Biography of John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck 1591-1658

Paternal Family Tree: Villiers

Maternal Family Tree: Anne Armstrong 1544

Before 1587 [his father] George Villiers of Brokesby (age 42) and Audrey Saunders (age 35) were married.

After 1590 [his father] George Villiers of Brokesby (age 46) and [his mother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham (age 20) were married. Some sources describe their relationship as being half-first cousin? His mother [his grandmother] Collette Clarke was first married to her uncle Richard Beaumont so there is no relationship between George Villiers of Brokesby and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham. The difference in their ages was 26 years.

Around 1591 John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck was born to [his father] George Villiers of Brokesby (age 47) and [his mother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham (age 21).

In 1606 [his brother-in-law] William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh (age 19) and [his sister] Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh (age 23) were married. She the daughter of [his father] George Villiers of Brokesby (age 62) and [his mother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham (age 36).

After 1606 Thomas Compton and [his mother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham (age 36) were married. He the son of Henry Compton 1st Baron Compton and Anne Spencer Countess Dorset. They were half fifth cousin once removed.

On 4th January 1606 [his father] George Villiers of Brokesby (age 62) died. He was buried at the Chapel of St Nicholas, Westminster Abbey [Map].

After August 1614 [his brother] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 21) was appointed Cupbearer to King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 48).

Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.

In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

In 1616 [his brother] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 23) was appointed 413th Knight of the Garter by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 49). Aged twenty-four. He had become the King's favourite.

On 1st January 1616 [his brother] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 23) was appointed Master of the Horse. See Diary of Anne Clifford.

On 5th January 1617 [his brother] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 24) was created 1st Earl Buckingham by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 50); his favourite.

On 29th September 1617 John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck (age 26) and Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck (age 15) were married at Hampton Court Palace, Richmond [Map]. King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 51) gave away the bride. He the son of George Villiers of Brokesby and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham (age 47).

In 1618 [his brother] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 25) was created 1st Marquess of Buckingham.

Around 13th August 1618 [his mother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham (age 48) was created 1st Countess Buckingham. It appears this title was for life only since her sons did not inherit it?

Diary of Anne Clifford. 28th June 1619. The 28th my Lady Walton borrowed my Lord's (age 30) coach and went to London, for altogether, as I think for Jemima, she came not to avoid the King's importunity for the passing of Purbeck whereof her son-in-law (age 28) was made Viscount.

On 19th July 1619 John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck (age 28) was created 1st Viscount Purbeck. [his wife] Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck (age 16) by marriage Viscountess Purbeck.

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

On 16th May 1620 [his brother] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 27) and [his sister-in-law] Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham (age 18) were married. She by marriage Countess Buckingham. She the daughter of Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland (age 42) and Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill. He the son of [his father] George Villiers of Brokesby and [his mother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham (age 50).

On 30th December 1620 [his brother-in-law] William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh (age 33) was created 1st Viscount Feilding, 1st Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in Warwickshire. [his sister] Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh (age 37) by marriage Viscountess Feilding.

In 1621 [his wife] Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck (age 18) deserted her husband John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck (age 30) and went to live with Robert Howard (age 37) with whom she had a son.

In March 1622 Henry Carey 1st Viscount Falkland (age 47) was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland through the favour of [his brother] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 29).

On 27th March 1622 Edward Wray and Elizabeth Norreys 3rd Baroness Norreys Rycote (age 19) were married at Church of St Mary Aldermary. [his brother] Christopher Villiers (age 29), brother of [his brother] George, Duke of Buckingham (age 29), had, with Royal encouragement, sought her hand. To avoid being forced into a marriage with him she eloped with Edward Wray. She the daughter of Francis Norreys 1st Earl Berkshire and Bridget Vere Baroness Norreys Rycote (age 37).

On 14th September 1622 [his brother-in-law] William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh (age 35) was created 1st Earl Denbigh. [his sister] Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh (age 39) by marriage Countess Denbigh.

Before 18th April 1623 [his brother] Christopher Villiers 1st Earl Anglesey (age 30) and [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Sheldon Countess Anglesey (age 15) were married. He the son of [his father] George Villiers of Brokesby and [his mother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham (age 53).

On 18th April 1623 [his brother] Christopher Villiers 1st Earl Anglesey (age 30) was created 1st Earl Anglesey, 1st Baron Villiers of Daventry. [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Sheldon Countess Anglesey (age 15) by marriage Countess Anglesey.

Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall

The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

On 18th May 1623 [his brother] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 30) was created 1st Duke of Buckingham by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 56) for being his favourite; what favourite means is open to debate. [his sister-in-law] Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham (age 21) by marriage Duchess of Buckingham.

On 19th October 1624 Robert Wright aka Villiers aka Danvers was born illegitimately to Robert Howard (age 40) and [his wife] Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck (age 22) in Cripplegate Ward. Illegitimate. His father probably Robert Howard with whom his mother was having a long term affair. His mother was married to John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck (age 33). He was baptised Robert Wright.

Murder of the Duke of Buckingham

On 23rd August 1628 [his brother] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 35) was murdered at Greyhound Pub, Portsmouth by a disgruntled soldier John Felton (age 33). He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son [his nephew] George succeeded 2nd Duke of Buckingham, 2nd Marquess of Buckingham, 2nd Earl Buckingham.

Felton was considered a hero by many who blamed Buckingham for the failures of the 1625 Cádiz Expedition and 1627 Siege of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. Felton was subsequently hanged.

On 29th November 1628 John Felton (age 33) was hanged at Tyburn [Map] for having murdered the [his brother] Duke of Buckingham.

On 3rd April 1630 [his brother] Christopher Villiers 1st Earl Anglesey (age 37) died at Windsor, Berkshire [Map]. He was buried at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle [Map]. His son [his nephew] Charles succeeded 2nd Earl Anglesey, 2nd Baron Villiers of Daventry.

In January 1631 Frederick Cornwallis 1st Baron Cornwallis (age 19) and Elizabeth Ashburnham (age 18) were married. After the wedding King Charles I (age 30), Henrietta Maria (age 21) and [his sister] Susan Feilding, Countess of Denbigh (age 48) wrote to congratulate his mother Jane, Baroness Cornwallis Bacon (age 50), and ask her to forgive him for his disobedience and return him to her favour. Denbigh said Ashburnham was her cousin "though her family be unfortunate".

On 19th April 1632 [his mother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham (age 62) died. She was buried at the Chapel of St Nicholas, Westminster Abbey [Map] with her husband. Their monument comprises an altar-tomb surmounted with effigies. Earl Buckingham extinct.

In or before 1642 Chichester Fortescue (age 25) and [his future wife] Elizabeth Slingsby were married.

On 4th June 1645 [his wife] Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck (age 42) died at Oxford, Oxfordshire [Map]. She was buried at the Church of St Mary the Virgin.

In 1652 [his sister] Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh (age 69) died.

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 format.

Before 18th February 1658 John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck (age 67) and Elizabeth Slingsby were married. He the son of George Villiers of Brokesby and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham.

On 18th February 1658 John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck (age 67) died without issue. Viscount Purbeck extinct although Robert Wright aka Villiers aka Danvers (age 33), illegitimate son of his wife [his former wife] Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck and Robert Howard attempted to claim the title.

In 1695 [his former wife] Elizabeth Slingsby died.

Biography of John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck 1591-1658

Royal Ancestors of John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck 1591-1658

Ancestors of John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck 1591-1658