Barbara Villiers, by Sir Peter Lely.

Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess of Cleveland [1] (November 1640–9 October 1709) was a royal courtesan and one of the most notorious of King Charles II's mistresses. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 394 × 599 pixelsFull resolution‎ (760 × 1,155 pixels, file size: 66 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Faithful reproductions of two-dimensional original works cannot attract copyright in the U.S. according to the rule in Bridgeman Art Library v. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 394 × 599 pixelsFull resolution‎ (760 × 1,155 pixels, file size: 66 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Faithful reproductions of two-dimensional original works cannot attract copyright in the U.S. according to the rule in Bridgeman Art Library v. ... Sir Peter Lely (14 September 1618 - 30 November 1680) was a painter of Dutch origin. ... Events December 1 - Portugal regains its independence from Spain and João IV of Portugal becomes king. ... is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events January 12 - Two-month freezing period begins in France - The coast of the Atlantic and Seine River freeze, crops fail and at least 24. ... A courtesan in mid-16th century usage was a high-class prostitute or mistress, especially one associated with rich, powerful, or upper-class men who provided luxuries and status in exchange for her services. ... Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. ...

Early life

She was born Barbara Villiers, the only child of William Villiers, 2nd Viscount Grandison (making her a cousin of George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham), and the heiress Mary Bayning. In autumn 1643 Lord Grandison died from a wound sustained in battle, leaving his widow and daughter in straitened circumstances. Viscount Grandison is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... // Events January 21 - Abel Tasman discovers Tonga February 6 - Abel Tasman discovers the Fiji islands. ...

Life as a courtesan to royalty

Villiers was considered at the time to be one of the most beautiful Royalist women, but her lack of fortune left her with reduced marriage prospects. Her first serious romance was with Philip Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Chesterfield, but he was on the lookout for a rich wife. On 14 April 1659 she married Roger Palmer against his family's wishes; his father predicted that she would make him one of the most miserable men in the world. The two separated, but did not divorce, in 1662, following the birth of her first son. The two remained married for his lifetime, but it is believed that Palmer did not father any of his wife's children. [2] Philip Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Chesterfield (1634-1714) inherited the title of Earl of Chesterfield upon his grandfathers death in 1656. ... is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events May 25 - Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector of England following the restoration of the Long Parliament, beginning a second brief period of the republican government called the Commonwealth. ... Roger Palmer, Earl of Castlemaine Roger Palmer, 1st Earl of Castlemaine, (1634-1705) is probably best known as the husband of Barbara Villiers, one of Charles IIs mistresses. ... Events February 1 - The Chinese pirate Koxinga seizes the island of Taiwan after a nine-month siege. ...

She became King Charles's mistress in 1660, while still married to Palmer, and whilst Charles was still in exile. As a reward for her services, the King created her husband Baron Limerick and Earl of Castlemaine in 1661. Of her six children, five were acknowledged by Charles as his: // Events January 1 - Colonel George Monck with his regiment crosses from Scotland to England at the village of Coldstream and begins advance towards London in support of English Restoration. ... The Earldom of Castlemaine was a title created in the Peerage of Ireland. ... 1661 (MDCLXI) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ...

1. Lady Anne Palmer, later FitzRoy (1661-1722), probably daughter of Charles II, although some people believed she bore a resemblance to the Earl of Chesterfield. She later became the Countess of Sussex
2. Charles Palmer, later FitzRoy (1662-1730), styled Lord Limerick and later Earl of Southampton, created Duke of Southampton (1675), later 2nd Duke of Cleveland (1709)
3. Henry FitzRoy (1663-1690), created Earl of Euston (1672) and Duke of Grafton (1675)
4. Charlotte FitzRoy (1664-1718), later Countess of Lichfield
5. George FitzRoy (1665-1716), created Earl of Northumberland (1674) and Duke of Northumberland (1683)
6. Barbara (Benedicta) FitzRoy (1672-1737) - Cleveland claimed that she was Charles' daughter, but was probably the child of her mothers second cousin and lover, John Churchill, later Duke of Marlborough

Lady Anne Palmer (or Fitzroy) (February 25, 1661 - 1722) was the eldest daughter of Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine, and most probably the daughter of Charles II. (The second Earl of Chesterfield has also been considered as a possible father. ... 1661 (MDCLXI) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... // Events Abraham De Moivre states De Moivres theorem connecting trigonometric functions and complex numbers Publication of the first book of Bachs Well-Tempered Clavier Fall of Persias Safavid dynasty during a bloody revolt of the Afghani people. ... Charles Fitzroy (or Palmer) (1662 - September 9, 1730) was the eldest son of Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine and Catholic, had him christened into the Catholic faith, but six days later the King had him rechristened into the Church of England. ... Events February 1 - The Chinese pirate Koxinga seizes the island of Taiwan after a nine-month siege. ... Events Pope Clement XII elected September 17 - Change of emperor of the Ottoman Empire from Ahmed III (1703-1730) to Mahmud I (1730-1754) Anna Ivanova (Anna I of Russia) became czarina Births April 16 - Henry Clinton, British general (d. ... The Dukedom of Cleveland was a peerage in the Peerage of England, and later in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... The Dukedom of Cleveland was a peerage in the Peerage of England, and later in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, named for Cleveland in northern England. ... Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton (1663 - 1690) was the natural son of King Charles II by Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine and later Duchess of Cleveland. ... Year 1663 (MDCLXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... Events Giovanni Domenico Cassini observes differential rotation within Jupiters atmosphere. ... The title of Duke of Grafton was created in 1675 by Charles II of England for his 2nd illegitimate son by the Duchess of Cleveland, Henry FitzRoy. ... The title of Duke of Grafton was created in 1675 by Charles II of England for his 2nd illegitimate son by the Duchess of Cleveland, Henry FitzRoy. ... Charlotte Lee, Countess of Lichfield (5 September 1664–17 February 1718), formerly Lady Charlotte FitzRoy, was the daughter of Barbara Palmer, Countess of Castlemaine (née Barbara Villiers, later 1st Duchess of Cleveland) and King Charles II of England and Scotland. ... Events March 12 - New Jersey becomes a colony of England. ... Year 1718 (MDCCXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Earl of Lichfield is a title originally created in the peerage of England that has twice become extinct and was recreated in the peerage of the United Kingdom. ... George Fitzroy, 1st Duke of Northumberland (Oxford, December 28, 1665 - Epsom, June 28, 1716) was the third and youngest illegitimate son of King Charles II. His mother was Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine (also known as Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland). ... Year 1665 (MDCLXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... // Events August 5 - In the Battle of Peterwardein 40. ... The title of Earl of Northumberland was created several times in the Peerages of England and Great Britain. ... The title Duke of Northumberland was created in 1551 for John Dudley. ... Barbara (Benedicta) Fitzroy (1672-1731) was the youngest daughter of Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine. ... Events England, France, Munster and Cologne invade the United Provinces, therefore this name is know as ´het rampjaar´ (the disaster year) in the Netherlands. ... Events 12 February — The San Carlo, the oldest working opera house in Europe, is inaugurated. ... John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (26 May 1650 – 16 June 1722) (O.S)[1] was an English soldier and statesman whose career spanned the reigns of five monarchs throughout the late 17th and early 18th centuries. ...

Downfall

She had a bitter enemy in Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon. Clarendon, one of the most powerful of the King's advisors, opposed her appointment as a Lady of the Bedchamber (as did, quite understandably, Catherine of Braganza, Charles's wife and Queen). By 1662 she had more influence in the court than did the Queen, and there were bitter feuds behind the scenes between the two women. This was followed by rumours of an estrangement between Barbara and Charles, as the result of his infatuation with Frances Stuart. In December 1663 Barbara announced her conversion to Catholicism; historians disagree as to the reasons why. Some believe it might have been an attempt to consolidate her position with the King, and some believe it was a way of strengthening her ties with her Catholic husband, in case Charles decided to abandon her. Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon (18 February 1609–9 December 1674) was an English historian, statesman and grandfather of two queens regnant, Mary II and Anne. ... Catherine of Braganza (November 25, 1638 – November 30, 1705) (Catherine Henrietta, Portuguese: Catarina Henriqueta de Bragança), was the queen consort of King Charles II of England. ... Events February 1 - The Chinese pirate Koxinga seizes the island of Taiwan after a nine-month siege. ... Frances Teresa Stuart by Sir Peter Lely, 1662-65. ... Year 1663 (MDCLXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      As a...

Barbara was famously extravagant. She was notorious for helping herself to money from the Privy Purse, as well as taking bribes from the Spanish and French. She was promiscuous, and well known for using her influence on the king to her own benefit. Eventually this would lead to her downfall. Her influence over the King waxed and waned. In June 1670 Charles created her Baroness Nonsuch, Countess of Southampton and Duchess of Cleveland in her own right. However, no-one in the court was sure whether this was an indication that she was being jettisoned by Charles, or whether this was a sign that she was even higher in his favours. The Dukedom was made with a special remainder which allowed it to be passed to her eldest son, Charles FitzRoy, even though he was illegitimate. Promiscuity is the practice of making relatively unselective, casual and indiscriminate choices. ... Year 1670 (MDCLXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Dukedom of Cleveland was a peerage in the Peerage of England, and later in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, named for Cleveland in northern England. ... Charles Fitzroy (or Palmer) (1662 - September 9, 1730) was the eldest son of Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine and Catholic, had him christened into the Catholic faith, but six days later the King had him rechristened into the Church of England. ...

While the King had taken other mistresses, Barbara also took other lovers, including the acrobat Jacob Hall and her second cousin John Churchill. Her lovers certainly benefited financially from the arrangement; Churchill purchased an annuity with £5,000 Barbara had given him. As the result of the 1673 Test Act, which essentially banned all Catholics from holding office, Barbara lost her position as Lady of the Bedchamber, and the king cast her aside completely from her position as mistress, taking Louise de Kéroualle as his newest "favorite." The term cousin typically refers to the child of ones parents sibling. ... John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (26 May 1650 – 16 June 1722) (O.S)[1] was an English soldier and statesman whose career spanned the reigns of five monarchs throughout the late 17th and early 18th centuries. ... 1673 (MDCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... The several Test Acts were a series of English penal laws that imposed various civil disabilities on Roman Catholics and Nonconformists. ... Portrait of Louise de Kérouaille by Pierre Mignard Louise Renée de Penancoët de Kérouaille, 1st Duchess of Portsmouth (September 1649 – 14 November 1734), was a mistress of Charles II of England. ...

In 1676 she travelled to Paris with her four youngest children. In 1705 Roger Palmer died, and she married Major-General Robert Feilding whom she later had prosecuted for bigamy. She died in 1709 after suffering from an edema (American English, oedema or œdema - British English), known at the time as dropsy. Events January 29 - Feodor III becomes Tsar of Russia First measurement of the speed of light, by Ole Rømer Bacons Rebellion Russo-Turkish Wars commence. ... This article is about the capital of France. ... // Events Construction begins on Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire, England. ... Polygamy has been a feature of human culture since earliest history. ... // Events January 12 - Two-month freezing period begins in France - The coast of the Atlantic and Seine River freeze, crops fail and at least 24. ... This page is about the condition called edema. ...

Bibliography

• Elizabeth Hamilton. The Illustrious Lady : a biography of Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine and Duchess of Cleveland (1980)

External links

• Portrait of Barbara Villiers
• Portrait of Barbara Villiers and Charles Fitzroy