Elizabeth Maitland, Duchess of Lauderdale
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Maitland, Duchess of Lauderdale (September 1626 – 5 June 1698) was an influential British noblewoman. She is famous for the political influence she held, which was unusual for women of the period, and for her support of Charles II
during his exile as a member of the secret organisation known as the Sealed Knot
.
Because of the English Civil War
her father was delayed in finding her a husband but in 1648 she married Sir Lionel Tollemache. The couple had eleven children, including Lionel Tollemache, 3rd Earl of Dysart
and Thomas Tollemache
; their eldest daughter, Elizabeth Tollemache, married Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll
.
, which she spent much time and money redeveloping. She was close friends with the Parliamentarian
Oliver Cromwell
during this period and the friendship provided a cover for her own Royalist
tendencies. In 1653 she joined the secret Royalist organisation, the Sealed Knot. She was in correspondence with exiled supporters of Charles II
and even visited Europe to see the king himself. In 1660, when Charles II resumed the throne, he rewarded Elizabeth with an annual pension of £800. Her enemies accused her of witchcraft because of her political influence.
Upon her father's death in 1655 she inherited his titles, becoming countess of Dysart. In 1669 her husband Lionel died in France. It is suspected that very soon after this she became the mistress of John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale
, the Scottish noble and politician, whom she eventually married in 1672, upon his own wife's death. He was a member of the notorious Cabal Ministry
of Charles II and amongst his titles was that of Baron Petersham. The pair were known for their influence, wealth, and extravagance. Upon John's death in 1682 Elizabeth entered into a legal dispute with her brother-in-law over her late husband's debts and funeral expenses.
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...
during his exile as a member of the secret organisation known as the Sealed Knot
Sealed Knot
The Sealed Knot was a secret Royalist association which plotted for the Restoration of the Monarchy during the English Interregnum.Its original founder members were:* John Belasyse, 1st Baron Belasyse...
.
Early life
Maitland was the eldest of the five daughters of William Murray, 1st Earl of Dysart, a close friend of Charles I; and his wife Catherine Bruce. Her father ensured that she received a full education, which was unusual for women of the period.Because of the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
her father was delayed in finding her a husband but in 1648 she married Sir Lionel Tollemache. The couple had eleven children, including Lionel Tollemache, 3rd Earl of Dysart
Lionel Tollemache, 3rd Earl of Dysart
Lionel Tollemache, 3rd Earl of Dysart , styled Lord Huntingtower from 1651 to 1698, was a British Tory Member of Parliament and nobleman....
and Thomas Tollemache
Thomas Tollemache
Thomas Tollemache was an English soldier; the second son of Sir Lionel Tollemache of Helmingham, Suffolk and his wife, Elizabeth, 2nd Countess of Dysart....
; their eldest daughter, Elizabeth Tollemache, married Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll
Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll
Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll, 10th Earl of Argyll was a Scottish peer.-Biography:The eldest son of Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll and Mary Stuart, daughter of James Stuart, 4th Earl of Moray, Campbell sought to recover his father's estates...
.
Later life
Maitland did not want a quiet domestic life and based herself at Ham House in Richmond, LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, which she spent much time and money redeveloping. She was close friends with the Parliamentarian
Roundhead
"Roundhead" was the nickname given to the supporters of the Parliament during the English Civil War. Also known as Parliamentarians, they fought against King Charles I and his supporters, the Cavaliers , who claimed absolute power and the divine right of kings...
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
during this period and the friendship provided a cover for her own 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...
tendencies. In 1653 she joined the secret Royalist organisation, the Sealed Knot. She was in correspondence with exiled supporters of 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...
and even visited Europe to see the king himself. In 1660, when Charles II resumed the throne, he rewarded Elizabeth with an annual pension of £800. Her enemies accused her of witchcraft because of her political influence.
Upon her father's death in 1655 she inherited his titles, becoming countess of Dysart. In 1669 her husband Lionel died in France. It is suspected that very soon after this she became the mistress of John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale
John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale
Sir John Maitland, 1st Duke and 2nd Earl of Lauderdale, 3rd Lord Thirlestane KG PC , was a Scottish politician, and leader within the Cabal Ministry.-Background:...
, the Scottish noble and politician, whom she eventually married in 1672, upon his own wife's death. He was a member of the notorious Cabal Ministry
Cabal Ministry
The Cabal Ministry refers to a group of high councillers of King Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1668 to circa 1674.The term "Cabal" has a double meaning in this context. It refers to the fact that, for perhaps the first time in English history, effective power in a royal council...
of Charles II and amongst his titles was that of Baron Petersham. The pair were known for their influence, wealth, and extravagance. Upon John's death in 1682 Elizabeth entered into a legal dispute with her brother-in-law over her late husband's debts and funeral expenses.