He was the son of Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick. He became 14th Earl of Warwick on his father's death in 1439. Due largely to his father's distinction rather than his own, in 1444 he was created Duke of Warwick, and given precedence over the Duke of Buckingham. Later that year, however, parliament put Buckingham back ahead.

On his death, the dukedom became extinct, and the earldom was inherited by his two-year old daughter, Anne (February 4, 1443/4 - January 3, 1448/9), suo jure Countess of Warwick. She, however, died three years later, and there was some question regarding who, if any, of her father's sisters (or their heirs) should succeed. In the end the elder sister Anne and her husband Richard Neville were formally created Earl and Countess of Warwick.