CHAPTER III 



The First Duke — The Founder of 

 Badminton 



HENRY, afterwards first Duke of Beaufort, 

 was the son of Edward Somerset, second 

 Marquis, known by the Parliamentarians as Lord 

 Herbert, by his first wife, EHzabeth, daughter of 

 Sir William Dormer. Henry Somerset was born 

 in 1629, and the early years of his life were passed 

 at Raglan Castle. Of his father he probably saw 

 but little, for at that time the former was deeply 

 immersed in his studies and inventions, in conjunc- 

 tion with his assistant, "the unparalleled workman 

 both for trust and skill," Caspar Kaltoff. Henry 

 lost his mother when he was about seven years of 

 age, and his father marrying again, he was sent 

 abroad, and his education was probably entrusted 

 to the Jesuits. He did not return to England till 

 he was sixteen years of age. 



Among the lesser historical figures of his time, 

 Henry Somerset is one of the most interesting, as 

 well as difficult to understand. His career is well 

 worthy of study. The motives that actuated him 

 at momentous crises are not apparent, but one 



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