On this Day in History ... 26th December

26 Dec is in December.

1164 Becket's Relatives Banished

1562 Battle of Dreux

1613 Marriage of Robert Carr 1st Earl Somerset and Frances Howard

26 Dec is known as Boxing Day. No-one knows why. Samuel Pepys (age 30) in his entry for 19 Dec 1663 "paid all there, and gave something to the boys' box against Christmas." which may provide an indication of the origin of the term Boxing

See Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Events on the 26th December

In 26 Dec 1164 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 31) banished all of Thomas Becket's (age 45) relatives from England. Around 400 people were affected. They were stripped of their possessions and shipped to Flanders.

On 25 or 26 Dec 1251 Alexander III King Scotland (age 10) and Margaret Queen of Scotland (age 11) were married at York Minster [Map]. She by marriage Queen Consort Scotland. The couple remained in York until Jan 1252 after which they travelled to Edinburgh [Map]. She the daughter of King Henry III of England (age 44) and Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England (age 28). He the son of Alexander II King Scotland and Marie Coucy (age 33). They were half fourth cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

On 26 Dec 1352 John Plantagenet 3rd Earl Kent (age 22) died. He was buried at Greyfriars Church, Winchester [Map]. Earl Kent extinct. His sister Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 24) succeeded 5th Baroness Wake of Liddell. Some source suggest she also succeeded as 4th Countess of Kent but this is inconsistent with 1. her husband being created Earl of Kent as a new creation, and 2. her son not succeeding to the original Earldom?

Henry Machyn's Diary. 26 Dec 1562. The xxvj day of Desember cam tydynges unto the cowrt thatt the prynse of Condutt (age 32) and the duke of Gwys (age 43) mett in the [field,] and that the prynse was taken, and mony [many] taken and slayne, [and many] taken pressonars.

On 26 Dec 1613 Robert Carr 1st Earl Somerset (age 26) and Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset (age 23) were married. She by marriage Countess Somerset. She the daughter of Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 52) and Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 49).

Her marriage with her first husband Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex (age 22) had been annulled on the grounds of his impotence three months before causing something of a scandal.

On 26 Dec 1618 Elisabeth Palatinate Simmern was born to Frederick Palatinate Simmern V Elector Palatine Rhine (age 22) and Princess Elizabeth Stewart Queen Bohemia (age 22). She a granddaughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland.

On 26 Dec 1628 Thomas Cullum 2nd Baronet was born to Thomas Cullum 1st Baronet (age 41).

Pepy's Diary. 26 Dec 1660. In the morning to Alderman Backwell's (age 42) for the candlesticks for Mr. Coventry (age 32), but they being not done I went away, and so by coach to Mr. Crew's (age 62), and there took some money of Mr. Moore's for my Lord, and so to my Lord's, where I found Sir Thomas Bond (whom I never saw before) with a message from the Queen (age 51) about vessells for the carrying over of her goods, and so with him to Mr. Coventry (age 32), and thence to the office (being soundly washed going through the bridge) to Sir Wm. Batten (age 59) and Pen (age 39) (the last of whom took physic to-day), and so I went up to his chamber, and there having made an end of the business I returned to White Hall by water, and dined with my Lady Sandwich (age 35), who at table did tell me how much fault was laid upon Dr. Frazer and the rest of the Doctors, for the death of the Princess!

Pepy's Diary. 26 Dec 1663. So home and found Mr. Hollyard (age 54) there, and he stayed and dined with us, we having a pheasant to dinner. He gone, I all the afternoon with my wife to cards, and, God forgive me! to see how the very discourse of plays, which I shall be at liberty to see after New Year's Day next, do set my mind upon them, but I must be forced to stint myself very strictly before I begin, or else I fear I shall spoil all.

Evelyn's Diary. 26 Dec 1688. The Peers and such Commoners as were members of the Parliament at Oxford, being the last of Charles II meeting, desire the Prince of Orange (age 38) to take on him the disposal of the public revenue till a convention of Lords and Commons should meet in full body, appointed by his circular letters to the shires and boroughs, 22d of January. I had now quartered upon me a Lieutenant-Colonel and eight horses.

On 26 Dec 1729 Edward Astley 4th Baronet was born to Jacob Astley 3rd Baronet (age 37) and Lucy L'Estrange (age 30). Coefficient of inbreeding 1.56%.

On 26 Dec 1734 George Romney was born in Beckside Dalton in Furness.

On 26 Dec 1827 Harriet Frances Maria Anson Baroness Vernon was born to Thomas William Anson 1st Earl Lichfield (age 32) and Louisa Barbara Catherine Phillips Countess Lichfield (age 27).

Births on the 26th December

On 26 Dec 1249 Edmund "Almain" 2nd Earl Cornwall was born to Richard of Cornwall 1st Earl Cornwall (age 40) and Sanchia Provence Queen Consort Germany (age 21). He a grandson of King John "Lackland" of England.

On 26 Dec 1526 Rose Lok was born.

Around 26 Dec 1544 Anne Kempe was born to Thomas Kempe (age 31) and Katherine Cheney.

On 26 Dec 1611 Nicholas Mosley was born to Oswald Mosley (age 28).

On 26 Dec 1618 Elisabeth Palatinate Simmern was born to Frederick Palatinate Simmern V Elector Palatine Rhine (age 22) and Princess Elizabeth Stewart Queen Bohemia (age 22). She a granddaughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland.

On 26 Dec 1628 Thomas Cullum 2nd Baronet was born to Thomas Cullum 1st Baronet (age 41).

On 26 Dec 1677 Reverend John Disney was born to Daniel Disney (age 21).

On 26 Dec 1704 George Beauclerk was born to Charles Beauclerk 1st Duke St Albans (age 34) and Diana Vere Duchess St Albans (age 25). He a grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 26 Dec 1729 Edward Astley 4th Baronet was born to Jacob Astley 3rd Baronet (age 37) and Lucy L'Estrange (age 30). Coefficient of inbreeding 1.56%.

On 26 Dec 1734 George Romney was born in Beckside Dalton in Furness.

On 26 Dec 1737 Prince Frederick Josias Saxe Coburg Saalfeld was born to Francis Josias Saxe Coburg Saalfeld Duke Saxe Coburg Saalfeld (age 40) and Duchess Anna Sophie Of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (age 37) at Ehrenburg Palace, Coburg. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.37%.

On 26 Dec 1747 Admiral Charles Powell Hamilton was born to Anne Hamilton (age 38) and Anna Charlotta Maria Powell.

On 26 Dec 1766 Francis Nathaniel Burton was born to Francis Burton aka Conyngham 2nd Baron Conyngham (age 41) and Elizabeth Clements. He was a twin with his brother Henry Conyngham 1st Marquess Conyngham.

On 26 Dec 1766 Henrietta Laura Johnstone aka Pulteney 1st Countess Bath was born to William Johnstone aka Pulteney 5th Baronet (age 37) and Frances Pulteney (age 51).

On 26 Dec 1766 Henry Conyngham 1st Marquess Conyngham was born to Francis Burton aka Conyngham 2nd Baron Conyngham (age 41) and Elizabeth Clements. He was a twin with his brother Francis Nathaniel Burton.

On 26 Dec 1768 Charlotte Theresa Drummond was born to Robert Drummond of Cadland in Hampshire.

On 26 Dec 1770 Emily Fitzroy Baroness Bagot was born to Charles Fitzroy 1st Baron Southampton (age 33) and Anne Warren Baroness Southampton (age 32). She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 26 Dec 1786 Colonel William Berkeley 1st Earl Fitzhardinge was born illegitimately to Frederick Augustus Berkeley 5th Earl Berkeley (age 41) and Mary Cole. He a great x 3 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 26 Dec 1793 Charles Stephen Gore was born to Arthur Saunders Gore 2nd Earl Arran (age 59) and Elizabeth Underwood Countess of Arran.

On 26 Dec 1815 Montague Peregrine Bertie 11th Earl Lindsey was born to Albermarle Bertie 9th Earl Lindsey (age 71) and Charlotte Layard Countess Lindsey (age 35).

On 26 Dec 1827 Sarah Elizabeth Catherine Gordon was born to Henry Gordon (age 25).

On 26 Dec 1827 Harriet Frances Maria Anson Baroness Vernon was born to Thomas William Anson 1st Earl Lichfield (age 32) and Louisa Barbara Catherine Phillips Countess Lichfield (age 27).

On 26 Dec 1853 Charles Henry Pole-Carew was born to William Henry Pole-Carew (age 42).

On 26 Dec 1861 Elizabeth Maria Prendergast Vereker was born to Standish Prendergast Vereker 4th Viscount Gort (age 42) and Caroline Harriet Gage (age 38).

On 26 Dec 1914 Alexander David Stewart was born to Walter Robert Stewart (age 26).

On 26 Dec 1918 Elizabeth Wellesley was born to Gerald Wellesley 7th Duke Wellington (age 33) and Dorothy Violet Ashton Duchess Wellington (age 29).

Marriages on the 26th December

On 25 or 26 Dec 1251 Alexander III King Scotland (age 10) and Margaret Queen of Scotland (age 11) were married at York Minster [Map]. She by marriage Queen Consort Scotland. The couple remained in York until Jan 1252 after which they travelled to Edinburgh [Map]. She the daughter of King Henry III of England (age 44) and Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England (age 28). He the son of Alexander II King Scotland and Marie Coucy (age 33). They were half fourth cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

Before 26 Dec 1594 Francis Cockayne (age 49) and Ann Knightley (age 45) were married.

On 26 Dec 1605 Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 42) and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 42) were married at Wansted House during a service conducted by Archbishop William Laud (age 32) (future). The marriage was regarded as uncanonical and resulted in the disgrace of both parties, who were banished from King James I's court circles. She by marriage Countess Devonshire. She the daughter of Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex and Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 62). They were third cousins.

On 26 Dec 1613 Robert Carr 1st Earl Somerset (age 26) and Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset (age 23) were married. She by marriage Countess Somerset. She the daughter of Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 52) and Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 49).

Her marriage with her first husband Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex (age 22) had been annulled on the grounds of his impotence three months before causing something of a scandal.

On 26 Dec 1639 Lewis Boyle 1st Viscount Boyle (age 20) and Elizabeth Feilding Countess Guildford were married at the Chapel Royal, Whitehall Palace. She the daughter of William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh (age 52) and Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh (age 56). He the son of Richard Boyle 1st Earl Cork (age 73) and Catherine Fenton Countess Cork.

On 26 Dec 1678 Charles Cockayne 3rd Viscount Cullen (age 20) and Catherine Willoughby (age 23) were married.

On 26 Dec 1691 Alexander Jacob of London and Elizabeth Brydges were married.

On 26 Dec 1754 Robert Shirley 6th Earl Ferrers (age 31) and Catherine Cotton Countess Ferrers were married.

On 26 Dec 1787 Samuel Charles Whitbread (age 23) and Elizabeth Grey were married. See Marriage of Two Sets of Siblings. She the daughter of Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey (age 58) and Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey (age 43).

On 26 Dec 1799 George William Stafford-Jerningham 8th Baron Stafford (age 28) and Frances Henrietta Sulyarde were married. He a great x 3 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 26 Dec 1840 Henry Porter Sherbrooke (age 30) and Louisa Anne Fleming Fane (age 26) were married.

On 26 Dec 1904 Henry Molyneux Paget Howard 19th Earl Suffolk 12th Earl Berkshire (age 27) and Margaret Hyde "Daisy" Leiter (age 25) were married. She a wealthy American heiress, one of many who married into English nobilty around the time. He the son of Henry Charles Howard 18th Earl Suffolk 11th Earl Berkshire and Mary Eleanor Coventry Countess Suffolk and Berkshire (age 57).

Deaths on the 26th December

On 16 Dec 956 or 26 Dec 956 Archbishop Wulfstan died at Oundle, Northamptonshire [Map].

On 26 Dec 1126 Wulfhilde of Saxony Duchess Bavaria (age 54) died.

On 26 Dec 1194 Aubrey de Vere 1st Earl of Oxford (age 79) died. His son Aubrey de Vere 2nd Earl of Oxford (age 31) succeeded 2nd Earl of Oxford.

After 26 Dec 1242 Hugh de Lacy (age 66) died.

On 26 Dec 1248 Theobald Butler (age 24) died. His son Theobald Butler (age 6) succeeded 4th Chief Butler Ireland.

On 26 Dec 1352 John Plantagenet 3rd Earl Kent (age 22) died. He was buried at Greyfriars Church, Winchester [Map]. Earl Kent extinct. His sister Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 24) succeeded 5th Baroness Wake of Liddell. Some source suggest she also succeeded as 4th Countess of Kent but this is inconsistent with 1. her husband being created Earl of Kent as a new creation, and 2. her son not succeeding to the original Earldom?

On 26 Dec 1360 Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent (age 46) died. He was buried at Blackfriars Friary, Stamford [Map]. His son Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent (age 10) succeeded 2nd Earl Kent.

On 26 Dec 1424 John St John (age 62) died.

On 26 Dec 1426 Hugh Poynings (age 56) died.

On 26 Dec 1441 Niccolò Este III Marquis of Ferrara (age 58) died.

On 26 Dec 1446 Joanna Valois (age 8) died.

On 26 Dec 1455 or 08 Jan 1456 John Delaval died.

On 26 Dec 1458 Arthur Montfort III Duke Brittany (age 65) died.

On 26 Dec 1466 Ralph Shirley (age 53) died at Ettington.

On 26 Dec 1476 Galeazzo Maria Sforza 5th Duke Milan (age 32) was murdered. Supported by about thirty friends, the three men waited in the church for the duke to arrive for mass. When Galeazzo Sforza arrived, Lampugnani knelt before him; after some words were exchanged, Lampugnani rose suddenly and stabbed Sforza in the groin and breast. Olgiati and Visconti soon joined in, as did a servant of Lampugnani's. Sforza was dead within a matter of seconds. All the assassins quickly escaped in the ensuing mayhem save for Lampugnani, who became entangled in some of the church's cloth and was killed by a guard. His body soon fell into the hands of a mob, which dragged the corpse through the streets, slashing and beating at it; finally, they hung the body upside-down outside Lampugnani's house. The beheaded corpse was cut down the next day and, in an act of symbolism, the "sinning" right hand was removed, burnt and put on display. His son Gian Galeazzo Sforza 6th Duke Milan (age 7) succeeded 6th Duke Milan.

On 26 Dec 1488 Anne Starkey (age 25) died.

On or after 26 Dec 1503 John Shaa (age 43) died.

On 26 Dec 1556 Henry Thornton (age 26) died.

On 26 Dec 1566 Edmund Drake of Crowdale (age 48) died.

On 26 Dec 1578 William Fitch (age 82) died.

On 26 Dec 1594 Francis Cockayne (age 49) died.

On 26 Dec 1610 Arthur Acland (age 37) died.

On 26 Dec 1619 John Charles Habsburg Spain (age 14) died.

On 26 Dec 1635 Walter Pye of The Mynde in Herefordshire (age 64) died. He was buried at St David's Church, Much Dewchurch where there is elaborate alabaster monument to his memory..

On 26 Dec 1646 Henry Bourbon Condé II Prince Condé (age 58) died. His son Louis "Le Grand Condé" Bourbon Condé II Prince Condé (age 25) succeeded II Prince Condé.

On 26 Dec 1653 Bryan Cooke (age 83) died.

On 26 Dec 1664 Marie Anne Bourbon died.

On 26 Dec 1694 James Seton 4th Earl Dunfermline (age 51) died.

On or before 26 Dec 1696 Anne Leslie Lady Delaval died. She was buried on 26 Dec 1696 at Church of our Lady Seaton Delaval [Map].

On 26 Dec 1704 Barbara Clarke (age 77) died.

On 26 Dec 1718 John Noel (age 59) died.

On 26 Dec 1718 William Wilson 2nd Baronet (age 74) died. His grandson William Wilson 3rd Baronet (age 13) succeeded 3rd Baronet Wilson of Eastbourne in Sussex.

On 26 Dec 1723 Mary Frances Fowler Countess Huntingdon (age 59) died.

On 26 Dec 1734 Salusbury Lloyd of Leadbrook in Flintshire died. He left his estates, including Shotwick Park, Cheshire, to his daughter Catherine Lloyd and her husband Thomas Brereton aka Salusbury (age 50) since his son had predeceased him.

On 26 Dec 1736 Metcalfe Robinson 2nd Baronet died. His brother Tancred Robinson 3rd Baronet (age 51) succeeded 3rd Baronet Robinson of Newby in Yorkshire. Mary Norton Lady Robinson by marriage Lady Robinson of Newby in Yorkshire.

On 26 Dec 1739 Vere Beauclerk (age 2) died.

On 26 Dec 1781 John Honywood 3rd Baronet (age 71) died. His grandson John Honywood 4th Baronet (age 24) succeeded 4th Baronet Honywood of Evington in Kent.

On 26 Dec 1793 Brownlow Cecil 9th Earl Exeter (age 68) died. His nephew Henry Cecil 1st Marquess Exeter (age 39) succeeded 10th Earl Exeter, 11th Baron Burghley. Sarah Hoggins Countess Exeter (age 19) by marriage Countess Exeter.

On or before 26 Dec 1800 Lucy Strange Lady Wheler died. She was buried on 26 Dec 1800.

On 26 Dec 1800 Mary "Perdita" Darby aka Robinson (age 43) died.

On 26 Dec 1806 George Bowes-Lyon (age 35) died.

On 26 Dec 1807 Colonel William Monson (age 47) died.

Before 26 Dec 1814 Mary Graham Lady Oxenden (age 41) died.

On 26 Dec 1827 Archibald Douglas 1st Baron Douglas (age 79) died.

On 26 Dec 1829 William Fowle Middleton 1st Baronet (age 81) died. His son William Fowle Middleton 2nd Baronet (age 45) succeeded 2nd Baronet Middleton of Crowfield in Suffolk.

On 26 Dec 1837 George Smith (age 72) died.

On 26 Dec 1841 Mary Fanny Allgood (age 7) died.

On 26 Dec 1863 Mary Pigott Lady Broughton (age 76) died.

On 26 Dec 1863 Francis Caulfeild 2nd Earl Charlemont (age 88) died. His nephew James Molyneux Caulfeild 3rd Earl Charlemont (age 43) succeeded 3rd Earl of Charlemont, 6th Viscount Charlemont in County Armagh, 9th Baron Charlemont. Elizabeth Jane Somerville Countess Charlemont (age 29) by marriage Countess of Charlemont.

On 26 Dec 1885 Reverend Marcus Beresford (age 84) died.

On 26 Dec 1899 Louisa Charlotte Hill (age 76) died.

On 26 Dec 1910 Edith Sophia Rowley Lady Cholmeley (age 62) died.

On 26 Dec 1922 Ardyn Mary Tyrwhitt Viscountess Knollys (age 62) died.

On 26 Dec 1927 William Henry Holland 1st Baron Rotherham (age 78) died. His son Stuart Holland 2nd Baron Rotherham (age 51) succeeded 2nd Baron Rotherham of Broughton in Lancashire, 2nd Baronet Holland of Queen's Gate in Kensington.

On 26 Dec 1928 Frederick William Ramsden (age 64) died.

On 26 Dec 1952 Maud Margaret Wilson Countess Huntingdon (age 84) died.

On 26 Dec 1961 Caroline Beatrix Parker Viscountess Bridgeman (age 88) died.

On 26 Dec 1980 Anne Ferelith Bowes-Lyon (age 63) died.

On 26 Dec 1985 Phillida Shirley (age 89) died.

On 26 Dec 1989 Sybil Sassoon Marchioness Cholmondeley (age 95) died.