Biography of Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond 1622-1685

Paternal Family Tree: Villiers

Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Stumpe

1628 Murder of the Duke of Buckingham

1642 Battle of Edge Hill

1644 Battle of Cheriton

On 05 Jan 1617 [her father] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 24) was created 1st Earl Buckingham by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 50); his favourite.

In 1618 [her father] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 25) was created 1st Marquess of Buckingham.

On 16 May 1620 [her father] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 27) and [her mother] Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham (age 18) were married. She by marriage Countess Buckingham. She the daughter of Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland (age 42) and Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill. He the son of George Villiers of Brokesby and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham (age 50).

In 1622 Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond was born to George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 29) and Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham (age 19).

On 18 May 1623 [her father] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 30) was created 1st Duke of Buckingham by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 56) for being his favourite; what favourite means is open to debate. [her mother] Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham (age 21) by marriage Duchess of Buckingham.

On 30 Jul 1624 Esmé Stewart 3rd Duke Lennox (age 45) died. His son [her future husband] James Stewart 4th Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond (age 12) succeeded 4th Duke Lennox, 2nd Earl March.

Murder of the Duke of Buckingham

On 23 Aug 1628 [her father] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 35) was murdered at Greyhound Pub, Portsmouth by a disgruntled soldier John Felton (age 33). He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son [her brother] George Villiers 2nd Duke of Buckingham succeeded 2nd Duke of Buckingham, 2nd Marquess of Buckingham, 2nd Earl Buckingham.

Felton was considered a hero by many who blamed Buckingham for the failures of the 1625 Cádiz Expedition and 1627 Siege of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. Felton was subsequently hanged.

On 08 Jan 1634 Charles Herbert (age 15) and Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond (age 12) were married. The marriage was short-lived with his dying a year later. She re-married in Aug 1637 to James Stewart 4th Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond (age 21). She the daughter of George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham and Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham (age 31). He the son of Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery (age 49) and Susan Vere Countess Montgomery.

In 1635 [her step-father] Randall MacDonnell 1st Marquess Antrim (age 25) and [her mother] Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham (age 32) were married. She the daughter of Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland and Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill. He the son of Randal "Arranach" Macdonnell 1st Earl Antrim and Alice O'Neill Countess Antrim.

In Jan 1635 [her husband] Charles Herbert (age 16) died in Florence, Italy.

On 03 Aug 1637 James Stewart 4th Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond (age 25) and Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond (age 15) were married. She by marriage Duchess Lennox. She the daughter of George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham and Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham (age 35). He the son of Esmé Stewart 3rd Duke Lennox and Katherine Clifton Duchess Lennox (age 45).

Before 17 Sep 1637 [her mother-in-law] Katherine Clifton Duchess Lennox (age 45) died. She was buried on 17 Sep 1637. Her son [her husband] James Stewart 4th Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond (age 25) succeeded 3rd Baron Clifton of Leighton Bromswold in Huntingdonshire.

In May 1638 [her brother-in-law] George Stewart 9th Seigneur D'Aubigny (age 19) and Catherine Howard Countess Newburgh were married. They married in secret against the wishes of King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 37). She the daughter of Theophilus Howard 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 55) and Elizabeth Home Countess Suffolk. He the son of Esmé Stewart 3rd Duke Lennox and Katherine Clifton Duchess Lennox.

In 1641 [her husband] James Stewart 4th Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond (age 28) was created 1st Duke Richmond by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 40). Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond (age 19) by marriage Duchess Richmond.

On 23 Oct 1642 [her brother-in-law] Cardinal Ludovic Stewart 10th Lord Aubigny (age 23) succeeded 10th Lord Aubigny.

Battle of Edge Hill

On 23 Oct 1642 the Battle of Edge Hill was fought at Edge Hill [Map]. The Royal army was commanded by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 41) (with his son King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 12) present), Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland (age 22) and Richard Spencer (age 49) commanded the army that included Maurice Palatinate Simmern (age 21), Richard Byron 2nd Baron Byron (age 36), Lucius Carey 2nd Viscount Falkland (age 32), Charles Cavendish (age 22), Henry Newton aka Puckering 3rd Baronet (age 24), Spencer Compton 2nd Earl of Northampton (age 41), Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet (age 30), John Byron 1st Baron Byron (age 43) and William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh (age 55).

[her brother-in-law] George Stewart 9th Seigneur D'Aubigny (age 24) was killed.

Of the Parliamentary army Basil Feilding 2nd Earl Denbigh (age 34) and Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex (age 51). Oliver St John 5th Baron St John (age 39) was wounded.

Samuel Sandys (age 27) commanded a troop of horse.

Richard Sandys (age 26) was killed.

Thomas Strickland (age 20) was knighted on the field for his gallantry.

Henry Hunloke 1st Baronet (age 24) was knighted by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 41).

William Dugdale (age 37) witnessed the battle and subsequently surveyed the battlefield.

John Hinton (age 38) was present.

Edward Verney (age 52) was killed.

John Assheton (age 29) was killed.

Robert Bertie 1st Earl Lindsey (age 59) was killed. His son Montagu Bertie 2nd Earl Lindsey (age 34) succeeded 2nd Earl Lindsey, 15th Baron Willoughby de Eresby. Martha Cockayne Countess Lindsey and Holderness by marriage Countess Lindsey.

William Pennyman 1st Baronet (age 35) commanded a regiment, of which he served as Colonel, which he led for the King.

Edward Stradling 2nd Baronet (age 42) fought for the King, was captured imprisoned for seven months, and died a month after his release.

Battle of Cheriton

On 29 Mar 1644 [her brother-in-law] John Stewart (age 22) was killed during the Battle of Cheriton fighting for the Royalists.

In 1649 [her son] Esmé Stewart 2nd Duke Richmond 5th Duke Lennox was born to [her husband] James Stewart 4th Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond (age 36) and Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond (age 27).

In 1649 [her mother] Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham (age 46) died. Her son [her brother] George Villiers 2nd Duke of Buckingham (age 20) succeeded 19th Baron Ros Helmsley

On 10 Jul 1651 [her daughter] Mary Stewart Countess Arran was born to [her husband] James Stewart 4th Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond (age 39) and Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond (age 29).

On 28 Apr 1653 [her brother-in-law] James Hamilton (age 18) and Catherine Lenthall were married. He the son of James Hamilton 2nd Earl Abercorn (age 49) and Katherine Clifton Duchess Lennox.

In 1654 George Downing 1st Baronet (age 29) and [her future sister-in-law] Frances Howard Lady Downing (age 21) were married.

In 1660 John Lawson 1st Baronet (age 33) and [her future sister-in-law] Catherine Howard Lady Lawson (age 23) were married.

In Nov 1664 Captain Thomas Howard (age 33) and Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond (age 42) were married. She the daughter of George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham and Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham.

On 04 Sep 1665 [her sister-in-law] Elizabeth Howard (age 32) died.

On 11 Nov 1665 [her former brother-in-law] Cardinal Ludovic Stewart 10th Lord Aubigny (age 46) died.

In Apr 1667 [her former brother-in-law] James Herbert (age 44) died.

Pepy's Diary. 12 Jul 1667. And so Sir H. Cholmly (age 34) tells me they did all argue for peace, and so he do believe that the King (age 37) hath agreed to the three points Mr. Coventry (age 39) brought over, which I have mentioned before, and is gone with them back. He tells me further that the [her brother] Duke of Buckingham (age 39) was before the Council the other day, and there did carry it very submissively and pleasingly to the King (age 37); but to my Lord Arlington (age 49), who do prosecute the business, he was most bitter and sharp, and very slighting. As to the letter about his employing a man to cast the King's nativity, says he to the King (age 37), "Sir", says he, "this is none of my hand, and I refer it to your Majesty whether you do not know this hand". the King (age 37) answered, that it was indeed none of his, and that he knew whose it was, but could not recall it presently. "Why", says he, "it is my sister of Richmond's (age 45), some frolick or other of hers of some certain person; and there is nothing of the King's name in it, but it is only said to be his by supposition, as is said". the King (age 37), it seems, seemed not very much displeased with what the Duke (age 39) had said; but, however, he is still in the Tower, and no discourse of his being out in haste, though my Baroness Castlemayne (age 26) hath so far solicited for him that the King (age 37) and she are quite fallen out: he comes not to her, nor hath for some three or four days; and parted with very foul words, the King (age 37) calling her a whore, and a jade that meddled with things she had nothing to do with at all: and she calling him fool; and told him if he was not a fool, he would not suffer his businesses to be carried on by fellows that did not understand them, and cause his best subjects, and those best able to serve him, to be imprisoned; meaning the Duke of Buckingham (age 39).

Around 04 Jul 1668 [her sister-in-law] Catherine Howard Lady Lawson (age 31) died.

Before 1670 [her former brother-in-law] William Hamilton died.

Before 1670 [her former brother-in-law] James Hamilton (age 35) died.

In Jul 1678 [her husband] Captain Thomas Howard (age 47) died.

In Nov 1685 Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond (age 63) died.

Thomas Gower 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Howard were married. The difference in their ages was 28 years.

Survey London Volume 4 Chelsea Part II. Cecil does not seem to have carried out his larger schemes and he sold the house to Henry Clinton, second Earl of Lincoln, in 1599.

Lincoln settled the estate on Sir Arthur Gorges, who had married his daughter. He lived in the house just mentioned, adjoining the great house, built for him by his father-in-law, and some four years after the latter's death in 1615, he sold Sir Thomas More's house to Lionel Cranfield, Earl of Middlesex. [See Close Roll, 18 Jas. I., pt. 18.] The new owner purchased several additions to the property, including "Brick Barn Close" and "The Sandhills," both north of the King's Road. These he converted into the Park, which is shown in Kip's view and was not built upon until after 1717. Cranfield fell under the displeasure of the King, and in consequence forfeited his property, which Charles I. granted in 1627 to [her father] George Villiers, [her brother] Duke of Buckingham. After the Duke's assassination, the family continued to reside here until the outbreak of the Civil War, when the house was seized by the Parliament, and Mr. Randall Davies has referred to the record in the Perfect Occurrences of the petition in 1646 of the Duchess of Lennox, Buckingham's daughter, for leave to come to London, or to her house in Chelsea, to be under Dr. Mayerne's hands for her health. The great physician was then living at Lindsey House, the old farmhouse belonging to the estate.

Royal Ancestors of Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond 1622-1685

Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of William "Lion" I King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of Philip "The Fair" IV King France

Ancestors of Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond 1622-1685

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Villiers

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Villiers

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Villiers

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Villiers of Brooksby Leicestershire

GrandFather: George Villiers of Brokesby

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Clarke

Great x 1 Grandmother: Collette Clarke

Father: George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Beaumont 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: George Beaumont 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Darcy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Beaumont 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: George Pauncefote

Great x 1 Grandfather: Anthony Beaumont 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bassett 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Bassett 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Bassett 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

GrandMother: Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Armstrong

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Armstrong

Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: George Manners 11th Baron Ros Helmsley 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne St Leger Baroness Ros Helmsley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Paston

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Bridget Heydon

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 4th Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Edith Sandys Baroness

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Neville Countess Rutland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Stafford Countess of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Percy Duchess Buckingham 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

GrandFather: Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Charlton 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Charlton 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Charlton of Apsley Castle in Shropshire 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Fitton

Great x 2 Grandmother: Cecily Fitton

Great x 4 Grandfather: Andrew Brereton

Great x 3 Grandmother: Ellen Brereton

Mother: Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Knyvet 8 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Knyvet 9 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Knyvet of Charlton Wiltshire 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Muriel Howard Viscountess Lisle 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Knyvet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: James Pickering 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Christopher Pickering 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Pickering 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Lewknor

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Lewknor 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Tuchet 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

GrandMother: Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stumpe