Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of
Richmond, (1672-1723)
Born 29 July 1672 London
Died 27 May 1723 Goodwood, Sussex
Married circa 8 January 1693
Anne Brudenell,
daughter of Francis Brudenell, Lord Brudenell and Lady Frances Savile
Born circa 1672
Died 9 December 1722 Whitehall
Buried Deene, Northants
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On 9 August 1675 at the tender age of three he was created Baron of
Settrington, Earl of March and Duke of Richmond. To these were added Baron
Mathuen, Earl of Darnley and Duke of Lennox on 9 September 1675. Louis
XIV of France then allowed him to inherit his mother's dignity and become
Duke of Aubigny in France.
When nine years old he was installed Knight of the Garter on 18 April
1681 and, on 12 July 1681, he became Governor of Dumbarton Castle. In 1682
he went with his mother to France for a visit. In 1684 he was described
as "a very pretty boy" and was very much
loved by his father King Charles II who made sure he was well looked
after financially. After Charles II died, Richmond and his mother again
went to France and this time remained for a year. During this time Richmond
was presented to Louis XIV. At Fontainebleau, on 21
October 1685, he formally adopted the Roman Catholic religion. After
the revolution which removed James II, Richmond again went to France. He
wished to join James II's expedition to Ireland but was told he was too
young. However, in 1689 he served in the French army
and later became an aide-de-camp to the Duke of Orleans. In September
1690 Louis XIV gave him a company in the royal regiment of horse. Not satisfied,
he secretly left and returned to England via Switzerland and Germany. Here
he hoped to gain a higher rank and better renumerations; it was also rumoured
that he had stolen his mother's jewels.
In England he changed both his politics and religion to make his peace
with William III. In 1693 he married Anne Brudenell, the widow of Henry
Belasyse, although William III and Mary II disapproved of the marriage.
By Anne he became the father of one son and two daughters. On 14 November
1693 he took his seat in the House of Lords, but by 1696 he was suspected
of being involved in Jacobite schemes. In 1702 he inherited the Lennox
estates which he immediately sold. At Queen Anne's coronation he bore the
sceptre and the dove. By the end of Queen Anne's reign he was no longer
a Whig. In May 1713 he
visited Paris and again in July 1714, at which time he was mysteriously
wounded near Pont Neuf. He probably returned to his Whig sympathies as,
on 16 October 1714, George I made him lord of the bedchamber and, on 5
August 1715, privy councillor of Ireland. He died
at Goodwood, Sussex, on 27 May 1723 and was first buried in Henry VII's
Chapel, Westminster, but was later removed to Chichester Cathedral.
Source: Leo van de Pas |
