Biography of Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck 1602-1645

Paternal Family Tree: Coke

Maternal Family Tree: Aoife NI Diarmait Macmurrough Countess Pembroke and Buckingham 1145-1188

On 13 Aug 1582 [her father] Edward Coke (age 30) and Bridget Paston were married. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Around 1593 William Newport aka Hatton (age 33) and [her mother] Elizabeth Cecil Lady Hatton (age 15) were married. She the daughter of Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter (age 50) and Dorothy Neville Countess Exeter (age 45).

After 27 Jun 1598 [her father] Edward Coke (age 46) and [her mother] Elizabeth Cecil Lady Hatton (age 20) were married. The difference in their ages was 25 years. She the daughter of Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter (age 56) and Dorothy Neville Countess Exeter (age 50).

Essex Rebellion

Brief Lives: Charles Danvers 1568 1601. [711]Sir Charles Danvers (age 33) was beheaded on Tower-hill [Map] with Robert, earle of Essex (age 35), February the 6th, 1600[712]. I find in the register of the Tower chapell [Map] only the sepulture of Robert, earl of Essex (age 35), that yeare; wherfore I am induced to beleeve that his body was carryed to Dantesey[CX] in Wilts to lye with his ancestors. Vide Stowe's Chronicle, where is a full account of his and the earle's deportment at their death on the scaffold.

With all their faylings, Wilts cannot shew two such[713] brothers.

His familiar acquaintance were...[714], earl of Oxon (age 50); Sir Francis (age 40) and Sir Horace Vere (age 36); Sir Walter Ralegh (age 47), etc.-the heroes of those times.

Quaere my lady viscountesse Purbec and also the lord Norris for an account of the behaviour and advice of Sir Charles Danvers in the businesse of the earl of Essex, which advice had the earle followed he had saved his life.

[715]Of Sir Charles Danvers, from my lady viscountesse Purbec:-Sir Charles Danvers advised the earle of Essex, either to treat with the queen-hostages..., whom Sir Ferdinando Gorges (age 36) did let goe; or to make his way through the gate at Essex house, and then to hast away to Highgate, and so to Northumberland (the earl of Northumberland maried his mother's (age 51) sister), and from thence to the king of Scots, and there they might make their peace; if not, the queen was old and could not live long. But the earle followed not his advice, and so they both lost their heads on Tower-hill.

Note.

[711]. MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 25v.

[712]. i.e. 1600/1.

[713]. Dupl. with 'shew the like two brothers,' scil. as Sir Charles Danvers and his brother Henry, earl of Danby.

[714]. Edward Vere, seventeenth earl of Oxford (age 50).

[CX]In MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 46, Aubrey writes, in reference to burials at Dantesey, 'quaere, if Sir Charles Danvers that was beheaded?-He was buryed in the Tower chapell.' Aubrey's description of the burial-place of the Danvers family (MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 46), with the inscriptions, is printed in J. E. Jackson's Aubrey's Wiltshire Collections, pp. 223-225; the pedigree of Danvers is there given at p. 216.

Before 02 Sep 1602 Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck was born to Edward Coke (age 50) and Elizabeth Cecil Lady Hatton (age 24). She was baptised on 02 Sep 1602 at St Andrew Holborn.

Around 1612 [her future brother-in-law] Edward Villiers (age 27) and Barbara St John were married.

On 29 Sep 1617 John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck (age 26) and Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck (age 15) were married at Hampton Court Palace, Richmond [Map]. King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 51) gave away the bride. He the son of George Villiers of Brokesby and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham (age 47).

On 19 Jul 1619 [her husband] John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck (age 28) was created 1st Viscount Purbeck. Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck (age 16) by marriage Viscountess Purbeck.

On 19 Jul 1619 [her brother-in-law] William Villiers 1st Baronet (age 53) was created 1st Baronet Villiers of Brooksby in Leicestershire.

Before 1620 [her brother-in-law] William Villiers 1st Baronet (age 54) and Rebecca Roper Lady Villiers were married. She by marriage Lady Villiers of Brooksby in Leicestershire.

In 1621 Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck (age 18) deserted her husband [her husband] John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck (age 30) and went to live with Robert Howard (age 37) with whom she had a son.

In 1623 Michiel Janszoon van Mierevelt (age 56). Portrait of Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck (age 20).

On 19 Oct 1624 [her illegitimate son] Robert Wright aka Villiers aka Danvers was born illegitimately to Robert Howard (age 40) and Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck (age 22) in Cripplegate Ward. Illegitimate. His father probably Robert Howard (age 40) with whom his mother was having a long term affair. His mother was married to [her husband] John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck (age 33). He was baptised Robert Wright.

In Jan 1625 King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 58) signed a warrant for the trial for adultery of the Robert Howard (age 41) and Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck (age 22) in the ecclesiastical Court of High Commission. The trial was likely at the instigation of her brother-in-law [her brother-in-law] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 32). Robert Howard (age 41) was imprisoned at the Fleet Prison [Map]. She was placed under house arrest.

On 07 Sep 1626 [her brother-in-law] Edward Villiers (age 41) died.

In Nov 1627 Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck (age 25) was convicted of adultery, or incontinency as it was known then. The judges included John Donne (age 55) who was ean of St Paul's at the time. She fled to France.

Before 12 Jun 1629 [her brother-in-law] William Villiers 1st Baronet (age 63) and Anne Griffin Lady Villiers (age 64) were married. She by marriage Lady Villiers of Brooksby in Leicestershire.

On 12 Jun 1629 [her brother-in-law] William Villiers 1st Baronet (age 63) died. His son George Villiers 2nd Baronet (age 9) succeeded 2nd Baronet Villiers of Brooksby in Leicestershire.

On 03 Sep 1634 [her father] Edward Coke (age 82) died. Monument in Church of St Mary the Virgin, Tittleshall [Map]. Simple sarcophagus on pedestal with lying effigy. Pair of flanking Tuscan columns supporting a full entablature with putti on frieze and broken segmental pediment. Carved and painted achievement in and above tympanum flanked by four reclining figures of the Virtues on pediment extrados.

Above. Quarterly of eight: Coke Arms, Crispin, Folkard, Sparham, Nerford, Yarmouth, Knightley Arms and Pawe. The crest is broken. Farrer says it was: On a chapeau Azure, turned up Ermine, an ostrich Argent, holding in its mouth a horseshoe Or. The motto reads Prudens qui Patiens.

The effigy was carved by John Hargrave, the rest of the memorial was made by Nicholas Stone (age 47).

Below the effigy are three shields. Left Coke Arms implaling Paston Arms. His first wife Bridget Paston. Middle Coke Arms. Right Coke Arms impaling Cecil Arms; his second wife Elizabeth Cecil Countess Berkshire (age 38).

Bridget Paston: she was born to John Paston. On 13 Aug 1582 Edward Coke and she were married. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 04 Jun 1645 Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck (age 42) died at Oxford, Oxfordshire [Map]. She was buried at the Church of St Mary the Virgin.

Before 18 Feb 1658 [her former husband] John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck (age 67) and Elizabeth Slingsby were married. He the son of George Villiers of Brokesby and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham.

On 18 Feb 1658 [her former husband] John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck (age 67) died without issue. Viscount Purbeck extinct although [her illegitimate son] Robert Wright aka Villiers aka Danvers (age 33), illegitimate son of his wife Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck and Robert Howard attempted to claim the title.

Brief Lives: Elizabeth Danvers. [716]His[CY] mother, an Italian, prodigious parts for a woman. I have heard my father's mother say that she had Chaucer at her fingers' ends.

A great politician; great witt and spirit, but revengefull[717].

Knew how to manage her estate as well as any man; understood jewells as well as any jeweller.

Very beautifull, but only short-sighted. To obtain pardons for her sonnes[718] she maryed Sir Edmund Carey, cosen-german to queen Elizabeth, but kept him to hard meate.

Smyth of Smythcotes-Naboth's vineyard-digitus Dei[CZ].

The arcanum-'traditio lampadis' in the family of Latimer[DA] of poysoning king Henry 8-from my lady Purbec.

Notes.

Note 716. MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 25.

Note 717. Aubrey, in the margin, notes 'Anne Bulleyn.'

Note 718. For the murder of Henry Long.

[CY]. i.e. Henry, earl of Danby's. She was Elizabeth, daughter of John Nevill, the last lord Latimer. 'An Italian' may mean that she knew that language, among her other accomplishments. I can make nothing of a note added by Aubrey here, which seems to read '... Cowley, crop-ear'd.'

[CZ]. I do not know to what circumstance, in the history of the Danvers family, Aubrey here applies 1 Kings xxi. 19.

[DA]. Catherine Parr, last consort of Henry VIII, was widow of John, 3rd lord Latimer; and step-mother of John, 4th lord Latimer, the father of this Elizabeth Danvers, whose grand-daughter ('viscountess Purbeck') was Aubrey's informant.

Royal Ancestors of Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck 1602-1645

Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of William "Lion" I King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 10 Grand Daughter of Philip "The Fair" IV King France

Ancestors of Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck 1602-1645

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Coke of Sparham

GrandFather: Robert Coke

Father: Edward Coke

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Knightley

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Knightley

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Knightley

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Knightley

GrandMother: Winifred Knightley

Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Cecil

Great x 3 Grandfather: David Cecil

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Cecil

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Dicons

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Heckington

Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Heckington

GrandFather: Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Cheke

Great x 2 Grandfather: Peter Cheke

Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Cheke

Mother: Elizabeth Cecil Lady Hatton 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Neville 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Neville 2nd Baron Latimer of Snape 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Bourchier 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Neville 3rd Baron Latimer 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Stafford Baroness Latimer 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Fray

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Neville 4th Baron Latimer of Snape 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John de Vere 12th Earl of Oxford 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: George de Vere 6 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Howard Countess of Oxford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy de Vere 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Stafford 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Stafford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Chideocke 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

GrandMother: Dorothy Neville Countess Exeter 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke Somerset 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Hill

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon 9 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Herbert 3rd Baroness Herbert Raglan 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Lucy Somerset Baroness Latimer Snape 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Browne

Great x 3 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Fitzalan 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Lucy Neville 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Ingaldsthorpe 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England