Margaret Baroness Beauchamp (c1409 – 1482) gifted Lydiard to her second son Oliver St. John, and through her second marriage to John Beaufort 1st Duke of Somerset, provided the St. Johns with a blood link to the royal Tudor dynasty.
Inner panel of the St. John polyptych showing Margaret’s descendants, the royal Tudor dynasty.
Margaret is celebrated in he extraordinary St. John family polyptych in St. Mary’s Church, Lydiard Tregoze; her portrait is awarded pride of place, befitting the grandmother of King Henry VII.
Historian Sonia St. John traces Margaret’s remarkable vocation and achievements, not least her ensuring that all her children were well placed to survive and prosper during the War of the Roses.
Sonia St. John
Sonia’s talk, which will include a surprise ‘unveiling’, will be followed by delicious afternoon tea.