Elizabeth Herbert, Countess of Pembroke and Montgomery
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Herbert, Countess of Pembroke and Montgomery (January/March 1737 – 30 April 1831) was the daughter of Charles Spencer
and Elizabeth Trevor.
and Elizabeth Trevor.
Her siblings were George
, Charles, and Diana.
At nineteen she married Henry Herbert, 10th Earl of Pembroke
.
She was admired by George III in the early 1760s, becoming a Lady of the Bedchamber
to his wife, Queen Charlotte
. The King and Queen stayed for two nights with Henry and Elizabeth at Wilton House
in 1778.
"Husbands are dreadfull and powerful Animals" wrote the long-suffering Elizabeth after taking her husband back in 1762, though she did manage to prevent his illegitimate son from that affair from keeping the surname Herbert. She and Henry ended up living in separate quarters at Wilton (he downstairs, she upstairs), with her eventually leaving for Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park
in 1788, which the king had put at her disposal. However, the King - who had been attracted to Elizabeth all his life - suffered his first bout of insanity that same year, and she had to endure the embarrassment of his sporadic and unwanted attentions until his recovery in 1805.
Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough
Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough KG, PC , known as The Earl of Sunderland between 1729 and 1733, was a British soldier and politician. He briefly served as Lord Privy Seal in 1755...
and Elizabeth Trevor.
Biography
Born Elizabeth Spencer to Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of MarlboroughCharles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough
Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough KG, PC , known as The Earl of Sunderland between 1729 and 1733, was a British soldier and politician. He briefly served as Lord Privy Seal in 1755...
and Elizabeth Trevor.
Her siblings were George
George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough
George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough KG, PC, FRS , styled Marquess of Blandford until 1758, was a British courtier and politician...
, Charles, and Diana.
At nineteen she married Henry Herbert, 10th Earl of Pembroke
Henry Herbert, 10th Earl of Pembroke
Henry Herbert, 10th Earl of Pembroke, 7th Earl of Montgomery was the son of the ninth earl of Pembroke, and was named after his father.-Biography:...
.
She was admired by George III in the early 1760s, becoming a Lady of the Bedchamber
Lady of the Bedchamber
This is an incomplete list of those who have served as Lady of the Bedchamber in the British Royal Household...
to his wife, Queen Charlotte
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the Queen consort of the United Kingdom as the wife of King George III...
. The King and Queen stayed for two nights with Henry and Elizabeth at Wilton House
Wilton House
Wilton House is an English country house situated at Wilton near Salisbury in Wiltshire. It has been the country seat of the Earls of Pembroke for over 400 years....
in 1778.
"Husbands are dreadfull and powerful Animals" wrote the long-suffering Elizabeth after taking her husband back in 1762, though she did manage to prevent his illegitimate son from that affair from keeping the surname Herbert. She and Henry ended up living in separate quarters at Wilton (he downstairs, she upstairs), with her eventually leaving for Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park
Richmond Park
Richmond Park is a 2,360 acre park within London. It is the largest of the Royal Parks in London and Britain's second largest urban walled park after Sutton Park, Birmingham. It is close to Richmond, Ham, Kingston upon Thames, Wimbledon, Roehampton and East Sheen...
in 1788, which the king had put at her disposal. However, the King - who had been attracted to Elizabeth all his life - suffered his first bout of insanity that same year, and she had to endure the embarrassment of his sporadic and unwanted attentions until his recovery in 1805.
Issue
Despite Henry's frequent affairs, they had the following issue:| Name | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Augustus Herbert, 11th Earl of Pembroke, 8th Earl of Montgomery George Herbert, 11th Earl of Pembroke General George Augustus Herbert, 11th Earl of Pembroke and 8th Earl of Montgomery, KG, PC was a British peer, army officer and politician.-Early life:... |
10 September 1759 | 26 October 1827 | married firstly in 1787, Elizabeth Beauclerk and had issue; married secondly in 1808, Countess Catherine Vorontsova and had issue |
| Charlotte Herbert | 14 July 1773 | 21 April 1784 | died from consumption at age 10. |
In fiction
- She features in the movie The Madness of King GeorgeThe Madness of King GeorgeThe Madness of King George is a 1994 film directed by Nicholas Hytner and adapted by Alan Bennett from his own play, The Madness of George III. It tells the true story of George III's deteriorating mental health, and his equally declining relationship with his son, the Prince of Wales, particularly...
(1994) played by Amanda DonohoeAmanda DonohoeAmanda Donohoe is an English film and television actress. She is known for her 1980s relationship with popstar Adam Ant and her later work on television — including L.A. Law and Emmerdale — and her roles in successful movies including Liar, Liar.-Early life:Donohoe was born in London, the daughter...
.- It is set in 1788, and so she was actually much older than portrayed.
- Its mention of a mother-in-law who "lost her wits" is an invention, since her mother-in-law Mary Fitzwilliam died in 1769.
- the King introduces her: "Now, that's Lady Pembroke. Handsome woman, what? Daughter of the Duke of Marlborough. Stuff of generals. Blood of Blenheim. Husband an utter rascal. Eloped in a packet-boat.",
- the movie shows the mad King harassing her, but she (and the Queen) remaining loyal to him.
Sources
- Humphrys family tree
- Henry, Elizabeth and George: Letters and Diaries of Henry, 10th Earl of Pembroke and his Circle (1734-80), 16th Earl, 1939, repub as: The Pembroke Papers vol. I (1734-80), 1942-50.
- The Pembroke Papers vol. II (1780-94), 16th Earl, 1950, [EUL] 9(42073) Pem.