James Cecil, 6th Earl of Salisbury
Encyclopedia
James Cecil, 6th Earl of Salisbury (20 October 1713 – 19 September 1780) was a British peer
, son of James Cecil, 5th Earl of Salisbury
and a member of one of England's greatest political dynasties. He was known for his irregular life as "the Wicked Earl".
He was educated at Westminster School
, was High Steward of Hertford
, and a Governor of the Foundling Hospital
of London. He married in 1745 Elizabeth (1721–1776), daughter of Edward Keet of Canterbury
, said by a contemporary source to have been a barber and a tourist guide. However, within a few years he separated from his Countess and lived as a recluse with his mistress, one Mrs. Mary Grave of Baldock
, for the remaining 30 years of his life at Quickswood, in the parish of Clothall
. His relationship with her predated his marriage. C. Price wrote of the liaison in 1771 (Hatfield House
archives):
“He lives upstairs … surrounded with old trunks and boxes and scattered books. Well or ill he never quits his chamber, never sees or converses with any but his old Dame, as he calls her, and his physician, who occasionally visits him. The servants are old and rusty like the dwelling.”
James Cecil died on 19 September 1780, having had by Elizabeth Keet one son, James Cecil, who succeeded as 7th Earl and 1st Marquess of Salisbury
, and two daughters (who died unmarried).
Mrs. Grave received over £50,000 in his Will, besides jewellery, silver and furniture removed from Hatfield. In addition, the Earl bequeathed £43,000 to his seven children by her, one of whom was James Cecil Grave, rector
of Hatfield and Clothall. The Will was unsuccessfully contested by the 7th Earl of Salisbury, who demolished Quickswood (c. 1790). Mary Grave died on 2 December 1789 at Baldock.
Peerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
, son of James Cecil, 5th Earl of Salisbury
James Cecil, 5th Earl of Salisbury
James Cecil, 5th Earl of Salisbury , known as Viscount Cranborne from 1691 to 1694, was a British peer.Salisbury was the son of James Cecil, 4th Earl of Salisbury, and Frances Bennett, and succeeded his father in the earldom in 1694...
and a member of one of England's greatest political dynasties. He was known for his irregular life as "the Wicked Earl".
He was educated at Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
, was High Steward of Hertford
Hertford
Hertford is the county town of Hertfordshire, England, and is also a civil parish in the East Hertfordshire district of the county. Forming a civil parish, the 2001 census put the population of Hertford at about 24,180. Recent estimates are that it is now around 28,000...
, and a Governor of the Foundling Hospital
Foundling Hospital
The Foundling Hospital in London, England was founded in 1741 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram. It was a children's home established for the "education and maintenance of exposed and deserted young children." The word "hospital" was used in a more general sense than it is today, simply...
of London. He married in 1745 Elizabeth (1721–1776), daughter of Edward Keet of Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
, said by a contemporary source to have been a barber and a tourist guide. However, within a few years he separated from his Countess and lived as a recluse with his mistress, one Mrs. Mary Grave of Baldock
Baldock
Baldock is a historic market town in the local government district of North Hertfordshire in the ceremonial county of Hertfordshire, England where the River Ivel rises. It lies north of London, southeast of Bedford, and north northwest of the county town of Hertford...
, for the remaining 30 years of his life at Quickswood, in the parish of Clothall
Clothall
Clothall is a village and civil parish in Hertfordshire, England with a population of 358. It is situated south-east of Baldock, and is in the district of North Hertfordshire. The village contains the Church of St Mary the Virgin, which was built of flint and stone around 1350–70, though parts of...
. His relationship with her predated his marriage. C. Price wrote of the liaison in 1771 (Hatfield House
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a country house set in a large park, the Great Park, on the eastern side of the town of Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. The present Jacobean house was built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, First Earl of Salisbury and Chief Minister to King James I and has been the home of the Cecil...
archives):
“He lives upstairs … surrounded with old trunks and boxes and scattered books. Well or ill he never quits his chamber, never sees or converses with any but his old Dame, as he calls her, and his physician, who occasionally visits him. The servants are old and rusty like the dwelling.”
James Cecil died on 19 September 1780, having had by Elizabeth Keet one son, James Cecil, who succeeded as 7th Earl and 1st Marquess of Salisbury
James Cecil, 1st Marquess of Salisbury
James Cecil, 1st Marquess of Salisbury, KG, PC , styled Viscount Cranborne until 1780 and known as 7th Earl of Salisbury between 1780 and 1789, was a British politician.-Background:...
, and two daughters (who died unmarried).
Mrs. Grave received over £50,000 in his Will, besides jewellery, silver and furniture removed from Hatfield. In addition, the Earl bequeathed £43,000 to his seven children by her, one of whom was James Cecil Grave, rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of Hatfield and Clothall. The Will was unsuccessfully contested by the 7th Earl of Salisbury, who demolished Quickswood (c. 1790). Mary Grave died on 2 December 1789 at Baldock.
Sources
- The Gentleman’s Magazine
- Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 106th edition
- G. E. C[okayne], The Complete PeerageThe Complete PeerageThe Complete Peerage The Complete Peerage The Complete Peerage (full title: The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom Extant, Extinct, or Dormant; first edition by George Edward Cokayne, Clarenceux King of Arms; 2nd edition revised by the Hon...
(London, 1895)