Complex sentence: Shortly after the king's marriage to Jane, Edward was elevated to Viscount Beauchamp; less than a year and a half later, in October 1537, he was again elevated, from viscount to earl, becoming the first Earl of Hertford (first creation).
Split into simpler sentences: Shortly after the king's marriage to Jane, Edward was elevated to the peerage as Viscount Beauchamp. Less than a year and a half later, in October 1537, he was again elevated, from viscount to earl, becoming the first Earl of Hertford (first creation).