Elizabeth Boyle, Countess of Guilford
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Boyle, Countess of Guilford (née Feilding; died c. 3 September 1667) was an English
peeress. She was created 1st Countess of Guildford
for life
at the Restoration
on 14 July 1660, which became extinct upon her death c. 3 September 1667. She held the office of Groom of the Stole
and Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Dowager, Henrietta Maria
.
(later created 1st Earl of Denbigh
) and his wife Susan Villiers
, herself sister to the royal favourite
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
. William Feilding benefited greatly from his brother-in-law's rise in court, receiving various offices and dignities. He married circa 1607 and was invested as a knight
around the same time, in March 1606/7. He was then created 1st Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in 1620, and 1st Earl of Denbigh and 1st Viscount Feilding on 14 September 1622.
Elizabeth Feilding had two sisters and two brothers which survived infancy. Her brother Basil
, born ca. 1608, became the 2nd Earl of Denbigh upon their father's death. Her sister Margaret, also known as Mary, born ca. 1613, married James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton
, and was the mother of Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton
. Her brother George
, born ca. 1614, became the 1st Earl of Desmond.
In the early 1620s, her maternal grandmother Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham
, converted to Roman Catholicism, which probably influenced other members of the family including her mother, Susan
, who coverted to Catholicism after the death of her husband. Elizabeth and her sister Mary were known to be devout Catholics.
On 21 January, either 1639 or 1640, Lady Elizabeth appeared as a masque
in Salmacida Spolia
.
, Whitehall
to an Anglo-Irish
peer: Lewis "the Valiant" Boyle, 1st Viscount Boyle of Kinalmeaky
, the second son of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork
. As a result of her marriage, she was styled as Viscountess Boyle of Kinalmeaky. Her sisters-in-law included Lady Alice Boyle and Lady Sarah Boyle, and her brothers-in-law included Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Burlington
; Robert Boyle
; and Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery
.
The marriage was brief, lasting less than three years; she was soon left a widow
by her husband's death in 1642. Lord Kinalmeaky was killed at the battle of Liscarroll
, at the start of the Irish Confederate Wars
. She never remarried.
, who refers to her often, with special fondness, in his letters. Eventually he sent her away to England
, for safety's sake. "God knows," he writes, "with what grief of soul I part with her."
Her father fought in the English Civil War
, as a Royalist
.
Lady Kinalmeaky became a Roman Catholic and shared for some years Queen Henrietta Maria
's exile
in France
along with her mother, the Countess of Denbigh
, who also attended the Queen. While in France she had charge of Margaret Blagge, daughter of Colonel Thomas Blagge
and eventually wife of Sidney Godolphin
and mother of Francis Godolphin
. John Evelyn
, author of the book The Life of Mrs Godolphin, depicts Lady Guilford as a harsh, overly religious governess.
After the Restoration
, she was made Countess of Guildford for life by Charles II
on the 14 July 1660. She also held the office of Groom of the Stole
and Lady of the Bedchamber to Henrietta Maria
, then the Queen-Mother.
She died without issue c. 3 September 1667 at Colombes
, France. Her will (dated 2 September 1667) was probated on 20 November 1667. Upon her death, the earldom of Guildford
became extinct.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
peeress. She was created 1st Countess of Guildford
Earl of Guilford
Earl of Guilford is a title that has been created three times in British history. The title was created for the first time in the Peerage of England in 1660 for Elizabeth Boyle. She was the daughter of William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh, and the widow of Lewis Boyle, 1st Viscount Boyle of...
for life
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
at the Restoration
English Restoration
The Restoration of the English monarchy began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II after the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
on 14 July 1660, which became extinct upon her death c. 3 September 1667. She held the office of Groom of the Stole
Groom of the Stole
Groom of the Stole in the British Royal Household is a position dating from the Stuart era but which evolved from the earlier Groom of the Stool, an office in existence until the accession of Elizabeth I. The original nomenclature derived from the chair used in the performance of the function...
and Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Dowager, Henrietta Maria
Henrietta Maria of France
Henrietta Maria of France ; was the Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland as the wife of King Charles I...
.
Family
She was born Elizabeth Feilding, the daughter of Sir William FeildingWilliam Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh
William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh was an English naval officer and courtier.William Feilding was the son of Basil Fielding of Newnham Paddox in Warwickshire, , and of Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Walter Aston and his wife, Elizabeth Leveson.The descent of the Feildings from the house of Habsburg,...
(later created 1st Earl of Denbigh
Earl of Denbigh
Earl of Denbigh is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1622 for the courtier and soldier William Feilding, 1st Viscount Feilding. He was Master of the Great Wardrobe under King James I and also took part in the Expedition to Cádiz of 1625...
) and his wife Susan Villiers
Susan Feilding, Countess of Denbigh
Susan Feilding, Countess of Denbigh was an English courtier. She was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Henrietta Maria....
, herself sister to the royal favourite
Favourite
A favourite , or favorite , was the intimate companion of a ruler or other important person. In medieval and Early Modern Europe, among other times and places, the term is used of individuals delegated significant political power by a ruler...
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham KG was the favourite, claimed by some to be the lover, of King James I of England. Despite a very patchy political and military record, he remained at the height of royal favour for the first two years of the reign of Charles I, until he was assassinated...
. William Feilding benefited greatly from his brother-in-law's rise in court, receiving various offices and dignities. He married circa 1607 and was invested as a knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
around the same time, in March 1606/7. He was then created 1st Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in 1620, and 1st Earl of Denbigh and 1st Viscount Feilding on 14 September 1622.
Elizabeth Feilding had two sisters and two brothers which survived infancy. Her brother Basil
Basil Feilding, 2nd Earl of Denbigh
Basil Feilding, 2nd Earl of Denbigh was the eldest son of William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh.Like his father, the son was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He was summoned to the House of Lords as Baron Feilding in March 1629...
, born ca. 1608, became the 2nd Earl of Denbigh upon their father's death. Her sister Margaret, also known as Mary, born ca. 1613, married James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton
James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton
General Sir James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton KG was a Scottish nobleman and influential Civil war military leader.-Young Arran:...
, and was the mother of Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton
Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton
Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton was a Scottish peeress.The daughter of Sir James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton and 3rd Marquess of Hamilton, Scottish General and premier peer of the realm, and Lady Mary Feilding, daughter of William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh and Lady Susan Villiers, a...
. Her brother George
George Feilding, 1st Earl of Desmond
George Feilding, 1st Earl of Desmond was an Irish peer and the second son of William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh.Lord Desmond married Bridget Stanhope, daughter of Sir Michael Stanhope, with whom he had one child:...
, born ca. 1614, became the 1st Earl of Desmond.
In the early 1620s, her maternal grandmother Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham
Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham
Mary Villers, Countess of Buckingham is perhaps best known as the mother of the royal favourite Sir George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. She was the daughter of Anthony Beaumont of Glenfield, Leicestershire, a direct descendant of Henry de Beaumont.She became the second wife of Sir George...
, converted to Roman Catholicism, which probably influenced other members of the family including her mother, Susan
Susan Feilding, Countess of Denbigh
Susan Feilding, Countess of Denbigh was an English courtier. She was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Henrietta Maria....
, who coverted to Catholicism after the death of her husband. Elizabeth and her sister Mary were known to be devout Catholics.
On 21 January, either 1639 or 1640, Lady Elizabeth appeared as a masque
Masque
The masque was a form of festive courtly entertainment which flourished in 16th and early 17th century Europe, though it was developed earlier in Italy, in forms including the intermedio...
in Salmacida Spolia
Salmacida Spolia
Salmacida Spolia was the last masque performed at the English Court before the outbreak of the English Civil War. Written by Sir William Davenant, with costumes, sets, and stage effects designed by Inigo Jones and with music by Lewis Richard, it was performed at Whitehall Palace on January 21,...
.
Marriage
On 26 December 1639, Elizabeth was married at Chapel RoyalChapel Royal
A Chapel Royal is a body of priests and singers who serve the spiritual needs of their sovereign wherever they are called upon to do so.-Austria:...
, Whitehall
Palace of Whitehall
The Palace of Whitehall was the main residence of the English monarchs in London from 1530 until 1698 when all except Inigo Jones's 1622 Banqueting House was destroyed by fire...
to an Anglo-Irish
Anglo-Irish
Anglo-Irish was a term used primarily in the 19th and early 20th centuries to identify a privileged social class in Ireland, whose members were the descendants and successors of the Protestant Ascendancy, mostly belonging to the Church of Ireland, which was the established church of Ireland until...
peer: Lewis "the Valiant" Boyle, 1st Viscount Boyle of Kinalmeaky
Viscount Boyle of Kinalmeaky
Viscount Boyle of Kinalmeaky, in the County of Cork, is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1628 for the eight-year-old the Hon. Lewis Boyle, second son of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, with remainder, in default of male issue of his own, to the heirs male of his father...
, the second son of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork
Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork
Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork , also known as the Great Earl of Cork, was Lord Treasurer of the Kingdom of Ireland....
. As a result of her marriage, she was styled as Viscountess Boyle of Kinalmeaky. Her sisters-in-law included Lady Alice Boyle and Lady Sarah Boyle, and her brothers-in-law included Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Burlington
Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Burlington
Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Burlington, 2nd Earl of Cork was Lord High Treasurer of Ireland and a cavalier.-Early years:...
; Robert Boyle
Robert Boyle
Robert Boyle FRS was a 17th century natural philosopher, chemist, physicist, and inventor, also noted for his writings in theology. He has been variously described as English, Irish, or Anglo-Irish, his father having come to Ireland from England during the time of the English plantations of...
; and Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery
Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery
Roger Boyle redirects here. For others of this name, see Roger Boyle Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery was a British soldier, statesman and dramatist. He was the third surviving son of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork and Richard's second wife, Catherine Fenton. He was created Baron of Broghill on...
.
The marriage was brief, lasting less than three years; she was soon left a widow
Widow
A widow is a woman whose spouse has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed...
by her husband's death in 1642. Lord Kinalmeaky was killed at the battle of Liscarroll
Battle of Liscarroll
The Battle of Liscarroll was fought in County Cork in July 1642, at the start of the Eleven years war. An Irish Confederate army around 6000 strong and commanded by Garret Barry – a professional soldier - was defeated by an English force commanded by a Protestant Irishman, Murrough O'Brien, Baron...
, at the start of the Irish Confederate Wars
Irish Confederate Wars
This article is concerned with the military history of Ireland from 1641-53. For the political context of this conflict, see Confederate Ireland....
. She never remarried.
Later life
During the following "dark days of the Irish Rebellion," Elizabeth stayed with her father-in-law, Lord CorkRichard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork
Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork , also known as the Great Earl of Cork, was Lord Treasurer of the Kingdom of Ireland....
, who refers to her often, with special fondness, in his letters. Eventually he sent her away to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, for safety's sake. "God knows," he writes, "with what grief of soul I part with her."
Her father fought in the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
, as a Royalist
Cavalier
Cavalier was the name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I and son Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration...
.
Lady Kinalmeaky became a Roman Catholic and shared for some years Queen Henrietta Maria
Henrietta Maria of France
Henrietta Maria of France ; was the Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland as the wife of King Charles I...
's exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
along with her mother, the Countess of Denbigh
Susan Feilding, Countess of Denbigh
Susan Feilding, Countess of Denbigh was an English courtier. She was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Henrietta Maria....
, who also attended the Queen. While in France she had charge of Margaret Blagge, daughter of Colonel Thomas Blagge
Thomas Blagge
Colonel Thomas Blagge was an English soldier, a supporter of Charles I in the English Civil War.-Life:He came from Horningsheath, Suffolk, and was Groom of the Chamber to Charles I. From 1642 he was Governor of Wallingford Castle, and commanded a foot regiment of 1000 men...
and eventually wife of Sidney Godolphin
Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin
Sir Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin, KG, PC was a leading English politician of the late 17th and early 18th centuries...
and mother of Francis Godolphin
Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin
Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin, PC was a British politician, styled Viscount Rialton between 1706 and 1712.-Biography:...
. John Evelyn
John Evelyn
John Evelyn was an English writer, gardener and diarist.Evelyn's diaries or Memoirs are largely contemporaneous with those of the other noted diarist of the time, Samuel Pepys, and cast considerable light on the art, culture and politics of the time John Evelyn (31 October 1620 – 27 February...
, author of the book The Life of Mrs Godolphin, depicts Lady Guilford as a harsh, overly religious governess.
After the Restoration
English Restoration
The Restoration of the English monarchy began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II after the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
, she was made Countess of Guildford for life by Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
on the 14 July 1660. She also held the office of Groom of the Stole
Groom of the Stole
Groom of the Stole in the British Royal Household is a position dating from the Stuart era but which evolved from the earlier Groom of the Stool, an office in existence until the accession of Elizabeth I. The original nomenclature derived from the chair used in the performance of the function...
and Lady of the Bedchamber to Henrietta Maria
Henrietta Maria of France
Henrietta Maria of France ; was the Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland as the wife of King Charles I...
, then the Queen-Mother.
She died without issue c. 3 September 1667 at Colombes
Colombes
Colombes is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-History:On 13 March 1896, 17% of the territory of Colombes was detached and became the commune of Bois-Colombes ....
, France. Her will (dated 2 September 1667) was probated on 20 November 1667. Upon her death, the earldom of Guildford
Earl of Guilford
Earl of Guilford is a title that has been created three times in British history. The title was created for the first time in the Peerage of England in 1660 for Elizabeth Boyle. She was the daughter of William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh, and the widow of Lewis Boyle, 1st Viscount Boyle of...
became extinct.
Styles
- Elizabeth Boyle, Countess of GuildfordEarl of GuilfordEarl of Guilford is a title that has been created three times in British history. The title was created for the first time in the Peerage of England in 1660 for Elizabeth Boyle. She was the daughter of William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh, and the widow of Lewis Boyle, 1st Viscount Boyle of...
; - Viscountess Boyle of KinalmeakyViscount Boyle of KinalmeakyViscount Boyle of Kinalmeaky, in the County of Cork, is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1628 for the eight-year-old the Hon. Lewis Boyle, second son of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, with remainder, in default of male issue of his own, to the heirs male of his father...
; - Baroness of BandonEarl of CorkEarl of the County of Cork, usually shortened to Earl of Cork, is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1620 for the Anglo-Irish politician Richard Boyle, 1st Baron Boyle...
.
Sources
- Palgrave, Mary E. Mary Rich, Countess of Warwick (1625-1678)
- Townshend, Dorothea Baker (2008), The Life and Letters of the Great Earl of Cork. Bryant Press, 2008.