Joan Beaufort, Queen of Scotland
| Joan Beaufort | |
|---|---|
Joan Beaufort
|
|
| Queen consort of Scotland | |
| Tenure | 2 February 1424 – 21 February 1437 |
| Born | c. 1404 |
| Died | 15 July 1445 (aged c. 41) Dunbar Castle, East Lothian |
| Burial | Perth Charterhouse |
| Spouse |
James I of Scotland (m. 1424; his death 1437) James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorn (m. 1439; her death 1445) |
| Issue |
Margaret, Dauphine of France Isabella, Duchess of Brittany Eleanor, Archduchess of Austria Mary, Countess of Buchan Joan, Countess of Morton James II of Scotland Alexander, Duke of Rothesay Annabella, Countess of Huntly John, 1st Earl of Atholl James, 1st Earl of Buchan Andrew Stewart, Bishop of Moray |
| House | Beaufort |
| Father | John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset |
| Mother | Margaret Holland |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Joan Beaufort (c. 1404 – 15 July 1445) was the Queen Consort of Scotland from 1424 to 1437 as the spouse of King James I of Scotland. During part of the minority of her son James II (from 1437 to 1439), she served as the Regent of Scotland.
She was a daughter of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset, and Margaret Holland, and a half-niece of King Henry IV of England.James I of Scotland met Joan during his time as a prisoner in England and knew her from at least 1420. She is said to have been the inspiration for James's famous long poem, The Kingis Quair, written during his captivity after he saw her from his window in the garden. However, the marriage was at least partially political as their marriage was part of the agreement for his release from captivity, and from an English perspective an alliance with the Beauforts was meant to establish his country's alliance with the English, rather than the French. Negotiations resulted in Joan's dowry of 10,000 merks being subtracted from his substantial ransom.
On 12 February 1424, Joan Beaufort and King James were wed at St Mary Overie Church in Southwark. They were feasted at Winchester Palace that year by her uncle Cardinal Henry Beaufort. She accompanied her husband on his return from captivity in England to Scotland, and was crowned alongside her husband at Scone Abbey. As queen, she often pleaded with the king for those who might be executed.
The royal couple had eight children, including the future James II, and Margaret of Scotland, spouse of Louis XI of France.
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