Joan Beaufort, Countess of Westmorland

Joan Beaufort, Countess of Westmorland (* 1379, † November 13, 1440 ), was the fourth child and only daughter of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his mistress, Catherine Swynford. In 1397 it was legitimized at the request of her father by Parliament, shortly after she was awarded the Order of the Garter.

She married her first husband Robert De Ferrers, 3rd Baron Ferrers of Wemme, with whom she had two daughters:

  • Elizabeth (1393-1434), ∞ John Baron Greystoke, 12 children ( their descendants now live in the U.S.)
  • Mary ( 1394-1457/58 ), ∞ Ralph Neville, son of Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland

After the death of her husband and their legitimacy in 1397, she married Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland. With him she had the following children:

  • Katherine Neville;
  • Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury
  • Eleanor Neville; ∞ Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland
  • Robert Neville ( † 1457 ), Bishop of Durham
  • William Neville, 1st Earl of Kent
  • Edward Neville, 1st Lord Abergavenny
  • Anne Neville, 1st Duchess of Buckingham; ∞ Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham
  • Cecily Neville (1415-1495); ∞ Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, mother of the later English kings Edward IV and Richard III.
  • George Neville, 1st Lord Latimer
  • John Neville died as a child
  • Cuthbert Neville, died as a child
  • Thomas Neville, died as a child
  • Henry Neville, died as a child
  • Joan Neville, a nun

Ralph Neville left behind after his death in 1425 his entire fortune to his widow, which led to an estrangement between Joan and her stepchildren. When Joan died on 13 November 1440 the rich Neville assets were divided among their children. Joan herself was buried next to her mother in a magnificent tomb in the Cathedral of Lincoln.

Katherine Swynford Ralph de Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland Cecily Neville, Duchess of York Lincoln Cathedral
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