Henry Somerset, 3rd Duke of Beaufort
|
|
Henry Somerset (March 23 1707 - February 26, 1745/1746) was the elder son of Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort, and Rachel Noel. In 1707, on his birth, he gained the courtesy title of Marquess of Worcester. On his father's death on April 24, 1714 he succeeded him and became 3rd Duke of Beaufort.
On June 28 1729 he married Frances Scudamore, daughter of Sir James Scudamore, 2nd Viscount Scudamore- her first marriage -, who died in 1750, with whom he had no issue. They divorced in 1743/1744.
Because he had no issue, his titles and estates were inherited by his younger brother, Charles Noel.
At the age of 19 he commissioned the construction of what would later become known as the Badminton Chest, an ornate set of drawers made in Florence. The chest was sold in 2004 to a museum in Vienna for over $35 million, making it the most expensive piece of furniture in the world.
| Preceded by: Henry Somerset | Duke of Beaufort | Succeeded by: Charles Noel Somerset |