The Beaufort children were declared legitimate twice by parliament, first during the reign of King Richard II, in 1397,[1] which was confirmed by Henry IV, as well as by Pope Boniface IX in September 1396.

[6] Between May and September 1390, Beaufort saw military service in North Africa in the Barbary Crusade led by Louis II, Duke of Bourbon.

[8] John was created Earl of Somerset on 10 February 1397,[2][9] just a few days after the legitimation of the Beaufort children was recognised by Parliament.

The same month, he was also appointed Admiral of the Irish fleet, as well as Constable of Dover Castle and Warden of the Cinque Ports.

After Richard II was deposed by Henry Bolingbroke in 1399, the new king rescinded the titles that had been given to the counter-appellants, and thus John Beaufort became merely Earl of Somerset again.