Joan was also a half-niece of King Henry IV of England, first cousin once removed of Richard II, and great-granddaughter of Edward III.

[7] She is said to have been the inspiration for King James's famous allegorical romantic poem, The Kingis Quair,[8] written during his captivity, after he saw her from his window in the garden.

[13] On 12 February 1424, Joan Beaufort and King James were wed at St Mary Overie Church in Southwark.

[7] She also remained in contact with her English family, with her brothers and uncles visiting Joan and her husband ahead of formal embassies.

[17] Joan successfully directed her husband's supporters to attack his assassin Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl, but was forced to give up power three months later.

[4] In July 1439, she married James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorne, after obtaining a papal dispensation for both consanguinity and affinity.