Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort

Who was Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort?

Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort KG was the only son of Charles Noel Somerset, 4th Duke of Beaufort and his wife, Elizabeth Berkeley. Styled Marquess of Worcester from 1746, at his father's death on 28 October 1756, he succeeded him as 5th Duke of Beaufort, 7th Marquess of Worcester, 11th Earl of Worcester, and 13th Baron Herbert.

He matriculated at Oriel College, Oxford, on 18 October 1760, and graduated on 7 July 1763 with a Doctor of Civil Laws degree.

He held the office of Grand Master of the Freemasons between 1767 and 1772. From 1768 to 1770, he was Master of the Horse to the Queen Consort. He was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Monmouthshire in 1771 and Lord-Lieutenant of Brecknockshire in 1787, holding both offices until his death in 1803, as well as that of Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire from 1787 to 1799. He was invested as a Knight of the Order of the Garter on 2 June 1786. His last will was dated from 21 June 1789 to 11 September 1800. On 4 June 1803, shortly before his death, he succeeded to the title of 5th Lord Botetourt.

On 2 January 1766 he married Elizabeth Boscawen, daughter of Hon. Edward Boscawen, Admiral of the Blue, and sister to George Boscawen, 3rd Viscount Falmouth. With her he had nine sons and four daughters: