Cassandra Willoughby, Duchess of Chandos
Encyclopedia
Cassandra Willoughby, Duchess of Chandos (23 April 1670 – 16 July 1735) was a British historian, travel writer and artist.
She was the daughter of Francis Willoughby
of Wollaton
, Nottinghamshire, a Fellow of the Royal Society
, and a writer on natural history, and his wife Emma, the daughter of Sir Henry Barnard of Bridgnorth, Shropshire and London. In 1713, at the age of forty-three, Cassandra became the second wife of her wealthy cousin, James Brydges
, FRS, whose mother was a Barnard. Brydges' social standing rose the following year when he was made Earl of Carnarvon
and inherited a barony and baronetcy when his father, the 8th Baron Chandos of Sudeley
, died; in 1719 he became Duke of Chandos
, and Cassandra the Duchess.
The National Gallery of Canada
has a portrait of Cassandra and her husband by Sir Godfrey Kneller
dated 1713 which also features Brydges' two sons by his first wife.
Cassandra died childless aged sixty-five, and was buried at St Lawrence, Whitchurch
near the ducal seat Cannons
.
Record Office, at the North London Collegiate School
and the Huntington Library and Art Gallery, in San Marino, California
. In addition, there are travel writings and genealogies.
She was the daughter of Francis Willoughby
Francis Willughby
thumbnail|200px|right|A page from the Ornithologia, showing [[Jackdaw]], [[Chough]], [[European Magpie|Magpie]] and [[Eurasian Jay|Jay]], all [[Corvidae|crows]]....
of Wollaton
Wollaton
Wollaton is an area in the western part of Nottingham, England. It is home to Wollaton Hall with its museum, deer park, lake, walks and golf course...
, Nottinghamshire, a Fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
, and a writer on natural history, and his wife Emma, the daughter of Sir Henry Barnard of Bridgnorth, Shropshire and London. In 1713, at the age of forty-three, Cassandra became the second wife of her wealthy cousin, James Brydges
James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos
James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos, MP, PC was the first of fourteen children by Sir James Brydges, 3rd Baronet of Wilton Castle, Sheriff of Herefordshire, 8th Baron Chandos; and Elizabeth Barnard...
, FRS, whose mother was a Barnard. Brydges' social standing rose the following year when he was made Earl of Carnarvon
Earl of Carnarvon
Earl of Carnarvon is a title that has been created three times in British history. The first creation came in the Peerage of England in 1628 in favour of Robert Dormer, 2nd Baron Dormer. For more information on this creation, which became extinct in 1709, see the Baron Dormer.The title was created...
and inherited a barony and baronetcy when his father, the 8th Baron Chandos of Sudeley
James Brydges, 8th Baron Chandos
James Brydges, 8th Baron Chandos was English Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.A graduate of St John's College, Oxford Brydges became 3rd Baronet, of Wilton, Herefordshire in 1651 and 8th Baron Chandos of Sudeley in 1686 following the death of his relative William Brydges.Lord Chandos had...
, died; in 1719 he became Duke of Chandos
Duke of Chandos
The title Baron Chandos has been created twice in the Peerage of England. It was first created in 1337 when Roger de Chandos was summoned to parliament. It became extinct on his death....
, and Cassandra the Duchess.
The National Gallery of Canada
National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada , located in the capital city Ottawa, Ontario, is one of Canada's premier art galleries.The Gallery is now housed in a glass and granite building on Sussex Drive with a notable view of the Canadian Parliament buildings on Parliament Hill. The acclaimed structure was...
has a portrait of Cassandra and her husband by Sir Godfrey Kneller
Godfrey Kneller
Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1st Baronet was the leading portrait painter in England during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and was court painter to British monarchs from Charles II to George I...
dated 1713 which also features Brydges' two sons by his first wife.
Cassandra died childless aged sixty-five, and was buried at St Lawrence, Whitchurch
Whitchurch, London
Little Stanmore is a locality in the London Borough of Harrow in London, England.-Toponymy:Little Stanmore was named to distinguish it from Great Stanmore, which is now known as Stanmore. The parish was also known as Whitchurch. Whitchurch is a common English place-name meaning 'white church', and...
near the ducal seat Cannons
Cannons (house)
Cannons was a stately home in Little Stanmore, Middlesex built for James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos between 1713 and 1724 at a cost of £200,000 but which in 1747 was razed and its contents dispersed....
.
Writings
Before she married she compiled a history of her father's family she titled The Continuation of the History of the Willoughby Family which is preserved in the Manuscripts Department at Nottingham University Library. Some of her correspondence from before and after her marriage has been preserved at the Shakespeare Birthplace TrustShakespeare Birthplace Trust
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is an independent registered educational charity based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, that came into existence in 1847 following the purchase of William Shakespeare's birthplace for preservation as a national memorial. It can also lay claim to be...
Record Office, at the North London Collegiate School
North London Collegiate School
North London Collegiate School is an independent day school for girls founded in 1850 in Camden Town, and now in the London Borough of Harrow.The Good Schools Guide called the school an "Academically stunning outer London school in a glorious setting which, in 2003, demonstrated its refusal to rest...
and the Huntington Library and Art Gallery, in San Marino, California
San Marino, California
San Marino is a small, affluent city in Los Angeles County, California. Incorporated in 1913, the City founders designed the community to be uniquely residential, with expansive properties surrounded by beautiful gardens, wide streets, and well maintained parkways...
. In addition, there are travel writings and genealogies.