Page "Battle of Wakefield" Paragraph 3

Richard of York was not only the wealthiest magnate in the land, but was also descended from King Edward III's third son Lionel of Antwerp and fifth son Edmund of Langley, leading to calls that he be recognised as successor to the childless King Henry.

His rival, Somerset, belonged to the Beaufort family who, like Henry, were descended from John of Gaunt, Edward III's fourth son, though by his former mistress, Katherine Swynford.

Although the Beauforts were supposedly barred from succeeding to the crown by the Act of Parliament which made the children of Gaunt and Katherine legitimate after their marriage, their line eventually produced King Henry VII and the Tudor dynasty.