Biography of Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu 1638-1709

Paternal Family Tree: Montagu

After 1633 and before 24 Dec 1638 [his father] Edward Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu (age 22) and [his mother] Anne Winwood Baroness Montagu (age 18) were married.

On 24 Dec 1638 Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu was born to Edward Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu (age 22) and Anne Winwood Baroness Montagu (age 23).

In or after 1639 [his mother] Anne Winwood Baroness Montagu (age 24) died.

On 15 Jun 1644 [his grandfather] Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 81) died at the Savoy Hospital. His son [his father] Edward Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu (age 27) succeeded 2nd Baron Montagu of Boughton in Northamptonshire. [his mother] Anne Winwood Baroness Montagu by marriage Baroness Montagu of Boughton in Northamptonshire.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Jun 1660. My letters tell me, that Mr. Calamy1 had preached before the King in a surplice (this I heard afterwards to be false); that my Lord, Gen. Monk (age 51), and three more Lords, are made Commissioners for the Treasury2; that my Lord had some great place conferred on him, and they say Master of the Wardrobe3; that the two Dukes [Duke of York and Duke of Gloucester.] do haunt the Park much, and that they were at a play, Madam Epicene,-["Epicene, or the Silent Woman", a comedy, by Ben Jonson.] the other day; that Sir. Ant. Cooper (age 38), Mr. Hollis (age 60), and Mr. Annesly (age 45), & late President of the Council of State, are made Privy Councillors to the King. At night very busy sending Mr. Donne away to London, and wrote to my father for a coat to be made me against I come to London, which I think will not be long. At night Mr. Edward Montagu came on board and staid long up with my Lord. I to bed and about one in the morning,

Note 1. Edmund Calamy, D.D., the celebrated Nonconformist divine, born February, 1600, appointed Chaplain to Charles II., 1660. He refused the bishopric of Lichfield which was offered to him. Died October 29th, 1666.

Note 2. The names of the Commissioners were Sir Edward Hyde (age 51), afterwards Earl of Clarendon, General Monk (age 51), Thomas, Earl of Southampton (age 53), John, Lord Robartes (age 54), Thomas, Lord Colepeper (age 60), Sir Edward Montagu, with Sir Edward Nicholas (age 67) and Sir William Morrice (age 57) as principal Secretaries of State. The patents are dated June 19th, 1660.

Note 3. The duty of the Master of the Wardrobe was to provide "proper furniture for coronations, marriages, and funerals" of the sovereign and royal family, "cloaths of state, beds, hangings, and other necessaries for the houses of foreign ambassadors, cloaths of state for Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Prince of Wales, and ambassadors abroad", as also to provide robes for Ministers of State, Knights of the Garter, &c. The last Master of the Wardrobe was Ralph, Duke of Montague (age 21), who died 1709.

After 18 Jun 1660 Jane Needham (age 15) was courted by many. She, allegedly, had only two lovers: Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 21) and Lawrence Hyde 1st Earl Rochester (age 18).

Pepy's Diary. 18 Jan 1662. Thence to the Wardrobe, and there hearing it would be late before they went to dinner, I went and spent some time in Paul's Churchyard among some books, and then returned thither, and there dined with my Lady and Sir H. Wright (age 25) and his lady, all glad of yesterday's mistake, and after dinner to the office, and then home and wrote letters by the post to my father, and by and by comes Mr. Moore to give me an account how [his brother] Mr. Montagu (age 27) was gone away of a sudden with the fleet, in such haste that he hath left behind some servants, and many things of consequence; and among others, my Lord's commission for Embassador. Whereupon he and I took coach, and to White Hall to my Lord's lodgings, to have spoke with Mr. Ralph Montagu (age 23), his brother (and here we staid talking with Sarah and the old man); but by and by hearing that he was in Covent Garden [Map], we went thither: and at my [his sister] Lady Harvy's (age 23), his sister, I spoke with him, and he tells me that the commission is not left behind. And so I went thence by the same coach (setting down Mr. Moore) home, and after having wrote a letter to my Lord at 12 o'clock at night by post I went to bed.

In 1669 William Russell (age 29) and [his future sister-in-law] Rachel Wriothesley (age 33) were married. She the daughter of Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester and Rachel Massue Countess Southampton. He the son of William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 52) and Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 53).

On 30 Dec 1669 Christopher Monck 2nd Duke Albemarle (age 16) and [his future wife] Elizabeth "Mad Duchess" Cavendish Duchess Albermarle Duchess Montagu (age 15) were married at Whitehall Palace [Map]. She the daughter of Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne (age 39) and Frances Pierrepont Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne (age 39). He the son of George Monck 1st Duke Albemarle (age 61) and Anne Clarges Duchess Albermarle (age 50). He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward IV of England.

In Mar 1672 Antonio Verrio (age 36) travelled to England on the recommendation of Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 33).

In 1673 Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 34) and Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 27) were married. She the wealthy daughter of Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester who had died six years previously. She the daughter of Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester and Elizabeth Leigh Countess Southampton. They were third cousin once removed.

Evelyn's Diary. 11 May 1676. I dined with Mr. Charleton, and went to see Mr. Montague's (age 37) new palace, near Bloomsbury, built by Mr. Hooke (age 40), of our Society, after the French manner.

On 27 Mar 1679 Henry Cavendish (age 20) and [his step-daughter] Elizabeth Percy Duchess Somerset (age 12) were married. She being the sole heiress of Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland she brought an enormous fortune to the marriage. She the daughter of Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland and Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 33). He the son of Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne (age 48) and Frances Pierrepont Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne (age 48).

On 15 Nov 1681 Thomas "Tom of Ten Thousand" Thynne (age 33) and [his step-daughter] Elizabeth Percy Duchess Somerset (age 14) were married. She the daughter of Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland and Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 35).

On 30 May 1682 Charles Seymour 6th Duke Somerset (age 19) and [his step-daughter] Elizabeth Percy Duchess Somerset (age 15) were married. His first marriage, her third having been widowed twice by the age of seventeen. She by marriage Duchess Somerset. Being the sole heiress of her father Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland she brought considerable wealth to the marriage. She the daughter of Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland and Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 36). He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

Evelyn's Diary. 10 Oct 1683. Visited the Duchess of Grafton (age 15), not yet brought to bed, and dining with my Lord Chamberlain (her father) (age 65), went with them to see Montague House, a palace lately built by Lord Montague (age 44), who had married the most beautiful [his future wife] Countess of Northumberland (age 29). It is a stately and ample palace. Signor Verrio's (age 47) fresco paintings, especially the funeral pile of Dido, on the staircase, the labors of Hercules, fight with the Centaurs, his effeminacy with Dejanira, and Apotheosis or reception among the gods, on the walls and roof of the great room above,-I think exceeds anything he has yet done, both for design, coloring, and exuberance of invention, comparable to the greatest of the old masters, or what they so celebrate at Rome. In the rest of the chamber are some excellent paintings of Holbein, and other masters. The garden is large, and in good air, but the fronts of the house not answerable to the inside. The court at entry, and wings for offices seem too near the street, and that so very narrow and meanly built, that the corridor is not in proportion to the rest, to hide the court from being overlooked by neighbors; all which might have been prevented, had they placed the house further into the ground, of which there was enough to spare. But on the whole it is a fine palace, built after the French pavilion-way, by Mr. Hooke, the Curator of the Royal Society. There were with us my Lady Scroope, the great wit, and Monsieur Chardine (age 39), the celebrated traveler.

On 10 Jan 1684 [his father] Edward Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu (age 67) died. His son Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 45) succeeded 3rd Baron Montagu of Boughton in Northamptonshire.

In 1690 [his son] John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu was born to Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 51) and [his wife] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 44).

In 1690 [his wife] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 44) died.

On 08 Sep 1692 Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 53) and Elizabeth "Mad Duchess" Cavendish Duchess Albermarle Duchess Montagu (age 38) were married at Newcastle House. She the daughter of Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne who had died the year before and the widow of Christopher Monck 2nd Duke Albemarle. She the daughter of Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne and Frances Pierrepont Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne (age 62).

Evelyn's Diary. 11 Feb 1694. Now was the great trial of the appeal of Lord Bath (age 65) and Lord Montagu (age 55) before the Lords, for the estate of the late Duke of Albemarle.

In Feb 1695 Charles Spencer 3rd Earl of Sunderland (age 19) and [his sister-in-law] Arabella Cavendish (age 21) were married. She the daughter of Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne and Frances Pierrepont Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne (age 64). He the son of Robert Spencer 2nd Earl of Sunderland (age 53) and Anne Digby Countess Sunderland (age 49).

Evelyn's Diary. 18 Jun 1696. The famous trial between my Lord Bath (age 67) and Lord Montague (age 57) for an estate of £11,000 a year, left by the Duke of Albemarle, wherein on several trials had been spent £20,000 between them. The Earl of Bath (age 34) was cast on evident forgery.

On 04 Jun 1698 [his sister-in-law] Arabella Cavendish (age 24) died.

In 1705 [his son] John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 15) and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Churchill Duchess Montagu (age 15) were married. She the daughter of John Churchill 1st Duke Marlborough (age 54) and Sarah Jennings Duchess Marlborough (age 44). He the son of Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 66) and Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland. They were third cousins.

In 1705 Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 66) was created 1st Duke Montagu. [his wife] Elizabeth "Mad Duchess" Cavendish Duchess Albermarle Duchess Montagu (age 50) by marriage Duchess Montagu.

On 09 Mar 1709 Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 70) died. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son [his son] John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 19) succeeded 2nd Duke Montagu, 4th Baron Montagu of Boughton in Northamptonshire. [his daughter-in-law] Mary Churchill Duchess Montagu (age 19) by marriage Duchess Montagu.

Before 11 Sep 1734 [his former wife] Elizabeth "Mad Duchess" Cavendish Duchess Albermarle Duchess Montagu (age 80) died. On 11 Sep 1734 she was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map].

Grammont. Jermyn, without paying the least attention to his ill-humour, pursued his point, continued talking to Lady Shrewsbury, and did not leave her until the repast was ended.

He went to bed, proud of this triumph, and was waked next morning by a challenge: he took, for his second, Giles Rawlings, a man of intrigue, and a deep player. Howard took Dillon, who was dexterous and brave, much of a gentleman, and, unfortunately, an intimate friend to Rawlings.

In this duel fortune did not side with the votaries of love: poor Rawlings was left stone dead; and Jermyn, having received three wounds, was carried to his uncle's, with very little signs of life.

While the report of this event engaged the courtiers according to their several interests, the Chevalier de Grammont was informed by Jones, his friend, his confidant, and his rival, that there was another gentleman very attentive to Mrs. Middleton. This was Montagu, no very dangerous rival on account of his person, but very much to be feared for his assiduity, the acuteness of his wit, and for some other talents, which are of importance, when a man is once permitted to display them.

[his daughter] Anne Montagu was born to Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu and Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland.

Royal Ancestors of Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu 1638-1709

Kings Wessex: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Son of Malcolm III King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 15 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 16 Grand Son of Louis "Fat" VI King France

Ancestors of Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu 1638-1709

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ladde Montagu 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Montagu 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Dudley

Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Dudley

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

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Roper

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Roper of Well Hall

Great x 2 Grandmother: Helen Roper

GrandFather: Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Harrington

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Alexander Harrington

Great x 2 Grandfather: James Harrington

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Moton of Peckleton in Leicestershire

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Moton

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harrington

Great x 4 Grandfather: Nicholas Sidney

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Sidney

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Brandon

Great x 2 Grandmother: Lucy Sidney

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Pakenham

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Pakenham

Father: Edward Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Cotton

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Cotton

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Knightley

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Cotton

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Cotton

GrandMother: Frances Cotton 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Shirley 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Shirley 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Willoughby 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Shirley 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Shirley 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Giffard

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Giffard

Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Giffard

Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

GrandFather: Ralph Winwood

Mother: Anne Winwood Baroness Montagu