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Biography of Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset 1622-1677

Paternal Family Tree: Sackville

In 1612 [his father] Edward Sackville 4th Earl Dorset (age 21) and [his mother] Mary Curzon Countess Dorset (age 22) were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Robert Sackville 2nd Earl Dorset and [his grandmother] Margaret Howard.

On 16 Sep 1622 Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset was born to Edward Sackville 4th Earl Dorset (age 31) and Mary Curzon Countess Dorset (age 32) at Dorset House.

Before 1637 Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 14) and Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 14) were married. She the daughter of Lionel Cranfield 1st Earl Middlesex (age 61) and Anne Brett Countess Middlesex. He the son of Edward Sackville 4th Earl Dorset (age 45) and Mary Curzon Countess Dorset (age 46).

In 1640 Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 17) was elected MP East Grinstead which seat he held until 1643.

In 1642 Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 19) was arrested and subsequently fined £1500 in 1644.

On 24 Jan 1643 [his son] Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex was born to Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 20) and [his wife] Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 21).

On 16 May 1645 [his mother] Mary Curzon Countess Dorset (age 55) died.

On 06 Aug 1645 [his father-in-law] Lionel Cranfield 1st Earl Middlesex (age 70) died. His son [his brother-in-law] James Cranfield 2nd Earl Middlesex (age 24) succeeded 2nd Earl Middlesex, 2nd Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Bedfordshire.

On 03 Mar 1646 [his brother-in-law] James Cranfield 2nd Earl Middlesex (age 25) and Anne Bourchier Countess Middlesex (age 15) were married. She by marriage Countess Middlesex. She the daughter of Edward Bourchier 4th Earl Bath and Dorothy St John Countess Bath. He the son of [his father-in-law] Lionel Cranfield 1st Earl Middlesex and [his mother-in-law] Anne Brett Countess Middlesex.

On 04 Feb 1648 [his daughter] Mary Sackville Countess Orrery was born to Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 25) and [his wife] Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 26).

Around 1650. Robert Walker (age 51). Portrait of Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 27).

On 17 Jun 1650 [his daughter] Anne Sackville Countess Home was born to Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 27) and [his wife] Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 28).

On 16 Sep 1651 [his brother-in-law] James Cranfield 2nd Earl Middlesex (age 30) died. His brother [his brother-in-law] Lionel Cranfield 3rd Earl Middlesex (age 26) succeeded 3rd Earl Middlesex, 3rd Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Bedfordshire.

On 17 Jul 1652 [his father] Edward Sackville 4th Earl Dorset (age 61) died. His son Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 29) succeeded 5th Earl Dorset, 5th Baron Buckhurst. [his wife] Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 30) by marriage Countess Dorset.

On 01 May 1655 [his brother-in-law] Lionel Cranfield 3rd Earl Middlesex (age 30) and Rachael Fane Countess Bath and Middlesex (age 42) were married at St Bride's Church. She by marriage Countess Middlesex. She the daughter of Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland. He the son of [his father-in-law] Lionel Cranfield 1st Earl Middlesex and [his mother-in-law] Anne Brett Countess Middlesex.

In 1660 Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 37) was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 09 Feb 1660. Thence to Westminster Hall, where I heard an action very finely pleaded between my Lord Dorset (age 37) and some other noble persons, his [his wife] lady (age 38) and other ladies of quality being here, and it was about; £330 per annum, that was to be paid to a poor Spittal, which was given by some of his predecessors; and given on his side.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 20 Feb 1660. Monday. In the morning at my lute. Then to my office, where my partner and I made even our balance. Took him home to dinner with me, where my brother John (age 19) came to dine with me. After dinner I took him to my study at home and at my Lord's, and gave him some books and other things against his going to Cambridge. After he was gone I went forth to Westminster Hall [Map], where I met with Chetwind, Simons, and Gregory. And with them to Marsh's at Whitehall to drink, and staid there a pretty while reading a pamphlet1 well writ and directed to General Monk (age 51), in praise of the form of monarchy which was settled here before the wars. They told me how the Speaker Lenthall (age 68) do refuse to sign the writs for choice of new members in the place of the excluded; and by that means the writs could not go out to-day. In the evening Simons and I to the Coffee Club, where nothing to do only I heard Mr. Harrington (age 49), and my Lord of Dorset (age 37) and another Lord, talking of getting another place as the Cockpit [Map], and they did believe it would come to something. After a small debate upon the question whether learned or unlearned subjects are the best the Club broke up very poorly, and I do not think they will meet any more. Hence with Vines, &c. to Will's, and after a pot or two home, and so to bed.

Note 1. This pamphlet is among the Thomason Collection of Civil War Tracts (British Museum), and dated in MS. this same day, February 20th- "A Plea for Limited Monarchy as it was established in this Nation before the late War. In an Humble Address to his Excellency General Monck. By a Zealot for the good old Laws of his Country, before any Faction or Caprice, with additions". "An Eccho to the Plea for Limited Monarchy, &c"., was published soon afterwards.

On 13 Jun 1661 [his brother-in-law] Lionel Cranfield 3rd Earl Middlesex (age 36) and Rachael Fane Countess Bath and Middlesex (age 48) were divorced by decree of the Court of Arches having previously obtained a royal warrant dated 19 Mar 1661 to retain her precedency as Countess of Bath.

Hudibras On Samuel Butler Author of Hudibras. Lord Dorset (age 40) is said to have first introduced Hudibras to court. November 11, 1662, the author obtained an imprimatur, signed J. Berkenhead, for printing his poem; accordingly in the following year he published the first part, containing 125 pages. Sir Roger L'Estrange granted an imprimatur for the second part of Hudibras, by the author of the first, November 5, 1663, and it was printed by T. R. for John Martin, 1664.

In 1665 Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 42) was elected Fellow of the Royal Society.

John Evelyn's Diary. 18 Oct 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.

After 1671 [his son-in-law] George Lane 1st Viscount Lanesborough (age 51) and [his daughter] Frances Sackville Viscountess Lanesborough were married. She the daughter of Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 48) and [his wife] Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 49).

On 19 Apr 1671 [his son-in-law] Alexander Home 4th Earl of Home and [his daughter] Anne Sackville Countess Home (age 20) were married. She by marriage Countess of Home. She the daughter of Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 48) and [his wife] Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 49). He the son of James Home 3rd Earl of Home and Jean Douglas Countess Home.

John Evelyn's Diary. 25 Jul 1673. In my way, I saw my Lord of Dorset's (age 50) house at Knowle, near Sevenoaks, a great old-fashioned house.

In Jun 1674 [his son] Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex (age 31) and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset (age 29) were married. He the son of Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 51) and [his wife] Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 52).

On 26 Oct 1674 [his brother-in-law] Lionel Cranfield 3rd Earl Middlesex (age 49) died without issue. Earl Middlesex, Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Bedfordshire extinct.

In 1675 [his son] Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex (age 31) was created 1st Earl Middlesex, 1st Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex. His mother [his wife] Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 53) was sister to the last Earl of Middlesex of the previous creation [his brother-in-law] Lionel Cranfield 3rd Earl Middlesex whose estates he had inherited.

On 27 Aug 1677 Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 54) died. His son [his son] Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex (age 34) succeeded 6th Earl Dorset, 6th Baron Buckhurst. [his daughter-in-law] Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset (age 32) by marriage Countess Dorset.

In 1687 [his former wife] Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 65) died.

Letters of Horace Walpole. 05 Aug 1752. From Sevenoaks [Map] we went to Knowle. The park is sweet, with much old beech, and an immense sycamore before the great gate, that makes me more in love than ever with sycamores. The house is not near so extensive as I expected:330 the outward court has a beautiful decent simplicity that charms one. The apartments are many, but not large. The furniture throughout, ancient magnificence; loads of portraits, not good nor curious; ebony cabinets, embossed silver in vases, dishes, etc. embroidered beds, stiff chairs, and sweet bags lying on velvet tables, richly worked in silk and gold. There are two galleries, one very small; an old hall, and a spacious great drawing-room. There is never a good staircase. The first little room you enter has sundry portraits of the times; but they seem to have been bespoke by the yard, and drawn all by the same painter; One should be happy if they were authentic; for among them there is Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, Gardiner of Winchester, the Earl of Surry, the poet, when a boy, and a Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, but I don't know which. The only fine picture is of Lord Goring and Endymion Porter by Vandyke. There is a good head of the Queen of Bohemia, a whole-length of Duc d'Espernon, and another good head of the Clifford, Countess of Dorset, who wrote that admirable haughty letter to Secretary Williamson, when he recommended a person to her for member for Appleby: "I have been bullied by an usurper, I have been neglected by a court, but I won't be dictated to by a subject: your man shan't stand. Ann Dorset, Pembroke and Montgomery." In the chapel is a piece of ancient tapestry: Saint Luke in his first profession is holding an urinal. Below stairs is a chamber of poets and players, which is proper enough in that house; for the first Earl wrote a play331, and the last [his son] Earl was a poet332, and I think married a player333 Major Mohun and Betterton are curious among the latter, Cartwright and Flatman among the former. The arcade is newly enclosed, painted in fresco, and with modern glass of all the family matches. In the gallery is a whole-length of the unfortunate Earl of Surry, with his device, a broken column, and the motto Sat superest. My father had one of them, but larger, and with more emblems, which the Duke of Norfolk bought at my brother's sale. There is one good head of henry VIII, and divers of [his former father-in-law] Cranfield, Earl of Middlesex, the citizen who came to be lord treasurer, and was very near coming to be hanged.334 His [his former mother-in-law] Countess, a bouncing kind of lady-mayoress, looks pure awkward amongst so much good company. A visto cut through the wood has a delightful effect from the front: but there are some trumpery fragments of gardens that spoil the view from the state apartments.

Note 329. Only son of Dr. Richard Bentley, the celebrated Divine and classical scholar. He was educated at Trinity College, under his father. Cumberland, who was his nephew, describes him as a man of various and considerable accomplishments; possessing a fine genius, great wit, and a brilliant imagination; "but there was," he adds, "a certain eccentricity and want of prudence in his character, that involved him in distresses, and reduced him to situations uncongenial with his feelings, and unpropitious to the cultivation and encouragement of his talents."-E.

Note 330. Evelyn in his Diary for July 25, 1673, says, "In my way I visited my Lord of Dorset's house at Knowle, near Sevenoaks, a greate old-fashion'd house."-E.

Note 331. Thomas Sackville, Lord Buckhurst, while a student in the Temple, wrote his tragedy of Gordobuc, which was played before Queen Elizabeth, at Whitehall, in 1561. He was created Earl of Dorset by James the First, in 1604.-E.

Note 332. Charles Sackville, sixth Earl of Dorset. On the day previous to the naval engagement with the Dutch, in 1665, he is said to have composed his celebrated song, "to all you Ladies now on Land."-E.

Note 333. On the contrary, he married the Lady Frances, daughter of the Earl of Middlesex, who survived him.-E. [Note. This appears to be a mistake insofar as Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset married [his former wife] Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset who was the daughter of Lionel Cranfield 1st Earl Middlesex. Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex married firstly [his former daughter-in-law] Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset and secondly [his former daughter-in-law] Mary Compton Countess Dorset and Middlesex. There, however, references to his marrying an actress Alice Lee with whom he appear to have had a daughter [his granddaughter] Mary Sackville Countess Orrery.]

Note 334. Lionel Cranfield, Earl of Middlesex, married two wives: the first was the daughter of a London citizen; the second, the daughter of James Brett, Esq. and half-sister of Mary Beaumont, created Countess of Buckingham. To this last alliance, Lord Middlesex owed his extraordinary advancement.-E.

[his daughter] Frances Sackville Viscountess Lanesborough was born to Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset and Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset.

Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset 1622-1677 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk 1473-1554

Royal Ancestors of Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset 1622-1677

Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 14 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 11 Grand Son of Philip IV King France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Ancestors of Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset 1622-1677

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Sackville of Buckhurst 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Sackville 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Digges

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Sackville 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Boleyn 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Boleyn 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Butler 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Sackville 1st Earl Dorset 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Brydges

Great x 2 Grandmother: Winifred Brydges Marchioness Winchester

Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Ayloffe

GrandFather: Robert Sackville 2nd Earl Dorset 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Baker

Great x 1 Grandmother: Cicely Baker Countess Dorset

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Dinley

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Dinley

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Dinley

Father: Edward Sackville 4th Earl Dorset 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Howard 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Percy Duchess Buckingham 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John de Vere 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Colbroke

Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Vere Countess of Surrey 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Trussell

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Trussell Countess of Oxford 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Donne 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

GrandMother: Margaret Howard 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Audley

Great x 3 Grandfather: Geoffrey Audley

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Audley 1st Baron Audley Walden

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Audley Duchess Norfolk 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Grey Baroness Audley 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Wotton of Boughton Malherbe

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset

Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: George Curzon

GrandFather: George Curzon 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Babington

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Babington of Dethick

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Bradbourne

Great x 2 Grandfather: Rowland Babington 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Fitzherbert 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Edith Fitzherbert 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Marshall

Great x 1 Grandmother: Katherine Babington 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Ridge

Mother: Mary Curzon Countess Dorset 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England