Biography of Francis Leigh 1st Earl Chichester 1598-1653

Paternal Family Tree: Legh

Maternal Family Tree: Joan Brereton 1454-1517

On 28th April 1598 Francis Leigh 1st was born to [his uncle] Francis Leigh (age 19) and [his mother] Mary Egerton (age 19).

Before 1601 [his uncle] Francis Leigh (age 21) and [his mother] Mary Egerton (age 21) were married.

Before 1608 Francis Anderson (age 26) and [his future wife] Audrey Boteler Countess Chichester were married.

In July 1616 Francis Leigh 1st (age 18) and Susan Northam were married.

In July 1617 [his wife] Susan Northam died.

On 31st July 1617 Francis Leigh 1st (age 19) and Audrey Boteler Countess Chichester were married.

In 1618 Francis Leigh 1st (age 19) was created 1st Baronet Leigh of Newnham in Warwickshire.

The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.

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After 1618 James Ley 1st Earl of Marlborough (age 66) and [his sister-in-law] Jane Boteler Countess Marlborough were married.

On 11th January 1620 [his daughter] Elizabeth Leigh Countess Southampton was born to Francis Leigh 1st (age 21) and [his wife] Audrey Boteler Countess Chichester. She married before 1646 Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester, son of Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton and Elizabeth Vernon Countess Southampton, and had issue.

In 1625 [his uncle] Francis Leigh (age 46) died.

On 5th February 1626 James Ley 1st Earl of Marlborough (age 74) was created 1st Earl Marlborough by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 25). [his sister-in-law] Jane Boteler Countess Marlborough by marriage Countess Marlborough.

On 7th February 1626 Mountjoy Blount 1st Earl Newport (age 29) and [his sister-in-law] Anne Boteler Countess Newport and Portland (age 26) were married. He the illegitmate son of Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire.

In July 1627 Mountjoy Blount 1st Earl Newport (age 30) was created 1st Earl Newport in the Isle of Wight. [his sister-in-law] Anne Boteler Countess Newport and Portland (age 27) by marriage Countess Newport in the Isle of Wight.

In 1628 Francis Leigh 1st (age 29) was created 1st Baron Dunsmore of Dunsmore in Warwickshire with special remainder to his stepson John Anderson 1st Baronet who was the son of his second wife [his wife] Audrey Boteler Countess Chichester and Francis Anderson. John Anderson 1st Baronet predeceased Francis Leigh 1st so the remainder had no effect.

In 1644 Francis Leigh 1st (age 45) was created 1st Earl Chichester with special remainder to [his future son-in-law] Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester (age 36) who was the husband of his daughter [his daughter] Elizabeth Leigh Countess Southampton (age 23). [his wife] Audrey Boteler Countess Chichester by marriage Countess Chichester.

Before 1646 [his son-in-law] Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester (age 38) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Leigh Countess Southampton (age 25) were married. She by marriage Countess of Southampton. She the daughter of Francis Leigh 1st Earl Chichester (age 47) and [his wife] Audrey Boteler Countess Chichester. He the son of Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton and Elizabeth Vernon Countess Southampton (age 73).

On 16th September 1652 [his wife] Audrey Boteler Countess Chichester died.

On 21st December 1653 Francis Leigh 1st (age 55) died. Baronet Leigh of Newnham in Warwickshire, Baron Dunsmore of Dunsmore in Warwickshire extinct.

His son-in-law [his son-in-law] Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester (age 46) succeeded 2nd Earl Chichester.

Deeds of King Henry V

Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.

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[his daughter] Mary Leigh Viscountess Grandison was born to Francis Leigh 1st and Audrey Boteler Countess Chichester. She married her first cousin once removed George Villiers 4th Viscount Grandison and had issue.