Biography of Elizabeth Malet Countess Rochester 1651-1681

Paternal Family Tree: Malet

Maternal Family Tree: Jane Gibbes Baroness Hawley

In or before 1651 [her father] John Malet (age 36) and [her mother] Unton Hawley (age 20) were married.

In 1651 Elizabeth Malet Countess Rochester was born to John Malet (age 36) and Unton Hawley (age 21).

In 1656 [her father] John Malet (age 41) died.

On 19 Feb 1658 Henry Wilmot 1st Earl Rochester (age 45) died at Sluys [Map]. He was buried in Bruges [Map]. After the Restoration his remains were reburied in All Saints Church, Spelsbury [Map]. His son [her future husband] John Wilmot 2nd Earl Rochester (age 10) succeeded 2nd Earl Rochester, 2nd Viscount Wilmot.

In 1659 Henry Lee 3rd Baronet (age 21) died of smallpox. His brother [her future brother-in-law] Francis Lee 4th Baronet (age 19) succeeded 4th Baronet Lee of Quarrendon in Buckinghamshire.

Pepy's Diary. 28 May 1665. Thence to my Lady Sandwich's (age 40), where, to my shame, I had not been a great while before. Here, upon my telling her a story of my [her future husband] Lord Rochester's (age 18) running away on Friday night last with Mrs. Mallett (age 14), the great beauty and fortune of the North, who had supped at White Hall with Mrs. Stewart (age 17), and was going home to her lodgings with her grandfather, my [her grandfather] Lord Haly (age 57), by coach; and was at Charing Cross [Map] seized on by both horse and foot men, and forcibly taken from him, and put into a coach with six horses, and two women provided to receive her, and carried away. Upon immediate pursuit, my Lord of Rochester (age 18) (for whom the King (age 34) had spoke to the lady often, but with no successe) was taken at Uxbridge; but the lady (age 14) is not yet heard of, and the King (age 34) mighty angry, and the Lord (age 18) sent to the Tower [Map]. Hereupon my Lady did confess to me, as a great secret, her being concerned in this story. For if this match breaks between my Lord Rochester (age 18) and her, then, by the consent of all her friends, my Lord Hinchingbrooke (age 17) stands fair, and is invited for her. She is worth, and will be at her [her mother] mother's (age 35) death (who keeps but a little from her), £2500 per annum. Pray God give a good success to it! But my poor Lady, who is afeard of the sickness, and resolved to be gone into the country, is forced to stay in towne a day or two, or three about it, to see the event of it.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Jun 1665. Thence to the office, where upon Sir G. Carteret's (age 55) accounts, to my great vexation there being nothing done by the Controller to right the King (age 35) therein. I thence to my office and wrote letters all the afternoon, and in the evening by coach to Sir Ph. Warwicke's (age 55) about my Tangier business to get money, and so to my Lady Sandwich's (age 40), who, poor lady, expects every hour to hear of my Lord; but in the best temper, neither confident nor troubled with fear, that I ever did see in my life. She tells me my [her future husband] Lord Rochester (age 18) is now declaredly out of hopes of Mrs. Mallett (age 14), and now she is to receive notice in a day or two how the King (age 35) stands inclined to the giving leave for my Lord Hinchingbrooke (age 17) to look after her, and that being done to bring it to an end shortly.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Aug 1665. This day I had the ill news from Dagenhams, that my poor lord of Hinchingbroke [Map] his indisposition is turned to the small-pox. Poor gentleman! that he should be come from France so soon to fall sick, and of that disease too, when he should be gone to see a fine lady (age 14), his mistresse. I am most heartily sorry for it. So late setting papers to rights, and so home to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 25 Feb 1666. The Duke of Albemarle's (age 57) post is so great, having had the name of bringing in the King (age 35), that he is like to stand, or, if it were not for him, God knows in what troubles we might be from some private faction, if an army could be got into another hand, which God forbid! It is believed that though Mr. Coventry (age 38) be in appearance so great against the Chancellor (age 57), yet that there is a good understanding between the Duke and him. He dreads the issue of this year, and fears there will be some very great revolutions before his coming back again. He doubts it is needful for him to have a pardon for his last year's actions, all which he did without commission, and at most but the King's private single word for that of Bergen; but he dares not ask it at this time, lest it should make them think that there is something more in it than yet they know; and if it should be denied, it would be of very ill consequence. He says also, if it should in Parliament be enquired into the selling of Dunkirke (though the Chancellor (age 57) was the man that would have it sold to France, saying the King of Spayne had no money to give for it); yet he will be found to have been the greatest adviser of it; which he is a little apprehensive may be called upon this Parliament. He told me it would not be necessary for him to tell me his debts, because he thinks I know them so well. He tells me, that for the match propounded of Mrs. Mallett (age 15) for my Lord Hinchingbrooke (age 18), it hath been lately off, and now her friends bring it on again, and an overture hath been made to him by a servant of hers, to compass the thing without consent of friends, she herself having a respect to my Lord's family, but my Lord will not listen to it but in a way of honour. The Duke hath for this weeke or two been very kind to him, more than lately; and so others, which he thinks is a good sign of faire weather again. He says the Archbishopp of Canterbury (age 67) hath been very kind to him, and hath plainly said to him that he and all the world knows the difference between his judgment and brains and the Duke of Albemarle's (age 57), and then calls my Lady Duchesse (age 46) the veryst slut and drudge and the foulest worde that can be spoke of a woman almost.

Pepy's Diary. 26 Aug 1666. But, however, I was in pain, after we come out, to know how I had done; and hear well enough. But, however, it shall be a caution to me to prepare myself against a day of inquisition. Being come out, I met with Mr. Moore, and he and I an houre together in the Gallery, telling me how far they are gone in getting my Lord [Sandwich's] pardon, so as the Chancellor (age 57) is prepared in it; and Sir H. Bennet (age 48) do promote it, and the warrant for the King's signing is drawn. The business between my Lord Hinchingbrooke (age 18) and Mrs. Mallett (age 15) is quite broke off; he attending her at Tunbridge [Map], and she declaring her affections to be settled; and he not being fully pleased with the vanity and liberty of her carriage. He told me how my Lord has drawn a bill of exchange from Spayne of £1200, and would have me supply him with £500 of it, but I avoyded it, being not willing to embarke myself in money there, where I see things going to ruine.

Pepy's Diary. 25 Nov 1666. The Council up, after speaking with Sir W. Coventry (age 38) a little, away home with Captain Cocke (age 49) in his coach, discourse about the forming of his contract he made with us lately for hempe, and so home, where we parted, and I find my uncle Wight (age 64) and Mrs. Wight and Woolly, who staid and supped, and mighty merry together, and then I to my chamber to even my journal, and then to bed. I will remember that Mr. Ashburnham (age 62) to-day at dinner told how the rich fortune Mrs. Mallett (age 15) reports of her servants; that my Lord Herbert (age 25) would have had her; my Lord Hinchingbrooke (age 18) was indifferent to have her1 my Lord John Butler (age 23) might not have her; my [her future husband] Lord of Rochester (age 19) would have forced her2 and Sir---Popham (age 20), who nevertheless is likely to have her, would kiss her breach to have her.

Note 1. They had quarrelled (see August 26th). She, perhaps, was piqued at Lord Hinchingbroke's (age 18) refusal "to compass the thing without consent of friends" (see February 25th), whence her expression, "indifferent" to have her. It is worthy of remark that their children intermarried; Lord Hinchingbroke's (age 18) son (age 18) married Lady Rochester's (age 15) [her daughter] daughter. B.

Note 2. Of the lady (age 15) thus sought after, whom Pepys calls "a beauty" as well as a fortune, and who shortly afterwards, about the 4th February, 1667, became the wife of the Earl of Rochester (age 19), then not twenty years old, no authentic portrait is known to exist. When Mr. Miller, of Albemarle Street, in 1811, proposed to publish an edition of the "Memoires de Grammont", he sent an artist to Windsor to copy there the portraits which he could find of those who figure in that work. In the list given to him for this purpose was the name of Lady Rochester. Not finding amongst the "Beauties", or elsewhere, any genuine portrait of her, but seeing that by Hamilton she is absurdly styled "une triste heritiere", the artist made a drawing from some unknown portrait at Windsor of a lady of a sorrowful countenance, and palmed it off upon the bookseller. In the edition of "Grammont" it is not actually called Lady Rochester, but "La Triste Heritiere". A similar falsification had been practised in Edwards's edition of 1793, but a different portrait had been copied. It is needless, almost, to remark how ill applied is Hamilton's epithet. B.

On 29 Jan 1667 John Wilmot 2nd Earl Rochester (age 19) and Elizabeth Malet Countess Rochester (age 16) were married at Knightsbridge Chapel. She by marriage Countess Rochester. They having eloped and married against her families wishes. Two years previously he had abducted her for which he spent three weeks in prison. Her father being dead it isn't clear whose ward she was. He the son of Henry Wilmot 1st Earl Rochester and Anne St John Countess Rochester (age 52).

Pepy's Diary. 04 Feb 1667. Soon as dined, my wife and I out to the Duke's playhouse, and there saw "Heraclius", an excellent play, to my extraordinary content; and the more from the house being very full, and great company; among others, Mrs. Steward (age 19), very fine, with her locks done up with puffes, as my wife calls them: and several other great ladies had their hair so, though I do not like it; but my wife do mightily-but it is only because she sees it is the fashion. Here I saw my [her husband] Lord Rochester (age 19) and his lady, Mrs. Mallet (age 16), who hath after all this ado married him; and, as I hear some say in the pit, it is a great act of charity, for he hath no estate. But it was pleasant to see how every body rose up when my Lord John Butler (age 24), the Duke of Ormond's (age 56) son, come into the pit towards the end of the play, who was a servant [lover] to Mrs. Mallet (age 16), and now smiled upon her, and she on him. I had sitting next to me a woman, the likest my Baroness Castlemayne (age 26) that ever I saw anybody like another; but she is a whore, I believe, for she is acquainted with every fine fellow, and called them by their name, Jacke, and Tom, and before the end of the play frisked to another place. Mightily pleased with the play, we home by coach, and there a little to the office, and then to my chamber, and there finished my Catalogue of my books with my own hand, and so to supper and to bed, and had a good night's rest, the last night's being troublesome, but now my heart light and full of resolution of standing close to my business.

Before 04 Dec 1667 [her brother-in-law] Francis Lee 4th Baronet (age 28) and Elizabeth Pope Countess Lindsey were married. She by marriage Lady Lee of Quarrendon in Buckinghamshire. She the daughter of Thomas Pope 2nd Earl Downe and Lucy Dutton Countess Downe. He the son of Francis Henry Lee 2nd Baronet and Anne St John Countess Rochester (age 53).

On 04 Dec 1667 [her brother-in-law] Francis Lee 4th Baronet (age 28) died. His son Edward Lee 1st Earl Lichfield (age 4) succeeded 5th Baronet Lee of Quarrendon in Buckinghamshire.

Before 30 Aug 1669 [her daughter] Anne Wilmot was born to [her husband] John Wilmot 2nd Earl Rochester (age 22) and Elizabeth Malet Countess Rochester (age 18) at Ditchley Park, Oxfordshire [Map].

In 1671 [her son] Charles Wilmot 3rd Earl Rochester was born to [her husband] John Wilmot 2nd Earl Rochester (age 23) and Elizabeth Malet Countess Rochester (age 20).

Before 13 Jul 1674 [her daughter] Elizabeth Wilmot Countess Sandwich was born to [her husband] John Wilmot 2nd Earl Rochester (age 27) and Elizabeth Malet Countess Rochester (age 23).

Before 06 Jan 1676 [her daughter] Malet Wilmot Viscountess Lisburne was born to [her husband] John Wilmot 2nd Earl Rochester (age 28) and Elizabeth Malet Countess Rochester (age 25).

On 26 Jul 1680 [her husband] John Wilmot 2nd Earl Rochester (age 33) died. His son [her son] Charles Wilmot 3rd Earl Rochester (age 9) succeeded 3rd Earl Rochester, 3rd Viscount Wilmot.

Before 07 Dec 1680 Peter Lely (age 62). Portrait of Elizabeth Malet Countess Rochester (age 29).

On 20 Aug 1681 Elizabeth Malet Countess Rochester (age 30) died.

Royal Ancestors of Elizabeth Malet Countess Rochester 1651-1681

Kings Wessex: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 10 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of William "Lion" I King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of Philip "The Fair" IV King France

Royal Descendants of Elizabeth Malet Countess Rochester 1651-1681

Diana Spencer Princess Wales x 1

Ancestors of Elizabeth Malet Countess Rochester 1651-1681

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Malet

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Malet

GrandFather: John Malet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Popham 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Stradling 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane aka Joan Stradling 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Arundell 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Popham 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Father: John Malet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Tracy

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Tracy

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Digby

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Tracy

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Tracy 1st Viscount Tracy

GrandMother: Ann Tracy 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Shirley 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Shirley 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Shirley 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Shirley 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Kempe

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Kempe 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Browne 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Kempe 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Cheney

Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Cheney

Great x 4 Grandmother: Frideswide Frowyk

Elizabeth Malet Countess Rochester 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Hawley of Wiveliscombe

GrandFather: Francis Hawley 1st Baron Hawley 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Paulett

Great x 3 Grandfather: Amias Paulett

Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Pollard

Great x 2 Grandfather: Anthony Paulett

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Poulet 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Norreys 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Norreys 1st Baron Norreys Rycote 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Fiennes 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Norreys 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Williams 1st Baron Williams

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Williams Baroness Norreys Rycote 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Wentworth 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Mother: Unton Hawley 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Ralph Gibbes

GrandMother: Jane Gibbes Baroness Hawley