Biography of George Fitzroy 1st Duke Northumberland 1665-1716

On 28th December 1665 George Fitzroy 1st Duke Northumberland was born illegitimately to [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 35] and [his mother] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland [aged 25] at Merton College, Oxford University.

In 1667 Archbishop William Sancroft [aged 49] was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury at the express wish of [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 36].

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 27th July 1667. At the office all the morning; and at noon to the 'Change [Map], where I met Fenn; and he tells me that Sir John Coventry [aged 31] do bring the confirmation of the peace; but I do not find the 'Change [Map] at all glad of it, but rather the worse, they looking upon it as a peace made only to preserve the [his father] King [aged 37] for a time in his lusts and ease, and to sacrifice trade and his kingdoms only to his own pleasures: so that the hearts of merchants are quite down. He tells me that the King and my [his mother] Baroness Castlemayne [aged 26] are quite broke off, and she is gone away, and is with child, and swears the King shall own it; and she will have it christened in the Chapel at White Hall so, and owned for the King's, as other Kings have done; or she will bring it into White Hall gallery, and dash the brains of it out before the King's face¹.

Note 1. Charles owned only four children by Baroness Castlemaine's - [his illegitimate sister] Anne, Countess of Sussex [aged 6], and the Dukes of [his illegitimate brother] Southampton [aged 5], Grafton [aged 3], and Northumberland [aged 1]. The last of these was born in 1665. The paternity of all her other children was certainly doubtful. See pp. 50,52.

On 7th October 1667 Edgar Stewart 1st Duke Cambridge was created 1st Duke Cambridge by [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 37].

Before July 1669 [his brother-in-law] James Howard [aged 29] and [his illegitimate half-sister] Charlotte Jemima Henrietta Maria Fitzroy Countess Yarmouth [aged 19] were married. She the illegitmate daughter of [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 39] and Elizabeth Killigrew Viscountess Shannon [aged 47].

In 1670 [his mother] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland [aged 29] was created 1st Duchess Cleveland, 1st Countess of Southampton and 1st Baroness Nonsuch by [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 39] for having given birth to five of his illegitimate children.

On 25th May 1671 Henry Wood 1st Baronet [aged 73] died without male issue. Baronet Wood extinct. On 31st May 1671 he was buried at Ufford, Suffolk. His daughter [his future sister-in-law] Mary Wood Duchess Southampton [aged 8] was his heir. In view of the great wealth she was to inherit she was betrothed to [his illegitimate brother] Charles Fitzroy 1st Duke Southampton 2nd Duke Cleveland [aged 8], an illegitmate son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 40] and Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland [aged 30]. On her father's death she went to live with Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland. They, Mary Wood Duchess Southampton and Charles Fitzroy 1st Duke Southampton 2nd Duke Cleveland married 1679 but she died a year later from smallpox.

On 1st August 1672 [his illegitimate brother] Henry Fitzroy 1st Duke Grafton [aged 8] and [his sister-in-law] Isabella Bennet Duchess Grafton [aged 4] were married. She the daughter of Henry Bennet 1st Earl Arlington [aged 54] and Elisabeth Nassau Beverweert Countess Arlington [aged 38]. He the illegitmate son of [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 42] and [his mother] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland [aged 31]. They were half sixth cousins.

He was created 1st Earl Euston, 1st Viscount Ipswich, 1st Baron Sudbury. Isabella Bennet Duchess Grafton by marriage Countess Euston.

Before 1673 [his brother-in-law] William Paston 2nd Earl of Yarmouth [aged 18] and [his illegitimate half-sister] Charlotte Jemima Henrietta Maria Fitzroy Countess Yarmouth [aged 22] were married. She by marriage Countess of Yarmouth. She the illegitmate daughter of [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 42] and Elizabeth Killigrew Viscountess Shannon [aged 50]. He the son of Robert Paston 1st Earl of Yarmouth [aged 41] and Rebecca Clayton Countess Yarmouth [aged 37].

In 1674 [his future brother-in-law] Edward Lee 1st Earl Lichfield [aged 10] was created 1st Earl Lichfield as a consequence of his being betrothed to [his illegitimate sister] Charlotte Fitzroy Countess Lichfield [aged 9], a natural daughter of [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 43].

On 16th May 1674 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Lennard 1st Earl of Sussex [aged 20] and [his illegitimate sister] Anne Fitzroy Countess Sussex [aged 13] were married at Hampton Court Palace, Richmond [Map]. She the illegitmate daughter of [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 43] and [his mother] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland [aged 33]. They were first cousin once removed.

On 1st October 1674 George Fitzroy 1st Duke Northumberland [aged 8] was created 1st Earl of Northumberland, 1st Viscount Falmouth, 1st Baron Pontefract by [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 44].

On 5th October 1674 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Lennard 1st Earl of Sussex [aged 20] was created 1st Earl of Sussex. [his illegitimate sister] Anne Fitzroy Countess Sussex [aged 13] by marriage Countess of Sussex.

On 28th July 1675 [his illegitimate half-brother] Charles "Don Carlo" Fitzcharles 1st Earl Plymouth [aged 18] was created 1st Earl Plymouth, 1st Viscount Totnes, 1st Baron Dartmouth.

On 9th August 1675 [his illegitimate half-brother] Charles Lennox 1st Duke Richmond [aged 3] was created 1st Duke Richmond, 1st Earl March, 1st Baron Settrington by [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 45].

On 11th September 1675 [his illegitimate brother] Henry Fitzroy 1st Duke Grafton [aged 11] was created 1st Duke Grafton by [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 45]. [his sister-in-law] Isabella Bennet Duchess Grafton [aged 7] by marriage Duchess Grafton.

On 21st December 1676 [his illegitimate half-brother] Charles Beauclerk 1st Duke St Albans [aged 6] was created 1st Earl Burford, 1st Baron Heddington by [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 46].

On 6th February 1677 [his brother-in-law] Edward Lee 1st Earl Lichfield [aged 14] and [his illegitimate sister] Charlotte Fitzroy Countess Lichfield [aged 12] were married. She by marriage Countess Lichfield. She the illegitmate daughter of [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 46] and [his mother] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland [aged 36]. He the son of Francis Lee 4th Baronet and Elizabeth Pope Countess Lindsey. They were third cousins.

On 19th September 1678 [his illegitimate half-brother] Charles "Don Carlo" Fitzcharles 1st Earl Plymouth [aged 21] and [his sister-in-law] Bridget Osborne Countess Plymouth were married in Wimbledon, Surrey. She by marriage Countess Plymouth. She the daughter of Thomas Osborne 1st Duke Leeds [aged 46] and Bridget Bertie Duchess Leeds [aged 49]. He the illegitmate son of [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 48] and Catherine Pegge [aged 43].

In 1679 John Robartes 1st Earl Radnor [aged 73] was created 1st Earl Radnor, 1st Viscount Bodmin by [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 48] in reward for having supported Charles' brother James II King England, Scotland and Ireland 1633-1701's future accession. Letitia Isabella Smythe Countess Radnor [aged 49] by marriage Countess Radnor.

In 1679 [his illegitimate brother] Charles Fitzroy 1st Duke Southampton 2nd Duke Cleveland [aged 16] and [his sister-in-law] Mary Wood Duchess Southampton [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Duchess Southampton. He the illegitmate son of [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 48] and [his mother] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland [aged 38].

On 17th November 1681 Jean Chardin [aged 38] was knighted at Whitehall Palace [Map] by [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 51]. The same day Jean Chardin and Esther Lardinière Peigné were married.

On 2nd December 1682 Henry Somerset 1st Duke Beaufort [aged 53] was created 1st Duke Beaufort by [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 52]. Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort [aged 52] by marriage Duchess Beaufort.

On 6th April 1683 George Fitzroy 1st Duke Northumberland [aged 17] was created 1st Duke Northumberland by [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 52].

In 1684 [his illegitimate half-sister] Charlotte Jemima Henrietta Maria Fitzroy Countess Yarmouth [aged 34] died.

On 5th January 1684 [his illegitimate half-brother] Charles Beauclerk 1st Duke St Albans [aged 13] was created 1st Duke St Albans by [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 53].

On 10th January 1684 George Fitzroy 1st Duke Northumberland [aged 18] was appointed 489th Knight of the Garter by [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 53].

John Evelyn's Diary. 30th March 1684. Easter day. The Bp. of Rochester [Dr. Turner] [aged 46] preach'd before, the [his father] King [aged 53] after which his Ma*, accompanied with three of his natural sonns, the Dukes of Northumberland [aged 18], [his illegitimate half-brother] Richmond [aged 11], and St. Alban's [aged 13] (sons of Cleaveland [aged 43], Portsmouth [aged 34] and Nelly [aged 34] respectively), went up to the Altar; ye three boyes entering before the King within the railes, at the right hand, and three Bishops on the left, viz. London [aged 52] (who officiated), Durham [aged 51], and Rochester, with the Sub-dean Dr. Holder. the King kneeling before the Altar, taking his offering, the Bishop first receiv'd, and then his Ma* after which he retir'd to a canopied seate on the right hand. Note, there was perfume burnt before the Office began. I had receiv'd ye Sacrament at Whitehall early with the Lords and Household, ye Bp. of London officiating. Then went to St. Martin's [Map], where Dr. Tenison [aged 47] preach'd (recover'd from ye small-pox); then went againe to Whitehall as above. In the afternoone went to St. Martin's againe.

John Evelyn's Diary. 24th October 1684. I din'd at Sir Stephen Fox's [aged 57] with the Duke of Northumberland [aged 18]. He seem'd to be a young gentleman of good capacity, well bred, civil, and modest: newly come from travell, and had made his campaigne at the siege of Luxemburg. Of all his [his father] Ma*s [aged 54] children (of which he had now six Dukes) this seem'd the most accomplish'd and worth the owning. He is extraordinary handsome and well shap'd. What ye Dukes of [his illegitimate half-brother] Richmond [aged 12] and St. Alban's [aged 14] will prove, their youth does not yet discover; they are very pretty boys.

John Evelyn's Diary. 18th December 1684. I went with Lord Cornwallis [aged 28] to see the young gallants do their exercise, Mr. Faubert having newly rail'd in a manage, and fitted it for the academy. There were the Dukes of Norfolk [aged 29] and Northumberland [aged 18], Lord Newburgh, and a nephew of (Duras) Earle of Feversham [aged 43]. The exercises were, 1. running at the ring; 2. flinging a javelin at a Moor's head; 3. discharging a pistol at a mark; lastly, taking up a gauntlet with the point of a sword; all these perform'd in full speede. The D. of Northumberland hardly miss'd of succeeding in every one, a dozen times, as I think. The D. of Norfolk did exceeding bravely. Lords Newburgh and Duras seem'd nothing so dextrous. Here I saw the difference of what ye French call "belle homme a cheval", and "bon homme a cheval;" the Duke of Norfolk being the first, that is, rather a fine person on a horse, the Duke of Northumberland being both in perfection, namely, a graceful person and excellent rider. But the Duke of Norfolk told me he had not ben at this exercise these 12 yeares before. There were in the field ye Prince of Denmark [aged 31], and the Lord Landsdown [aged 23], sonn of ye Earle of Bath [aged 56], who had ben made a Count of ye Empire last Summer for his service before Vienna.

In 1686 John Talbot [aged 21] was killed in a duel by [his illegitimate brother] Henry Fitzroy 1st Duke Grafton [aged 22].

In March 1686 George Fitzroy 1st Duke Northumberland [aged 20] and Catherine Wheatley were married. Soon after the marriage Northumberland and his brother, Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton [aged 22], allegedly attempted to privately convey her abroad to an English convent in Ghent [Map], Belgium. He the illegitmate son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland and Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland [aged 45].

John Evelyn's Diary. 29th March 1686. The Duke of Northumberland [aged 20] (a natural son of the [his father] late King by the [his mother] Dutchess of Cleaveland [aged 45]) marrying very meanly, with the helpe of his [his illegitimate brother] brother Grafton [aged 22], attempted to spirit away his wife.

On 8th January 1692 [his illegitimate half-brother] Charles Lennox 1st Duke Richmond [aged 19] and [his sister-in-law] Anne Brudenell Duchess Richmond [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Duchess Richmond. He the illegitmate son of [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland and Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 42].

In 1694 [his illegitimate brother] Charles Fitzroy 1st Duke Southampton 2nd Duke Cleveland [aged 31] and [his sister-in-law] Anne Pulteney Duchess Southampton Duchess of Cleveland [aged 30] were married. She by marriage Duchess Southampton. He the illegitmate son of [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland and [his mother] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland [aged 53].

On 17th April 1694 [his illegitimate half-brother] Charles Beauclerk 1st Duke St Albans [aged 23] and [his sister-in-law] Diana Vere Duchess St Albans [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Duchess St Albans. She the daughter of Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford [aged 67] and Diana Kirke Countess of Oxford. He the illegitmate son of [his father] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland and Nell Gwyn.

On 25th November 1705 Robert "Beau Handsome" Fielding [aged 55] and [his mother] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland [aged 64] were married bigamously. She the daughter of [his grandfather] William Villiers 2nd Viscount Grandison and [his grandmother] Mary Bayning Countess Anglesey.

On 9th October 1709 [his mother] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland [aged 68] died at Chiswick Mall. Her son [his illegitimate brother] Charles [aged 47] succeeded 2nd Duke Cleveland, 2nd Earl of Southampton and 2nd Baron Nonsuch. [his sister-in-law] Anne Pulteney Duchess Southampton Duchess of Cleveland [aged 45] by marriage Duchess Cleveland.

On 28th June 1716 George Fitzroy 1st Duke Northumberland [aged 50] died at Epsom, Surrey without legitimate issue. Duke Northumberland, Earl of Northumberland, Viscount Falmouth, Baron Pontefract extinct.