Hon John Beaumont

The Honorable John Beaumont was the first commanding officer of ‘Princess Anne of Denmark’s Regiment’ (The King’s Regiment) when it was raised in 1685. His commission was dated 19 June 1685. He was born at Burton, Lincs c1636 the son of Sapcote Beaumont, 2nd Viscount Beaumont of Swords, his mother being Bridgit Monson. He was educated at Market Bosworth and Christ’s College, Cambridge. He was an officer with Charles II in exile. He held court office and was MP for Nottingham in 1685 and for Hastings in 1689. He was also Lieutenant Governor of Dover.
He was one of the Six Portsmouth Captains who refused to accept Catholic Irishmen into the regiment, imposed on them by their Colonel the Duke of Berwick. He was required to stand trial at a court martial and dismissed. But when William of Orange replaced the Catholic King James II, Beaumont was reinstated. He led the regiment in Ireland, taking part in the siege of Carrickfergus, and the battles at Dundalk and the Boyne as well as Limerick and Cork. He also served in Flanders.
In May 1695 he resigned his commission. In that year he was involved in a quarrel in Parliament which resulted in a duel with Sir William Forrester in which both men survived. Beaumont was married twice, to Felicia Fermor and to Philippa Carew. There were no children. Hon John Beaumont died on 3 July 1701.

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