Biography of Alice Leigh 1st Duchess Dudley 1578-1669

Paternal Family Tree: Legh

Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Donnington Countess Bath 1509-1561

In 1578 Alice Leigh 1st Duchess Dudley was born to Thomas Leigh (age 36) and Katharine Spencer at Stoneleigh [Map].

Around 1591 [her future husband] Robert Dudley (age 16) and Margaret Cavendish (age 21) were married. He the son of Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester and Douglas Howard Baroness Sheffield (age 49).

Around 1596 Robert Dudley (age 21) and Alice Leigh 1st Duchess Dudley (age 18) were married. He the son of Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester and Douglas Howard Baroness Sheffield (age 54).

In 1606 [her husband] Robert Dudley (age 31) and Elizabeth Southwell (age 22) were married at Lyon, France [Map]. Bigamous in his case since his second wife Alice Leigh 1st Duchess Dudley (age 28) was alive. She the daughter of Robert Southwell and Elizabeth Howard Countess Carrick (age 41). He the son of Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester and Douglas Howard Baroness Sheffield (age 64). They were first cousin once removed.

In Feb 1625 [her father] Thomas Leigh (age 83) died at Stoneleigh [Map].

In Jan 1639 [her mother] Katharine Spencer died.

On 23 May 1644 Alice Leigh 1st Duchess Dudley (age 66) was created 1st Duke Dudley by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 43) for life. Her husband [her husband] Robert Dudley (age 69) had claimed to be the legitimate son of Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester but the Star Chamber found against him. King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 43) disagreed with their verdict and, in compensation of her subsequent treatment, awarded her the Dukedom ...

And whereas, our father not knowing the truth of the lawful birth of the said Sir Robert (as we piously believe) granted away the titles of the said earldom to others ... and holding ourselves in honour and conscience obliged to make reparation; and also the said great estate which the Lady Alice had in Kenilworth, and sold at our desire to us at a very great undericon... we do... give and grant unto the said Lady Alice Dudley the title of Duchess of Dudley for life.

On 06 Sep 1649 [her husband] Robert Dudley (age 75) died at Villa Rinieri. He was buried at San Pancrazio.

On 22 Jan 1669 Alice Leigh 1st Duchess Dudley (age 91) died in the parish St Giles in the Fields Church, Camden [Map]. She was buried at Church of the Virgin Mary Stoneleigh [Map]. Duke Dudley extinct since it was created for life only.

After 22 Jan 1669. Church of the Virgin Mary Stoneleigh [Map]. Monument to Alice Leigh 1st Duchess Dudley (deceased) and her daughter. A large elaborate memorial in black and white marble erected in 1668. Has two recumbent female figures under a canopy supported on eight Ionic columns and on either side an angel with trumpet holding back curtains. Possibly sculpted by William Wright of Charing Cross.

[her father] Thomas Leigh and [her mother] Katharine Spencer were married.

Ancestors of Alice Leigh 1st Duchess Dudley 1578-1669

Great x 4 Grandfather: Piers Legh

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Leigh

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Leigh

Great x 1 Grandfather: Roger Leigh

GrandFather: Thomas Leigh

Father: Thomas Leigh

Alice Leigh 1st Duchess Dudley

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Spencer

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Spencer

Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Empson

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Empson

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Spencer

Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabella Graunt

GrandFather: John Spencer

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Knightley

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Knightley

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Knightley

Great x 1 Grandmother: Susan Knightley

Mother: Katharine Spencer

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Kitson

GrandMother: Katherine Kitson

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Donnington of Stoke Newington

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Donnington Countess Bath