Joan Beaufort, Queen of Scotland

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Joan Beaufort (c. 1404 - 15 July 1445), was Queen Consort of the Kingdom of Scotland from 1424 to 1437, being married to James I of Scotland.

She was a daughter of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset and Margaret Holland. Her paternal grandparents were John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and his mistress and later third wife Katherine Swynford. Her maternal grandparents were Thomas Holland, 2nd Earl of Kent and Alice Fitzalan. Alice was a daughter of Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel and Eleanor of Lancaster.

In February 1424, Joan married James I, shortly before he was formally crowned. She and he were feasted at Winchester Palace that year by her uncle Henry Cardinal Beaufort. She is said to have been the inspiration of James's famous long poem, The Kingis Quair. They had eight children, including the future James II, and Margaret of Scotland, wife of Louis XI of France. After James I was assassinated in 1437, she took over the regency for her son.

In 1439 Joan married James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorn (~1383 - >1451). They had three children:

• John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl (c. 1440 - September 12, 1512).
• James Stewart, 1st Earl of Buchan (1442-1499), High Chamberlain of Scotland in 1471 and Scottish Ambassador to France in 1473.
• Andrew Stewart.

Preceded by Anabella Drummond

Queen consort of Scotland 1424 - 1437

Succeeded by Mary of Guelders