Biography of Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford 1627-1703

Paternal Family Tree: Vere

In 1626 [his father] Robert de Vere 19th Earl of Oxford (age 50) and [his mother] Beatrice Van Hemmema Countess of Oxford (age 46) were married. She by marriage Countess of Oxford.

On 28th February 1627 Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford was born to Robert de Vere 19th Earl of Oxford (age 51) and Beatrice Van Hemmema Countess of Oxford (age 47).

Siege of Maastricht

On 7th August 1632 [his father] Robert de Vere 19th Earl of Oxford (age 56) was killed at the Siege of Maastricht. His son Aubrey (age 5) succeeded 20th Earl of Oxford.

Around 1647 Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 19) and Anne Bayning Countess of Oxford (age 9) were married. She by marriage Countess of Oxford. He the son of Robert de Vere 19th Earl of Oxford and Beatrice Van Hemmema Countess of Oxford (age 67).

In 1653 [his mother] Beatrice Van Hemmema Countess of Oxford (age 73) died.

Around 1656 Gilbert Soest (age 51). Portrait of Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 28).

On 14th September 1659 [his wife] Anne Bayning Countess of Oxford (age 22) died. She was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map] on 27th September 1659.

In 1660 Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 32) was appointed 461st Knight of the Garter by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 29).

John Evelyn's Diary. 9th January 1662. I saw acted the Third Part of "The Siege of Rhodes". In this acted the fair and famous comedian called [his future wife] Roxalana (age 19) from the part she performed; and I think it was the last, she being taken to be the Earl of Oxford's (age 34) Miss [Note. Probably [his future wife] Diana Kirke Countess of Oxford] (as at this time they began to call lewd women). It was in recitative music.

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The Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough, a canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: "In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 20th May 1662. Sir W. Pen (age 41) and I did a little business at the office, and so home again. Then comes Dean Fuller (age 54) after we had dined, but I got something for him, and very merry we were for an hour or two, and I am most pleased with his company and goodness. At last parted, and my wife and I by coach to the Opera, and there saw the 2nd part of "The Siege of Rhodes", but it is not so well done as when [his future wife] Roxalana (age 20) was there, who, it is said, is now owned by my Lord of Oxford (age 35)¹.

Note 1. For note on Mrs. Davenport, who was deceived by a pretended marriage with the Earl of Oxford, see ante. Lord Oxford's [his former wife] first wife died in 1659. He married, in 1672, his second wife, [his future wife] Diana Kirke, of whom nothing more need be said than that she bore an inappropriate Christian name.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 26th July 1662. Thence to Mrs. Sarah, and there looked over my Lord's lodgings, which are very pretty; and White Hall garden and the Bowling-ally (where lords and ladies are now at bowles), in brave condition. Mrs. Sarah told me how the falling out between my Baroness Castlemaine's (age 21) and her Lord was about christening of the child lately¹, which he would have, and had done by a priest: and, some days after, she had it again christened by a minister; the King (age 32), and Lord of Oxford, and Duchesse of Suffolk, being witnesses: and christened with a proviso, that it had not already been christened. Since that she left her Lord, carrying away every thing in the house; so much as every dish, and cloth, and servant but the porter. He is gone discontented into France, they say, to enter a monastery; and now she is coming back again to her house in Kingstreet. But I hear that the Queen (age 23) did prick her out of the list presented her by the King;² desiring that she might have that favour done her, or that he would send her from whence she come: and that the King was angry and the Queen discontented a whole day and night upon it; but that the King hath promised to have nothing to do with her hereafter. But I cannot believe that the King can fling her off so, he loving her too well: and so I writ this night to my Lady to be my opinion; she calling her my lady, and the lady I admire. Here I find that my Lord hath lost the garden to his lodgings, and that it is turning into a tennis-court. Hence by water to the Wardrobe to see how all do there, and so home to supper and to bed.

Note 1. The boy was born in June at Baroness Castlemaine's house in King Street. By the direction of Lord Castlemaine, who had become a Roman Catholic, the child was baptized by a priest, and this led to a final separation between husband and wife. Some days afterwards the child was again baptized by the rector of St. Margaret's, Westminster [Map], in presence of the godparents, the King, Aubrey De Vere (age 35), Earl of Oxford, and Barbara, Countess of Suffolk (age 40), first Lady of the Bedchamber to the Queen and Baroness Castlemaine's aunt. The entry in the register of St. Margaret's [Map] is as follows: "1662 June 18 Charles Palmer Ld Limbricke, s. to ye right honorble Roger Earl of Castlemaine by Barbara" (Steinman's "Memoir of Barbara, Duchess of Cleveland", 1871, p. 33). The child was afterwards called Charles Fitzroy, and was created Duke of Southampton in 1674. He succeeded his mother in the dukedom of Cleveland in 1709, and died 1730.

Note 2. By the King's command Lord Clarendon (age 54), much against his inclination, had twice visited his royal mistress with a view of inducing her, by persuasions which he could not justify, to give way to the King's determination to have Baroness Castlemaine's of her household.... Lord Clarendon has given a full account of all that transpired between himself, the King and the Queen, on this very unpleasant business ('Continuation of Life of Clarendon,' 1759, ff. 168-178). Steinman's Memoir of Duchess of Cleveland, p. 35. The day at length arrived when Baroness Castlemaine's was to be formally admitted a Lady of the Bedchamber. The royal warrant, addressed to the Lord Chamberlain (age 61), bears date June 1, 1663, and includes with that of her ladyship, the names of the Duchess of Buckingham (age 24), the Countesses of Chesterfield and Bath (age 22), and the Countess Mareshall. A separate warrant of the same day directs his lordship to admit the Countess of Suffolk as Groom of the Stole and first Lady of the Bedchamber, to which undividable offices she had, with the additional ones of Mistress of the Robes and Keeper of the Privy Purse, been nominated by a warrant dated April 2, 1662, wherein the reception of her oath is expressly deferred until the Queen's household shall be established. We here are furnished with the evidence that Charles would not sign the warrants for the five until Catherine had withdrawn her objection to his favourite one. Addenda to Steinman's Memoir of Duchess of Cleveland (privately printed), 1874, p. i.

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From 1663 to 1673 Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 35) lived at 8 Great Piazza Covent Garden.

Around 1663 Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 35) and Hester Davenport Countess of Oxford (age 20) were married. When he subsequently married Diana Kirke Countess of Oxford in 1672 it transpired his marriage to Hester Davenport had been a sham with the service being performed by one of his servants. She lost the case making their son Aubrey de Vere illegitimate. She by marriage Countess of Oxford. It isn't entirely clear whether the marriage was legal and, consequently, whether she became Countess of Oxford. He the son of Robert de Vere 19th Earl of Oxford and Beatrice Van Hemmema Countess of Oxford.

John Evelyn's Diary. 21st January 1663. Dined at Mr. Treasurer's, of the Household, Sir Charles Berkeley's (age 33), where were the Earl of Oxford (age 35), Lord Bellassis (age 48), Lord Gerard (age 29), Sir Andrew Scrope, Sir William Coventry (age 35), Dr. Fraser, Mr. Windham, and others.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 15th May 1663. Thence walked to Westminster, and there up and down in the Hall and the Parliament House all the morning; at noon by coach to my Lord Crew's, hearing that Lord Sandwich (age 37) did dine there; where I told him what had passed between Mr. Coventry (age 35) and myself; with which he was contented, though I could perceive not very well pleased. And I do believe that my Lord do find some other things go against his mind in the House; for in the motion made the other day in the House by my Lord Bruce, that none be capable of employment but such as have been loyal and constant to the King (age 32) and Church, the General [Monk] and my Lord were mentioned to be excepted; and my Lord Bruce did come since to my Lord, to clear himself that he meant nothing to his prejudice, nor could it have any such effect if he did mean it. After discourse with my Lord; to dinner with him; there dining there my Lord Montagu of Boughton, Northamptonshire, Mr. William Montagu (age 45) his brother, the Queen's Sollicitor, &c., and a fine dinner. Their talk about a ridiculous falling-out two days ago at my Lord of Oxford's (age 36) house, at an entertainment of his, there being there my Lord of Albemarle (age 54), Lynsey (age 55), two of the Porters, my Lord Bellasses (age 48), and others, where there were high words and some blows, and pulling off of perriwiggs; till my Lord Monk took away some of their swords, and sent for some soldiers to guard the house till the fray was ended. To such a degree of madness the nobility of this age is come!

John Evelyn's Diary. 20th August 1663. I dined at the Comptroller's [of the Household] with the Earl of Oxford (age 36) and Mr. Ashburnham; it was said it should be the last of the public diets, or tables, at Court, it being determined to put down the old hospitality, at which was great murmuring, considering his Majesty's (age 33) vast revenue and the plenty of the nation. Hence, I went to sit in a Committee, to consider about the regulation of the Mint at the Tower [Map]; in which some small progress was made.

On 17th April 1664 [his son] Aubrey de Vere was born to Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 37) and [his wife] Hester Davenport Countess of Oxford (age 22). He was baptised on 15th May 1664 at St Paul's Church, Covent Garden.

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The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 2nd June 1664. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and then to the 'Change [Map], where after some stay by coach with Sir J. Minnes (age 65) and Mr. Coventry (age 36) to St. James's, and there dined with Mr. Coventry very finely, and so over the Parke to White Hall to a Committee of Tangier about providing provisions, money, and men for Tangier [Map]. At it all the afternoon, but it is strange to see how poorly and brokenly things are done of the greatest consequence, and how soon the memory of this great man is gone, or, at least, out of mind by the thoughts of who goes next, which is not yet knowne. My Lord of Oxford (age 37), Muskerry, and several others are discoursed of. It seems my Lord Tiviott's design was to go a mile and half out of the towne, to cut down a wood in which the enemy did use to lie in ambush. He had sent several spyes; but all brought word that the way was clear, and so might be for any body's discovery of an enemy before you are upon them. There they were all snapt, he and all his officers, and about 200 men, as they say; there being left now in the garrison but four captains. This happened the 3d of May last, being not before that day twelvemonth of his entering into his government there: but at his going out in the morning he said to some of his officers, "Gentlemen, let us look to ourselves, for it was this day three years that so many brave Englishmen were knocked on the head by the Moores, when Fines made his sally out". Here till almost night, and then home with Sir J. Minnes by coach, and so to my office a while, and home to supper and bed, being now in constant pain in my back, but whether it be only wind or what it is the Lord knows, but I fear the worst.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 3rd January 1665. Up, and by coach to Sir Ph. Warwicke's (age 55), the streete being full of footballs, it being a great frost, and found him and Mr. Coventry (age 37) walking in St. James's Parke. I did my errand to him about the felling of the King's timber in the forests, and then to my Lord of Oxford (age 37), Justice in Eyre, for his consent thereto, for want whereof my Lord Privy Seale stops the whole business. I found him in his lodgings, in but an ordinary furnished house and roome where he was, but I find him to be a man of good discreet replys.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 4th January 1665. Then come Mr. Moore to see me, and he and I to my Lord of Oxford's (age 37), but not finding him within Mr. Moore and I to "Love in a Tubb", which is very merry, but only so by gesture, not wit at all, which methinks is beneath the House.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 4th January 1665. Lay long, and then up and to my Lord of Oxford's (age 37), but his Lordshipp was in bed at past ten o'clock: and, Lord helpe us! so rude a dirty family I never saw in my life. He sent me out word my business was not done, but should against the afternoon. I thence to the Coffee-house, there but little company, and so home to the 'Change [Map], where I hear of some more of our ships lost to the Northward.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 14th May 1666. I left her at it, and toward Westminster myself with my wife by coach and meeting took up Mr. Lovett the varnisher with us, who is a pleasant speaking and humoured man, so my wife much taken with him, and a good deale of worke I believe I shall procure him. I left my wife at the New Exchange and myself to the Exchequer, to looke after my Tangier tallys, and there met Sir G. Downing (age 41), who shewed me his present practise now begun this day to paste up upon the Exchequer door a note of what orders upon the new Act are paid and now in paying, and my Lord of Oxford (age 39) coming by, also took him, and shewed him his whole method of keeping his books, and everything of it, which indeed is very pretty, and at this day there is assigned upon the Act £804,000.

John Evelyn's Diary. 18th October 1666. This night was acted my Lord Broghill's (age 45) tragedy, called "Mustapha", before their Majesties (age 36) [Note. and Catherine of Braganza Queen Consort England (age 27)] at Court, at which I was present; very seldom going to the public theatres for many reasons now, as they were abused to an atheistical liberty; foul and indecent women now (and never till now) permitted to appear and act, who inflaming several young noblemen and gallants, became their misses, and to some, their wives. Witness the Earl of Oxford (age 39), Sir R. Howard (age 40), Prince Rupert (age 46), the Earl of Dorset (age 44), and another greater person than any of them, who fell into their snares, to the reproach of their noble families, and ruin of both body and soul. I was invited by my Lord Chamberlain (age 64) to see this tragedy, exceedingly well written, though in my mind I did not approve of any such pastime in a time of such judgments and calamities.

Around 1667 [his future wife] Diana Kirke Countess of Oxford became the mistress of Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 39).

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 26th April 1667. She is gone yesterday with her Lord to Cobham, Kent. He did tell me of the ridiculous humour of our King and Knights of the Garter the other day, who, whereas heretofore their robes were only to be worn during their ceremonies and service, these, as proud of their coats, did wear them all day till night, and then rode into the Parke with them on. Nay, and he tells me he did see my Lord Oxford (age 40) and the Duke of Monmouth (age 18) in a Hackney-coach with two footmen in the Parke, with their robes on; which is a most scandalous thing, so as all gravity may be said to be lost among us.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 8th June 1667. After dinner to the office again, where busy till night, and then home and to read a little and then to bed. The news is confirmed that the Dutch are off of Harwich, Essex [Map], but had done nothing last night. The King (age 37) hath sent down my Lord of Oxford (age 40) to raise the countries there; and all the Westerne barges are taken up to make a bridge over the River, about the Hope, for horse to cross the River, if there be occasion.

John Evelyn's Diary. 28th August 1670. One of the Canons preached; then followed the offering of the Knights of the Order, according to custom; first the poor Knights, in procession, then, the Canons in their formalities, the Dean and Chancellor, then his Majesty (age 40) (the Sovereign), the Duke of York (age 36), Prince Rupert (age 50); and, lastly, the Earl of Oxford (age 43), being all the Knights that were then at Court.

On 12th April 1672 Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 45) and Diana Kirke Countess of Oxford were married. She by marriage Countess of Oxford. He the son of Robert de Vere 19th Earl of Oxford and Beatrice Van Hemmema Countess of Oxford.

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On 24th August 1673 [his daughter] Charlotte de Vere was born to Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 46) and [his wife] Diana Kirke Countess of Oxford. She was baptised 13th September 1673 at St Martin in the Fields Church [Map].

On 22nd November 1675 [his son] Charles de Vere was born to Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 48) and [his wife] Diana Kirke Countess of Oxford. He was baptised on 9th December 1675 at St Martin in the Fields Church [Map]. Died as an infant.

In 1679 [his daughter] Diana Vere Duchess St Albans was born to Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 51) and [his wife] Diana Kirke Countess of Oxford.

Around 1682 [his daughter] Henrietta de Vere was born to Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 54) and [his wife] Diana Kirke Countess of Oxford.

On 17th April 1694 [his son-in-law] Charles Beauclerk 1st Duke St Albans (age 23) and [his daughter] Diana Vere Duchess St Albans (age 15) were married. She by marriage Duchess St Albans. She the daughter of Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 67) and [his wife] Diana Kirke Countess of Oxford. He the illegitmate son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland and Nell Gwyn.

On 12th March 1703 Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 76) died. Earl of Oxford extinct.

On 16th November 1717 [his former wife] Hester Davenport Countess of Oxford (age 75) died.

In 1719 [his former wife] Diana Kirke Countess of Oxford died.

[his daughter] Mary de Vere was born to Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford and Diana Kirke Countess of Oxford.

Biography of Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford 1627-1703

Royal Ancestors of Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford 1627-1703

Ancestors of Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford 1627-1703