Katherine Swynford

 One of the most beautiful medieval love stories of all time 

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Katherine Swynford was born around 1350 in Hainault, daughter of a knight and herald, Paun de Roet. Her mother is unknown.

She was the youngest child. Her older sister, Philippa, married Geoffrey Chauser, the Canterbury tales author.

Katherine joined her sister at Edward's III court around 1360, where she met her first husband, a knight, Sir Hugh Swynford.

Hugh worked for John Gaunt ,the Duke of Lancaster and the third son of the King.

The duke was married to Blanche , his first wife, a rich heiress . Katherine started working for the Lancaster household and she and John fell in love and, given the difference in social status, class and all the difficulties they encountered, this is one of the most romantic historical love stories of all times.

Katherine and Hugh had 3 children, before she became a widow. Their daughter, named also Blanche, after John's wife, was raised alongside John's daughters, Philippa and Elizabeth.

After Blanche died , Katherine and John became romantically involved. They had four children together, but John had to remarry again for political and dynastic reasons with Constance of Castile.

All this time, Katherine's reputation had been ruined by her being a mistress for most of her life , so after Constance died , John officially married her and acknowledged/ legitimate all their children. Katherine died being the Duchess of Lancaster and their children and descendants would form the Beaufort family.

The Tudors based their claim to the throne on this particular connection, through Margaret Beaufort.