Biography of Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford 1593-1641

On 13 Feb 1585 [his father] William Russell 1st Baron Russell (age 25) and [his mother] Elizabeth Long Baroness Russel Thornhaugh were married at Watford, Hertfordshire. He the son of [his grandfather] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 58) and [his grandmother] Margaret St John Countess Bedford.

In 1593 Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford was born to William Russell 1st Baron Russell (age 33) and Elizabeth Long Baroness Russel Thornhaugh.

On 09 Aug 1613 [his father] William Russell 1st Baron Russell (age 53) died. His son Francis (age 20) succeeded 2nd Baron Russell of Thornhaugh.

Diary of Anne Clifford. 16 Feb 1616. Upon the 16th my Lady Grantham and Mrs Newton came to see me—the next day (she told me) the Archbishop of Canterbury (age 53) would come to me and she persuaded me very earnestly to agree to this business which I took as a great argument of her love. My Coz. Russell (age 23) came to me the same day and chid me and told me of all my faults and errors in this business; he made me weep bitterly; then I spoke a prayer of Owens and went to see my Lady Wotten at Whitehall where we walked 5 or 6 turns but spoke nothing of this business though her heart and mine were full of it—from hence I went to the Abbey at Westminster where I saw the Queen of Scots, her tomb and all the other tombs, and came home by water where I took an extreme cold.

Diary of Anne Clifford. 17 Feb 1616. Upon the 17th my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (age 53), my Lord William Howard (age 52)¹, my Lord Rous (age 25), my Coz. Russell (age 23), my Brother Sackville (age 25) and a great company of men of [erased in MS.] were all in the Gallery at Dorset House where the Archbishop took me aside and talked with me privately one hour and half and persuaded me both by Divine and human means to set my hand to their arguments. But my answer to his Lordship was that I would do nothing till my Lady and I had conferred together. Much persuasion was used by him and all the company, sometimes terrifying me and sometimes flattering me, but at length it was concluded that I should have leave to go to my [his aunt] Mother (age 55) and send an answer by the 22nd of March next, whether I will agree to the business or not, and to this prayer my Lord of Canterbury and the rest of the Lords have set their hands.

Note 1. Her husband's uncle.

Diary of Anne Clifford. 20 Feb 1616. Upon the 20th came my Lord of Russell and my Cousin George. In all this time of my troubles my Coz. Russell (age 23) was exceeding careful and kind to me.

Before Aug 1616 Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 23) and Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 36) were married.

In Aug 1616 [his son] William Russell 1st Duke Bedford was born to Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 23) and [his wife] Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 36).

Diary of Anne Clifford. 25 May 1617. The 25th my Lord St. John’s tailor came to me hither to take measure of me and to make me a new gown. In the afternoon my Coz. Russell (age 24) wrote me a letter to let me know how my Lord (age 28) had cancelled my jointure he made upon me last June when I went into the North, and by these proceedings I may see how much my Lord is offended with me and that my enemies have the upper hand of me. I am resolved to take all patiently, casting all my care upon Gop. His footman told me that my Coz. Russell and my [his wife] Lady Bedford (age 37) were agreed, and my Lord Herbert and his Lady, and that the next week they were to seal the writings and the agreement, which I little expected.

Diary of Anne Clifford. 09 Jun 1617. The 9th I wrote a letter to the Bishop of London against Mathew. The same day Mt Hodgson came home, who had been with my Coz. Russell (age 24) at Chiswick, and [told me?] what a deal of care he had of me, and my Coz. Russell and my Coz. George sent me word that all my businesses would go on well but they could not find that the business or agreement was fully concluded, in regard there was nothing had passed the Great Seal.

Diary of Anne Clifford. 20 Jun 1617. The 20th I read a letter from my Coz. George which advertised me of many proceedings and showed me the care my Coz. Russell (age 24) had of all my business, and within it a letter from the Lady Somerset. I returned a present answer to both these letters and sent my Coz. George half a buck which my Lord (age 28) had sent me half an hour before with an indifferent kind letter.

On 31 Jan 1619 [his son] Francis Russell was born to Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 26) and [his wife] Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 39). See Anne Clifford's Diary

Diary of Anne Clifford. 31 Jan 1619. The 31st my Coz. Russell’s (age 26) [his wife] wife (age 39) was brought to bed of a son (it being the 7th child) at Chiswick, which was christened in the Church privately and was named [his son] Francis.

Diary of Anne Clifford. 25 Oct 1619. The 25th came down hither to see me my Lord Russell (age 26)¹ and my Coz. Sir Edward George. My Lord (age 30) made very much of them — and shewed them the house and the chambers and my closet but I did not stir forth of my chamber.

Note 1. Had succeeded his father as Lord Russell of Thornhaugh in 1613, and became 4th Earl of Bedford in 1627.

In 1620 [his son] Colonel John Russell was born to Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 27) and [his wife] Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 40).

Around 1620 [his daughter] Anne Russell Countess Bristol was born to Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 27) and [his wife] Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 40).

On 03 May 1627 Edward Russell 3rd Earl Bedford (age 54) died at Moor Park, Hertfordshire. His first cousin Francis (age 34) succeeded 4th Earl Bedford, 4th Baron Russell of Cheneys. [his wife] Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 47) by marriage Countess Bedford.

In 1632 [his son-in-law] James Hay 2nd Earl Carlisle (age 20) and [his daughter] Margaret Russell Countess Manchester and Carlisle were married. She the daughter of Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 39) and [his wife] Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 52). He the son of James Hay 1st Earl Carlisle (age 52) and Honora Denny. They were fourth cousins.

Before 1634 [his son-in-law] George Digby 2nd Earl Bristol (age 21) and [his daughter] Anne Russell Countess Bristol (age 13) were married. She the daughter of Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 40) and [his wife] Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 53). He the son of John Digby 1st Earl Bristol (age 53) and Beatrice Walcott.

On 11 Jul 1637 [his son] William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 20) and [his daughter-in-law] 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 [his wife] Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 57).

Before 1638 [his son-in-law] Robert Greville 2nd Baron Brooke (age 30) and [his daughter] Catherine Russell Baroness Brooke were married. She by marriage Baroness Brooke of Beauchamps Court in Warwickshire. She the daughter of Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 44) and [his wife] Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 57).

Around Apr 1641 [his son] Francis Russell (age 22) died.

On 09 May 1641 Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 48) died. His son [his son] William (age 24) succeeded 5th Earl Bedford, 5th Baron Russell of Cheneys, 3rd Baron Russell of Thornhaugh. [his daughter-in-law] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 25) by marriage Countess Bedford.

In 1657 [his former wife] Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 77) died.

[his son] Edward Russell was born to Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford and Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford.

[his daughter] Catherine Russell Baroness Brooke was born to Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford and Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford.

[his daughter] Margaret Russell Countess Manchester and Carlisle was born to Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford and Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford.

[his daughter] Diana Russell Countess Bradford was born to Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford and Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford.