Henry Beaufort

Henry Beaufort
Cardinal, Bishop of Winchester
1856 painting by Paul Delaroche showing Beaufort interrogating Joan of Arc in prison
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ProvinceCanterbury
DioceseWinchester
Installed1404
Term ended1447
PredecessorWilliam of Wykeham
SuccessorWilliam Waynflete
Other post(s)
Previous post(s)
Orders
Consecration14 July 1398
Created cardinal24 May 1426
by Pope Martin V
RankCardinal Priest
Personal details
Bornc. 1375
Died11 April 1447 (aged 7172)
Wolvesey Castle, Winchester,
Kingdom of England
BuriedWinchester Cathedral
DenominationRoman Catholic Church
ParentsJohn of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford
Coat of arms

Henry Beaufort (c. 1375 – 11 April 1447) was an English Catholic prelate and statesman who held the offices of Bishop of Lincoln (1398), Bishop of Winchester (1404) and cardinal (1426). He served three times as Lord Chancellor and played an important role in English politics.

Beaufort was a member of the royal House of Plantagenet, being the second son of the four legitimised children of John of Gaunt (third son of King Edward III) by his mistress (later wife) Katherine Swynford.