Biography of Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland 1576-1612

Before 1572 [his father] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland (age 20) and [his mother] Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland (age 18) were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland and [his grandmother] Margaret Neville Countess Rutland.

On 6th October 1576 Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland was born to [his father] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland (age 25) and [his mother] Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland (age 23) probably at Kirk Deighton Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

On 19th October 1576 Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland was baptised at Kirk Deighton Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

On 14th April 1587 [his uncle] Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland (age 37) died at his home Ivy Bridge on the Strand [Map] or at Puddle Wharf aka Dock [Map]. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His daughter Elizabeth (age 12) succeeded 15th Baroness Ros Helmsley. His brother [his father] John (age 36) succeeded 4th Earl of Rutland. [his mother] Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland (age 34) by marriage Countess of Rutland. He would be Earl for ten months only dying on 24 Feb 1588.

Robert Constable (age 65) was one of the principal mourners at his funeral.

On 24th February 1588 [his father] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland (age 37) died. His son Roger (age 11) succeeded 5th Earl of Rutland.

Around 21st March 1595 [his mother] Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland (age 42) died. She was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map].

On 5th March 1599 Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland (age 22) and Elizabeth Sidney Countess Rutland (age 14) were married. She by marriage Countess of Rutland. Childless, unhappy and possibly not consummated. She the daughter of Philip Sidney and Frances Walsingham Countess Essex (age 32). He the son of John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland.

On 6th May 1602 [his brother] Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland (age 24) and [his sister-in-law] Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill (age 36) were married. He the son of [his father] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and [his mother] Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland.

In 1603 [his brother-in-law] Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex (age 11) and Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset (age 12) were married. They were separated after the wedding given their young age. Essex went on a European tour from 1607 to 1609. When he returned she avoided him having fallen for Robert Carr 1st Earl Somerset (age 16) whilst her husband was away. He was ill with smallpox. She sought an annulment with her father Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex and uncle Henry Howard 1st Earl of Northampton (age 62) acting for her. She maintained the marriage had not been consummated and was examined by ten matrons and two midwives who found her hymen intact. It was widely rumoured at the time that Sir Thomas Monson's (age 38) daughter was a substitute, which is possible because she had requested to be veiled during the examination "for modesty's sake". He maintained he was capable with other women, but was unable to consummate his marriage blaming her. She the daughter of Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 41) and Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 39). He the son of Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex and [his mother-in-law] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex (age 36). They were fourth cousins.

On or after 4th February 1603, the date of the license, [his brother-in-law] William Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby of Parham (age 19) and [his sister] Frances Manners Baroness Willoughby of Parham (age 14) were married. She by marriage Baroness Willoughby Parham. She the daughter of [his father] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and [his mother] Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland. They were fifth cousin once removed.

In 1604 [his brother-in-law] Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex (age 12) was restored 3rd Earl Essex, 4th Viscount Hereford, 13th Baron Ferrers of Chartley, 10th Baron Bourchier although it isn't clear whether the latter three titles were forfeit when his father was executed in 1601. Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset (age 13) by marriage Countess Essex.

On 3rd March 1605 [his brother] George Manners 7th Earl of Rutland (age 25) and [his sister-in-law] Frances Carey Countess Rutland (age 34) were married. He the son of [his father] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and [his mother] Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.

After 26th October 1608 [his brother] Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland (age 30) and [his sister-in-law] Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland were married. He the son of [his father] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and [his mother] Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland.

After 24th March 1611 [his brother-in-law] Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex (age 20) was appointed Privy Counciller.

In 1612 [his wife] Elizabeth Sidney Countess Rutland (age 27) died. She was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map].

On 26th June 1612 Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland (age 35) died. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His brother [his brother] Francis (age 34) succeeded 6th Earl of Rutland. [his sister-in-law] Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland by marriage Countess of Rutland.

After 26th June 1612. Elizabethan Period monument to Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland (deceased) and [his former wife] Elizabeth Sidney Countess Rutland at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map] sculpted by Nicholas Johnson. Cost £150 including carriage by sea from London to Boston [Map].

Elizabeth Sidney Countess Rutland: In 1585 she was born to Philip Sidney and Frances Walsingham Countess Essex. On 5th March 1599 Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland and she were married. She by marriage Countess of Rutland. Childless, unhappy and possibly not consummated. She the daughter of Philip Sidney and Frances Walsingham Countess Essex. He the son of John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland. In 1612 Elizabeth Sidney Countess Rutland died. She was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map].