Encyclopedia > Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Cleveland
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.
In 1670, at the age of eight, Charles was betrothed to Mary, daughter of Sir Henry Wood, Clerk of the Green Cloth, but with the proviso that the marriage be delayed until Mary turned 16. Following the death of her father, Barbara Villiers more or less abducted Mary, with the intention of bringing her up with her own children.
Charles was also a patron of the arts, and he and his court were largely responsible for the revival of public drama and music, after their virtual prohibition under the earlier Protectorate.
Charles, the eldest surviving son of Charles I of England and Henrietta Maria of France, was born Charles Stuart in St.
Their son, James Crofts (afterwards Duke of Monmouth and Duke of Buccleuch), was to become the most prominent of Charles's many illegitimate sons in English political life, and famously led a rebellion on Charles' death, aimed at placing himself (a staunch Protestant) on the throne instead of Charles' Catholic brother James.
by Barbara Villiers (countess of Castlemaine and duchess of Cleveland).
Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd duke of Grafton (1735-1811), one of the leading politicians of his time, was the grandson of the 2ndduke, and was educated at Westminster and Cambridge.
Besides his successor, the 4th duke (1760-1844), and numerous other children, he was the father of General Lord CharlesFitzroy (1764-1829), whose sons Sir CharlesFitzroy (1798-1858), governor of New South Wales, and Robert Fitzroy, the hydrographer, were notable men.
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