, second creation ("de Warwick") (1350–1360)

Arms of Beauchamp of Elmley Castle, Earls of Warwick: Gules, a fesse between six cross crosslets or

Baron Beauchamp, third creation ("of Bletso") (1363–1380)

Arms of Beauchamp of Bletsoe and Powicke: Gules, a fess between six martlets or

Barons Beauchamp, fourth creation ("of Kidderminster") (1387–1400)

Arms of Beauchamp of Holt: Gules, a fess between six billets or

This was the first barony created by letters patent, by King Richard II in 1387.[6] They were seated at Holt Castle, Worcestershire, a junior branch of the senior Elmley line.

Barons Beauchamp, fifth creation ("of Powick") (1447–1503)

Descended from Walter de Beauchamp (died 1303/6) of Beauchamp's Court, Alcester in Warwickshire and of Beauchamp Court, Powick in Worcestershire, Steward of the Household to King Edward I and younger brother of William de Beauchamp, 9th Earl of Warwick (c.1238-1298), the first of his family to hold that title (inherited from their mother).

Seymour family

Arms of Seymour: Gules, two wings conjoined in lure or

Viscount Beauchamp, first creation ("of Hache") (1536–1552)

The Seymour family inherited the capital manor of Hatch Beauchamp (anciently Hache) due to the marriage of Roger Seymour (d.c.1361) to Cecily Beauchamp (d.1393), the aunt and heiress of John IV de Beauchamp, 3rd Baron Beauchamp (1330-1361),[7] feudal baron of Hatch Beauchamp.

Barons Beauchamp, sixth creation ("of Hache") (1559–1750)

Viscounts Beauchamp, second creation ("of Hache") (1750—)

See Marquess of Hertford for further Viscounts Beauchamp.

Lygon family

Arms of Lygon: Argent, two lions passant double-queued gules

Barons Beauchamp, seventh creation ("of Powyke") (1806–1979)

See Earl Beauchamp for descents.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sanders, I.J. English Baronies: A Study of their Origin and Descent 1086-1327, Oxford, 1960, p.76
  2. ↑ Sanders, pp.75-6
  3. ↑ Inherited from Urse d'Abetot together with the feudal barony of Salwarpe
  4. ↑ "Parishes: Alcester | British History Online".
  5. ↑ Hugh de Beauchamp was the first Norman feudal baron of Bedford and held many manors in Bedfordshire as is recorded in the Domesday Book (Sanders, p.10)
  6. ↑ John Guillim, British Banner Display'd, Vol.2, London, 1755, p.600
  7. ↑ Cookson, Christopher, Hatch Beauchamp Church, section: Historical Note on the Church and its Associations, 1972 Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
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