Henry Scudamore, 3rd Duke of Beaufort

Henry Scudamore, 3rd Duke of Beaufort (March 23 1707 – February 26, 1745 He died at the age of 38.) was born Henry Somerset, the elder son of Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort and his second wife, 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.

At the age of 19 he commissioned the construction of what would later become known as the Badminton Chest (or Badminton Cabinet), an ornate set of drawers made in Florence. The chest was sold in 2004 to Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein for over $35 million, making it the most expensive piece of furniture in the world. It is on display in the Palais Liechtenstein in Vienna, Austria.

On June 28 1729 he married Frances Scudamore (d. 1750), the only daughter and heir of John Scudamore, 2nd Viscount Scudamore and took his wife's name by an Act of Parliament a year later. They divorced in 1743 due to Frances' adulterous relationship with William Talbot, who later became Earl Talbot. Frances was later remarried, to Charles FitzRoy-Scudamore.

The Duke was one of several founding governors of Britain's first institution for abandoned children, the Foundling Hospital, and his name is listed in its royal charter received from George II in October of 1739.

Because he had no issue, his titles and estates were inherited by his younger brother, Charles Noel.
An Illegitimate daughter of the Duke, Margaret Burr, married to the painter Thomas Gainsborough and had issue.

External links

* [http://www.liechtensteinmuseum.at/de/pages/artbase_main.asp?module=browse&action=m_work&lang=de&sid=674706892&oid=W-13122004204020813 the Badminton Cabinet in the Liechtenstein Museum, Vienna]