Lionel Tollemache
Encyclopedia
Sir Lionel Tollemache 3rd Baronet of Helmingham was the head of a powerful East Anglian family
whose seat was Helmingham Hall
in Suffolk, England. He was the son of Sir Lionel Tollemache, 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Stanhope, an heiress of Lord Harrington
.
Around 1648, Tollemache married Elizabeth Murray
, the daughter of William, first Earl of Dysart and 'whipping boy' to King Charles I
. He and his wife, who were both fervent royalist
s, moved to her house at Ham in Surrey, which in due course became a centre for the activities of the Sealed Knot
. Together they were in contact with Charles Stuart, later Charles II
, then in exile on the continent. Rather surprisingy however, Elizabeth was also said to be on very good terms with the Lord Protector
, Oliver Cromwell
, leading to claims that he was the real father of some of her children.
Tollemache appears to have been plagued with ill-health throughout much of his life. Augustus Hare
, in The Story of My Life (1900) suggested that this was as a result of his being slowly poisoned by his wife, who had used up his fortune turning Ham House into a grand palace and now needed new sources of income with which to pay off her creditors. There is no evidence to back up such a claim however and it must be seen that Elizabeth's reputation has suffered from its subsequent association with that of her second husband, John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale
, whom it was said she charmed even as her husband 's health deteriorated. Tollemache travelled to France in search of cures for his debilitating sickness, but died in Paris.
Sir Lionel and Lady Dysart had eleven children, five of whom survived to adulthood:
Tollemache Baronets
There have been two Baronetcies created for people with the surname Tollemache , one in the Baronetage of England and one in the Baronetage of Great Britain....
whose seat was Helmingham Hall
Helmingham Hall
Helmingham Hall is a moated manor house in Helmingham, Suffolk, England. It was begun by John Tollemache in 1480 and has been owned by the Tollemache family ever since. The house is built around a courtyard in typical late medieval/Tudor style....
in Suffolk, England. He was the son of Sir Lionel Tollemache, 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Stanhope, an heiress of Lord Harrington
Baron Stanhope
Baron Stanhope, of Harrington in the County of Northampton, was a title in the Peerage of England. It was created on 2 May 1605 for Sir John Stanhope, Vice-Chamberlain of the Household between 1602 and 1616. He was the son of Sir Michael Stanhope and the brother of Sir Thomas Stanhope, ancestor of...
.
Around 1648, Tollemache married Elizabeth Murray
Elizabeth Maitland, Duchess of Lauderdale
Elizabeth Maitland, Duchess of Lauderdale 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.-Early...
, the daughter of William, first Earl of Dysart and 'whipping boy' to King Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
. He and his wife, who were both fervent 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...
s, moved to her house at Ham in Surrey, which in due course became a centre for the activities of 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...
. Together they were in contact with Charles Stuart, later 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...
, then in exile on the continent. Rather surprisingy however, Elizabeth was also said to be on very good terms with the Lord Protector
Lord Protector
Lord Protector is a title used in British constitutional law for certain heads of state at different periods of history. It is also a particular title for the British Heads of State in respect to the established church...
, 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....
, leading to claims that he was the real father of some of her children.
Tollemache appears to have been plagued with ill-health throughout much of his life. Augustus Hare
Augustus Hare
Augustus John Cuthbert Hare was an English writer and raconteur.He was the youngest son of Francis George Hare of Herstmonceux, East Sussex, and Gresford, Flintshire, Wales, and nephew of Augustus William Hare and Julius Hare...
, in The Story of My Life (1900) suggested that this was as a result of his being slowly poisoned by his wife, who had used up his fortune turning Ham House into a grand palace and now needed new sources of income with which to pay off her creditors. There is no evidence to back up such a claim however and it must be seen that Elizabeth's reputation has suffered from its subsequent association with that of her second husband, 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:...
, whom it was said she charmed even as her husband 's health deteriorated. Tollemache travelled to France in search of cures for his debilitating sickness, but died in Paris.
Sir Lionel and Lady Dysart had eleven children, five of whom survived to adulthood:
- LionelLionel Tollemache, 3rd Earl of DysartLionel Tollemache, 3rd Earl of Dysart , styled Lord Huntingtower from 1651 to 1698, was a British Tory Member of Parliament and nobleman....
, his eldest son, inherited the Earldom of Dysart on his mother's death in 1698.
- Elizabeth Tollemache married Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of ArgyllArchibald Campbell, 1st Duke of ArgyllArchibald 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...
.
- Catherine Tollemache married James Stewart, Lord Doune and secondly John Gordon, 16th Earl of SutherlandJohn Gordon, 16th Earl of SutherlandJohn Gordon, 16th Earl of Sutherland PC was a Scottish nobleman and army officer.He was the only son of George Gordon, the 15th earl of Sutherland , and his wife, Jean....
.
- Thomas TollemacheThomas TollemacheThomas Tollemache was an English soldier; the second son of Sir Lionel Tollemache of Helmingham, Suffolk and his wife, Elizabeth, 2nd Countess of Dysart....
, Lieutenant-General, abandoned the family's devotion to the House of StuartHouse of StuartThe House of Stuart is a European royal house. Founded by Robert II of Scotland, the Stewarts first became monarchs of the Kingdom of Scotland during the late 14th century, and subsequently held the position of the Kings of Great Britain and Ireland...
and became a key supporter of William of OrangeWilliam III of EnglandWilliam III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
.
- William Tollemache was a captain in the Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
.