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BlazonShield: Quarterly, 1 & 4, Azure three Fleurs-de-lis Or (France); 2 & 3, Gules three Lions passant guardant in pale Or (England). Overall a bendlet sinister Argent, all within a bordure compony Argent and Azure, and overall an inescutcheon per pale Azure and Gules, three lions rampant Argent (Herbert). |
Charles Somerset (c.1460-1526) was the illegitimate son of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset, a descendent of Edward III. He became Lord of Gower in right of his wife after marrying Elizabeth, heiress of the Herbert Lords of Gower.
The first earl's arms are those of the Beauforts, differenced by a bendlet sinister and with an inescutcheon in pretence of his wife's arms.
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BlazonMarquesses of Worcester Shield: Quarterly, 1 & 4, Or, a fess bordured compony Argent and Azure and quartered 1 & 4 Azure three Fleurs-de-lis Or (France); 2 & 3, Gules three Lions passant guardant in pale Or (England); 2. Per pale Azure and Gules, three lions rampant Argent (Herbert), 3. Argent a fess and canton conjoined Gules (Woodville). Crest: a Panther statant guardant Argent flames issuing from his mouth and ears proper plain collared and chained Or and semé of Torteaux, Hurts and Pommes alternately; Supporters: Dexter: a Panther Argent flames issuing from his mouth and ears proper plain collared and chained Or and semé of Torteaux, Hurts and Pommes alternately; Sinister: a Wyvern with wings endorsed Vert holding in the mouth a Sinister Hand couped at the wrist Gules Motto: Mutare Vel Timere Sperno (I scorn to change or to fear) |
Subsequent earls and marquesses of Worcester differenced their Beaufort arms differently from the first earl, by placing the Beaufort arms on a fess on a gold field. These were quartered with the arms of Herbert, from where they acquired the Gower lordship, and of the Woodvilles : the second earl's grandmother was Mary Woodville, sister of Edward IV's queen, Elizabeth Woodville.
Although no longer Marcher Lords after 1536, the Somersets remained nominal lords of Gower and continued to be major landowners in the area into modern times. The fifth earl was raised to the rank of Marquess of Worcester in 1642, and his grandson, the third marquess, was created Duke of Beaufort forty years later.
Supporters varied slightly before settling down to the spotted panther and green wyvern. These came from the arms of the Herberts.
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BlazonDukes of Beaufort Shield: Quarterly, 1 & 4, Azure three Fleurs-de-lis Or (France); 2 & 3, Gules three Lions passant guardant in pale Or (England), all within a bordure compony Argent and Azure Crest: A Portcullis Or nailed Azure and chained Gold Supporters: Dexter: a Panther Argent flames issuing from his mouth and ears proper plain collared and chained Or and semé of Torteaux, Hurts and Pommes alternately; Sinister: a Wyvern with wings endorsed Vert holding in the mouth a Sinister Hand couped at the wrist Gules Motto: Mutare Vel Timere Sperno (I scorn to change or to fear) |
The dukes of Beaufort reverted to the arms of their ancestors, the Beaufort dukes of Somerset, dispensing with the sign of illegitimacy and with the Herbert and Woodville arms. They also reverted to the Beaufort portcullis as a crest, but kept the Herbert supporters.
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| Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester, with his arms (without his wife's inescutcheon). |
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| The Duke of Beaufort's arms on a pub sign - the Beaufort in Norton. The shield is encircled by the Garter. |
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| The Duke of Beaufort's arms over the inner door of the Beaufort pub in Norton. |
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| The Duke of Beaufort's arms in Swansea Guildhall. |
