Biography of William Russell 1639-1683

Paternal Family Tree: Russell

Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Stumpe

1683 Popish Plot

1683 Rye House Plot

On 11 Jul 1637 [his father] William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 20) and [his mother] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 21) were married. She the daughter of Robert Carr 1st Earl Somerset (age 50) and Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset. He the son of Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 44) and Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 57).

On 29 Sep 1639 William Russell was born to William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 23) and Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 23).

On 09 May 1641 [his grandfather] Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 48) died. His son [his father] William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 24) succeeded 5th Earl Bedford, 5th Baron Russell of Cheneys, 3rd Baron Russell of Thornhaugh. [his mother] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 25) by marriage Countess Bedford.

In 1669 William Russell (age 29) and 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 13 Dec 1671 [his daughter] Anne Russell was born to William Russell (age 32) and [his wife] Rachel Wriothesley (age 35).

In Apr 1672 [his daughter] Anne Russell died.

In Jan 1674 [his daughter] Rachel Russell Duchess Devonshire was born to William Russell (age 34) and [his wife] Rachel Wriothesley (age 38).

On 23 Aug 1676 [his daughter] Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland was born to William Russell (age 36) and [his wife] Rachel Wriothesley (age 40).

On 01 Nov 1680 [his son] Wriothesley Russell 2nd Duke Bedford was born to William Russell (age 41) and [his wife] Rachel Wriothesley (age 44).

Before 1681 Gilbert Soest (age 76). Portrait of William Russell (age 41).

Popish Plot

Evelyn's Diary. 28 Jun 1683. After the Popish Plot, there was now a new and (as they called it) a Protestant Plot discovered, that certain Lords and others should design the assassination of the King (age 53) and the Duke (age 49) as they were to come from Newmarket, with a general rising of the nation, and especially of the city of London, disaffected to the present Government. Upon which were committed to the Tower [Map], the Lord Russell (age 43), eldest son of the [his father] Earl of Bedford (age 66), the Earl of Essex, Mr. Algernon Sidney (age 60), son to the old Earl of Leicester, Mr. Trenchard, Hampden, Lord Howard of Escrick, and others. A proclamation was issued against my Lord Grey, the Duke of Monmouth (age 34), Sir Thomas Armstrong, and one Ferguson, who had escaped beyond sea; of these some were said to be for killing the King (age 53), others for only seizing on him, and persuading him to new counsels, on the pretense of the danger of Popery, should the Duke live to succeed, who was now again admitted to the councils and cabinet secrets. The Lords Essex (age 60) and Russell (age 43) were much deplored, for believing they had any evil intention against the King (age 53), or the Church; some thought they were cunningly drawn in by their enemies for not approving some late counsels and management relating to France, to Popery, to the persecution of the Dissenters, etc. They were discovered by the Lord Howard of Escrick and some false brethren of the club, and the design happily broken; had it taken effect, it would, to all appearance, have exposed the Government to unknown and dangerous events; which God avert!

Evelyn's Diary. 12 Feb 1684. The Earle of Danby (age 51), late Lord Treasurer, together with the Roman Catholic Lords impeach'd of High Treason in the Popish Plot, had now their Habeas Corpus, and came out upon baile, after five yeares imprisonment in the Tower [Map]. Then were also tried and deeply fin'd Mr. Hampden and others for being suppos'd of the late Plot, for which Lord Russell and Col. Sidney suffer'd; as also the person who went about to prove that the Earle of Essex had his throat cut in the Tower by others; likewise Mr. Johnson, the author of that famous piece called Julian.

Evelyn's Diary. 13 Jul 1683. The fatal news coming to Hicks's Hall upon the article of my Lord Russell's (age 43) trial, was said to have had no little influence on the Jury and all the Bench to his prejudice. Others said that he had himself on some occasions hinted that in case he should be in danger of having his life taken from him by any public misfortune, those who thirsted for his estate should miss of their aim; and that he should speak favorably of that Earl of Northumberland, and some others, who made away with themselves; but these are discourses so unlike his sober and prudent conversation that I have no inclination to credit them. What might instigate him to this devilish act, I am not able to conjecture. My Lord Clarendon, his brother-in-law, who was with him but the day before, assured me he was then very cheerful, and declared it to be the effect of his innocence and loyalty; and most believe that his Majesty (age 53) had no severe intentions against him, though he was altogether inexorable as to Lord Russell (age 43) and some of the rest. For my part, I believe the crafty and ambitious Earl of Shaftesbury had brought them into some dislike of the present carriage of matters at Court, not with any design of destroying the monarchy (which Shaftesbury had in confidence and for unanswerable reasons told me he would support to his last breath, as having seen and felt the misery of being under mechanic tyranny), but perhaps of setting up some other whom he might govern, and frame to his own platonic fancy, without much regard to the religion established under the hierarchy, for which he had no esteem; but when he perceived those whom he had engaged to rise, fail of his expectations, and the day past, reproaching his accomplices that a second day for an exploit of this nature was never successful, he gave them the slip, and got into Holland, where the fox died, three months before these unhappy Lords and others were discovered or suspected. Every one deplored Essex (age 51) and Russell (age 43), especially the last, as being thought to have been drawn in on pretense only of endeavoring to rescue the King (age 53) from his present councilors, and secure religion from Popery, and the nation from arbitrary government, now so much apprehended; while the rest of those who were fled, especially Ferguson and his gang, had doubtless some bloody design to get up a Commonwealth, and turn all things topsy-turvy. Of the same tragical principles is Sydney.

Rye House Plot

Evelyn's Diary. 13 Jul 1683. As I was visiting Sir Thomas Yarborough and his Lady, in Covent Garden [Map], the astonishing news was brought to us of the Earl of Essex (age 51) having cut his throat, having been but three days a prisoner in the Tower [Map], and this happened on the very day and instant that Lord Russell (age 43) was on his trial, and had sentence of death [See Rye House Plot.]. This accident exceedingly amazed me, my Lord Essex (age 51) being so well known by me to be a person of such sober and religious deportment, so well at his ease, and so much obliged to the King (age 53). It is certain the King (age 53) and Duke (age 49) were at the Tower, and passed by his window about the same time this morning, when my Lord (age 51) asking for a razor, shut himself into a closet, and perpetrated the horrid act. Yet it was wondered by some how it was possible he should do it in the manner he was found, for the wound was so deep and wide, that being cut through the gullet, windpipe, and both the jugulars, it reached to the very vertebræ of the neck, so that the head held to it by a very little skin as it were; the gapping too of the razor, and cutting his own fingers, was a little strange; but more, that having passed the jugulars he should have strength to proceed so far, that an executioner could hardly have done more with an ax. There were odd reflections upon it.

Evelyn's Diary. 21 Jul 1683. Lord Russell (age 43) was beheaded in Lincoln's Inn Fields, the executioner giving him three butcherly strokes. The speech he made, and the paper which he gave the Sheriff of declaring his innocence, the nobleness of the family, the piety and worthiness of the unhappy gentleman, wrought much pity, and occasioned various discourses on the plot.

On 21 Jul 1683 William Russell (age 43) was beheaded by Jack Ketch at Lincoln's Inn for his involvement in the Rye House Plot. The executioner was so inept that he took four axe blows to separate the head from the body. After the first failed blow his victim looked up and said "You dog, did I give you 10 guineas to use me so inhumanely?".

A History of the County of Buckingham: Volume 3: Parishes: Chenies. Lord William Russell (age 43), son of the fifth earl, is perhaps the most interesting figure in connexion with Chenies [Map]. As a member of the country party in the House of Commons he backed the Bill excluding the Duke of York from the throne. Being afterwards implicated in the Rye House Plot he was executed for treason in Lincoln's Inn Fields on 21 July 1683 and has earned for himself the name of 'patriot' or martyr of the Revolution52. He was buried at Chenies and his widow [his wife] Lady Rachel Russell (age 47) visited the church in later years, when she decided to 'make a little monument' and erected the one to the fifth earl (age 66) and his [his mother] wife (age 67) with medallions of their children, conspicuous among which is that of Lord William Russell (age 43), ranged in rows on either side54. Chenies has remained in the Russell family until the present day55, the present Duke of Bedford being lord of the manor, but it is many years since the family ceased to use the old manor-house as a residence.

Note 53. Dict. Nat. Biog.; G.E.C. Complete Peerage.

Note 54. Froude, op. cit. iv, 517.

Note 55. 55. Feet of F. Div. Co. Mich. 8 & 9 Eliz.; Chan. Inq. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccxi, 132; ccccxxxv, 118; Cal. S. P. Dom. 1581-90, p. 380; Acts of P.C. 1601-4, p. 145; Hist.MSS. Com. Rep. xii, App. v, 131; Recov. R. Hil. 11 Jas. I, m. 97; Mich. 14 Jas. I, m. 136; Mich. 6 Geo. II, m. 291; Mich. 1 Geo. III, m. 139; Trin. 49 Geo. III, m. 152; Fine R. 16 Jas. I, pt. i, no. 4; Lysons, Mag. Brit. i (3), 584.

Evelyn's Diary. 23 Nov 1683. The Duke of Monmouth (age 34), till now proclaimed traitor on the pretended plot for which Lord Russell was lately beheaded, came this evening to Whitehall [Map] and rendered himself, on which were various discourses.

Evelyn's Diary. 22 Jun 1684. Last Friday Sir Tho. Armstrong (deceased) was executed at Tyburn [Map] for treason, without tryal, having ben outlaw'd and apprehended in Holland, on the conspiracy of the Duke of Monmouth (age 35), Lord Russell, &c. which gave occasion of discourse to people and lawyers, in reguard it was on an outlawry that judgment was given and execution.

Before 21 Jul 1683. John Riley (age 37). Portrait of William Russell (age 43).

Evelyn's Diary. 02 Aug 1683. The Countesses of [his aunt] Bristol (age 63) and Sunderland (age 37), aunt and cousin-german of the late Lord Russell (deceased), came to visit me, and condole his sad fate. The next day, came [his uncle] Colonel Russell (age 63), uncle to the late Lord Russell (deceased), and brother to the [his father] Earl of Bedford (age 67), and with him Mrs. Middleton (age 38), that famous and indeed incomparable beauty, daughter to my relation, Sir Robert Needham.

Evelyn's Diary. 15 Jul 1685. Monmouth (age 36) was this day brought to London and examin'd before the King (age 51), to whom he made greate submission, acknowledg'd his seduction by Ferguson the Scot (age 48), whom he nam'd ye bloudy villain. He was sent to ye Tower [Map], had an interview with his late Dutchesse (age 34), whom he receiv'd coldly, having liv'd dishonestly with ye Lady Henrietta Wentworth (age 24) for two yeares. He obstinately asserted his conversation with that debauch'd woman to be no in, whereupon, seeing he could not be persuaded to his last breath, the divines who were sent to assist him thought not fit to administer the Holy Communion to him. For ye rest of his faults he profess'd greate sorrow, and so died without any apparent feare; he would not make use of a cap or other circumstance, but lying downe, bid the fellow do his office better than to the late Lord Russell, and gave him gold; but the wretch made five chopps before he had his head off; wch so incens'd the people, that had he not been guarded and got away, they would have torn him to pieces. The Duke (age 36) made no speech on the scaffold (wch was on Tower Hill [Map]) but gave a paper containing not above 5 or 6 lines, for the King (age 51), in which he disclaims all title to ye Crown, acknowledges that the late King, his father, had indeede told him he was but his base sonn, and so desir'd his Ma* to be kind to his wife and children. This relation I had from Dr. Tenison (Rector of St. Martin's) (age 48), who, with the Bishops of Ely (age 47) and Bath and Wells (age 48), were sent to him by his Ma*, and were at the execution.

On 29 Sep 1723 [his former wife] Rachel Wriothesley (age 87) died.

Royal Ancestors of William Russell 1639-1683

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

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

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

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

Kings England: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 12 Grand Son of Robert "The Bruce" I King Scotland

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

Kings France: Great x 12 Grand Son of Philip "Bold" III King France

Royal Descendants of William Russell 1639-1683

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom x 1

Diana Spencer Princess Wales x 2

Ancestors of William Russell 1639-1683

Great x 4 Grandfather: James Russell

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Russell 1st Earl Bedford

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Wise

Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford

Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy Sapcote of Thornhaugh, Bedfordshire

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Sapcote Countess Bedford

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Russell 1st Baron Russell 9 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

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

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

Great x 4 Grandmother: Sybil of Lansgtone Manor

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret St John Countess Bedford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Waldegrave

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Waldegrave 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Wentworth 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

GrandFather: Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford 10 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Long Baroness Russel Thornhaugh

Father: William Russell 1st Duke Bedford 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Giles Brugge 6th Baron Chandos

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Brydges 1st Baron Chandos

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Baynham Baroness Chandos

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edmund Brydges 2nd Baron Chandos 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Grey 9th Baron Grey of Wilton 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Grey Baroness Chandos 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Florence Hastings Baroness Grey Wilton 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Giles Brydges 3rd Baron Chandos 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Bray of Eaton Bray

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Braye 1st Baron Braye

Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Braye Baroness Chandos and Knollys 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Halwell of Halwell in Devon

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Halwell Baroness Bray 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Norbury 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

GrandMother: Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Clinton 7th Baron Clinton 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Clinton 8th Baron Clinton 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Morgan Baroness Clinton 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Clinton 1st Earl Lincoln 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Poynings 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Poynings Baroness Clinton 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Clinton 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Stourton 6th Baron Stourton 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Stourton 7th Baron Stourton 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Ursula Stourton Baroness Clinton 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Dudley 7 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Dudley Baroness Stourton 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Windsor

William Russell 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Andrew Kerr of Ferniehirst

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Kerr 10th of Ferniehirst

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Kerr of Ferniehirst 12 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Kerr of Calverton 9 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Andrew Kerr of Cessford 10 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Ker 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Crichton 2nd Lord Crichton of Sanquhar 9 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Crichton 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Marion Margaret Maxwell 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

GrandFather: Robert Carr 1st Earl Somerset 13 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Mother: Anne Carr Countess of Bedford 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Howard 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Vere Countess of Surrey 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Trussell Countess of Oxford 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Geoffrey Audley

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Audley 1st Baron Audley Walden

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Audley Duchess Norfolk 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Grey Baroness Audley 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset

GrandMother: Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Knyvet 9 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Knyvet of Charlton Wiltshire 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Muriel Howard Viscountess Lisle 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Knyvet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Christopher Pickering 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Pickering 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Lewknor 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stumpe