Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester

Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (1390 - February 23, 1447) was the fifth son of King Henry IV of England by his first wife, Mary de Bohun.

Related Topics:
1390 - February 23 - 1447 - Henry IV of England - Mary de Bohun

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The place of his birth is unknown, but he was named after his maternal grandfather, Humphrey de Bohun, 7th Earl of Hereford. He was created Duke of Gloucester in 1414, and upon the death of his brother, King Henry V of England in 1422, became regent of the kingdom and protector to his young nephew, King Henry VI. In about 1422 he married Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut and Holland, daughter of William VI. Through this marriage Gloucester assumed the title "Count of Holland, Zeeland and Hainault", and briefly fought to retain these titles when they were contested by Jacqueline's uncle, former husband, and cousin the Duke of Burgundy (see: War of Succession in Holland). The marriage was annulled in 1428, and Jacqueline died (disinherited) in 1436. Meanwhile, Gloucester remarried, his second wife being his former mistress, Eleanor Cobham. In 1441, Eleanor was tried and convicted of practising witchcraft against the king in an attempt to retain power for her husband. She died in prison. There were no surviving children from either of Gloucester's marriages.

Related Topics:
Humphrey de Bohun, 7th Earl of Hereford - 1414 - Henry V of England - 1422 - Regent - Henry VI - Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut and Holland - William VI - Count of Holland - Hainault - War of Succession in Holland - Annulled - 1428 - 1436 - Eleanor Cobham - 1441 - Witchcraft

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Following his wife's conviction, Gloucester himself was arrested on a charge of treason. He died, or was assassinated, at Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, a few days later. His name lives on in "Duke Humfrey's Library", part of the Bodleian Library in Oxford, to which the Duke donated the nucleus of its collection.

Related Topics:
Treason - Bury St Edmunds - Suffolk - Bodleian Library - Oxford

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