Biography of Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland 1580-1629

Paternal Family Tree: Fane

Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Wychingham

Around 1564 [his father] Thomas Fane (age 54) and Elizabeth Culpepper (age 18) were married. The difference in their ages was 36 years.

Letters of Horace Walpole. 07 Aug 1572. Since dinner we have been to Lord Westmorland's which is so perfect in a Palladian taste, that I must own it has recovered me a little from Gothic. It is better situated than I had expected from the bad reputation it bears, and some prospect, though it is in a moat, and mightily besprinkled with small ponds. The design, you know, is taken from the Villa del Capra by Vicenza, but on a larger scale: yet, though it has cost an hundred thousand pounds, it is still only a fine villa: the finishing of in and outside has been exceedingly Expensive. A wood that runs up a hill behind the house is broke like an Albano landscape, with an octagon temple and a triumphal arch; But then there are some dismal clipt hedges, and a pyramid, which by a most unnatural copulation is at once a grotto and a greenhouse. Does it not put you in mind of the proposal for your drawing a garden-seat, Chinese on one side and Gothic on the other? The chimneys, which are collected to a centre, spoil the dome of the house, and the hall is a dark well. The gallery is eighty-two feet long, hung with green velvet and pictures, among which is a fine Rembrandt and a pretty La Hire. The ceilings are painted, and there is a fine bed of silk and gold tapestry. The attic is good, and the wings extremely pretty, with porticoes formed on the style of the house. The Earl has built a new church, with a steeple which seems designed for the latitude, of Cheapside, and is so tall that the poor church curtsies under it, like Mary Rich346 in a vast high-crown hat: it has a round portico, like St. Clement's, with vast Doric pillars supporting a thin shelf. The inside is the most abominable piece of tawdriness that ever was seen, stuffed with pillars painted in imitation of verd antique, as all the sides are like Sienna marble: but the greatest absurdity is a Doric frieze, between the triglyphs of which is the Jehovah, the I.H.S. and the Dove. There is a little chapel with Nevil tombs, particularly of the first Fane, Earl of Westmorland, and of the founder of the old church, and the heart of a knight who was killed in the wars. On the Fane tomb is a pedigree of brass in relief, and a genealogy of virtues to answer it. There is an entire window of painted-glass arms, chiefly modern, in the chapel, and another over the high altar. The hospitality of the house was truly Gothic; for they made our postilion drunk, and he overturned us close to a water and the bank did but just save us from being in the middle of it. Pray, whenever you travel in Kentish roads, take care of keeping your driver sober.

Note 346. Daughter of Sir Robert Rich, and elder sister of Elizabeth Rich, Lady Lyttelton.

On 12 Dec 1574 [his father] Thomas Fane (age 64) and [his mother] Mary Neville 3rd Baroness Despencer (age 20) were married at Birling, Kent [Map]. The difference in their ages was 44 years. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 01 Feb 1580 Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland was born to Thomas Fane (age 70) and Mary Neville 3rd Baroness Despencer (age 26).

On 12 Mar 1589 [his father] Thomas Fane (age 79) died.

Around 1592 Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 11) educated at Maidstone Grammar School.

On 15 Feb 1598 Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 18) and Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 16) were married.

On 24 Jan 1602 [his son] Mildmay Fane 2nd Earl of Westmoreland was born to Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 21) and [his wife] Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 20).

Coronation of James I

On 23 Jul 1603 King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 37) created a number Knights at the Royal Gardens Whitehall Palace:

Henry Savile 1st Baronet (age 24), William Morgan (age 43), George Carew, Baptist Hicks 1st Viscount Campden (age 46), Richard Musgrave 1st Baronet (age 18), James Calthorpe (age 44), Thomas Gresham (age 56), [his brother] George Fane of Burston (age 22), Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 23), Robert Chichester (age 25), William Pope 1st Earl Downe (age 29), Gervase Clifton 1st Baronet (age 15), Thomas Berkeley (age 28), Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 40), William Herbert 1st Baron Powis (age 30), Anthony Irby (age 26), Drue Drury of Eccles and Rollesby in Norfolk and Arnold Lygon (age 45).

24 Jul 1603 Richard Browne Clerk (age 64).

In 1606 [his daughter] Mary Fane Baroness Gerard was born to Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 25) and [his wife] Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 24).

In 1608 [his daughter] Elizabeth Fane was born to Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 27) and [his wife] Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 26).

Around 1610 [his son] Robert Fane was born to Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 29) and [his wife] Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 28).

Around 1611 [his son] Francis Fane was born to Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 30) and [his wife] Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 29).

In 1613 [his son] Anthony Fane was born to Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 32) and [his wife] Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 31).

On or before 28 Jan 1613 [his daughter] Rachael Fane Countess Bath and Middlesex was born to Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 32) and [his wife] Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 31) at Mereworth Castle. She was baptised at Mereworth on 28 Jan 1613.

Around 1616 [his son] George Fane was born to Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 35) and [his wife] Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 34).

On 11 Sep 1617 [his father-in-law] Anthony Mildmay (age 68) died. He was buried at the Church of St Leonard, Apethorpe [Map]. His inscription reads ... Here sleepeth in the Lord with certaine hope of resurection Sr Antony Mildmay Knt eldet sonne to Sr Walter Mildmay Knt Chaunclor of the Exchequor. to Queene Elizabeth. He was Embassador from Queen Eliza: to the most Christian King of Fraunce Henry the 4th Ano. 1596; He was to Prince and Country faithful, and serviceable, in peace and warre, to freinds constant to enemies reconciliable. Bountiful and loved hospitality. He died September 11 1617.

On 27 Jul 1620 [his mother-in-law] Grace Sharington (age 68) died. She was buried at the Church of St Leonard, Apethorpe [Map]. The inscription of her monument reads ... Here also lyeth Grace Ladie Mildmay the only wife of the saied Sr Antho: Mildmay one of the heyres of Sr Henry Sharington Knt: of Lacock in the County of Wiltes who lived 50 years maried to him and three years a widow after him. she was most devout, unspotedly chast mayd, wife, and widow, compassionate in heart, and charitably helpful with phisick, cloathes, nourishment, or counsels to any in misery, She was most careful and wise in managing worldly estate. So as her life was a blessing to hirs, and hir death she blessed them which hapned July 27 1620.

From RCHME Inventory. It is of grey veined and black marble and is partly gilded and painted. Two effigies lie on a black and white marble tomb chest beneath a baldachino consisting of a shallow dome with a cupola having round-headed openings in its drum, which give light to the interior. The baldachino is supported at each end by a rectangular pier onto which curtains, hanging from the architrave of the dome, are looped. Against the piers are standing figures representing the four Virtues, and the frieze is inscribed 'Devoute', 'Wise', 'Charitable' and 'Just'; the frieze is also inscribed 'Chaste' and 'Valiant'. The head of the figure representing Justice is modern. Seated on the cornice are smaller figures, on the E. of Faith and on the W. of Hope; on the cupola dome is a seated figure of Charity. Crowning the cornice are freestanding cartouches of arms of Mildmay (N.E. and S.E.) and Sherington (N.W. and S.W.). Against the cupola drum are shields of arms of Mildmay impaling Sherington, both quartered with alliances, and Mildmay quarterly. The W. pier of the baldachino is inscribed with a record of the setting up of the monument by Sir Francis Fane (age 37) in 1621. The tomb chest is enriched with emblems of mortality and eulogistically-phrased inscriptions record the lives of Sir Anthony on the S., and of Lady Grace on the N. The effigies lie on rush mats, he in Greenwich armour, she in full mantle, ruff and head-dress. The authorship of the monument is not known but the figures of the four Virtues are in the manner of Maximillian Colt (age 42) (cf. Cecil monument, Hatfield, Hertfordshire); the baldachino may be compared with that over the tomb of the Countess of Derby at Harefield, Middlesex, probably also by Colt (age 42).

Grace Sharington: Around 1552 she was born to Henry Sharington of Lacock in Wiltshire and Anne Paggett of Lacock Abbey. In 1567 Anthony Mildmay and she were married. They lived at Apethorpe Hall, Northamptonshire. In 1581 Henry Sharington of Lacock in Wiltshire died. His two surviving daughters for many disputed his will. According to Grace Sharington her sister Olive Sharington had persuaded their father to change his will. Grace Sharington eventually gained an equal share.

In 1622 Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 41) purchased Fulbeck Hall from George Manners 7th Earl of Rutland (age 52) who continued to live there until he became 7th Earl of Rutland on 17 Dec 1632.

On 29 Dec 1624 Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 44) was created 1st Earl of Westmoreland, 1st Baron Burghesh in Suffolk. [his wife] Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 42) by marriage Countess of Westmoreland.

Around 1625 [his daughter] Catherine Fane was born to Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 44) and [his wife] Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 43).

Around 1625 Cornelius Johnson (age 31). Portrait of Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 44).

After 18 May 1625 [his son-in-law] Dutton Gerard 3rd Baron Gerard (age 12) and [his daughter] Mary Fane Baroness Gerard (age 19) were married. She by marriage Baroness Gerard of Gerard's Bromley. She the daughter of Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 45) and Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 43).

In 1626 [his son-in-law] James Home 2nd Earl of Home (age 19) and [his daughter] Grace Fane Countess Home were married. She by marriage Countess of Home. She the daughter of Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 45) and Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 44). He the son of Alexander Home 1st Earl of Home and Mary Dudley Countess Home (age 40).

On 28 Jun 1626 [his mother] Mary Neville 3rd Baroness Despencer (age 72) died. She was buried at Mereworth, Kent. Her son Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 46) succeeded 4th Baron Despencer. [his wife] Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 44) by marriage Baroness Despencer.

On 06 Jul 1626 [his son] Mildmay Fane 2nd Earl of Westmoreland (age 24) and [his daughter-in-law] Grace Thornhurst Countess of Westmoreland (age 22) were married. He the son of Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 46) and Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 44). They were fourth cousins.

On 23 Mar 1629 Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 49) died. His son [his son] Mildmay Fane 2nd Earl of Westmoreland (age 27) succeeded 2nd Earl of Westmoreland, 5th Baron Despencer, 2nd Baron Burghesh in Suffolk. [his daughter-in-law] Grace Thornhurst Countess of Westmoreland (age 25) by marriage Countess of Westmoreland.

[his son] Francis Fane (age 18) inherited Fulbeck Hall. The Hall was confiscated from him during the Commonwealth; he bought it back.

On 09 Apr 1640 [his former wife] Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland (age 58) died.

[his son] William Fane was born to Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland.

[his daughter] Grace Fane Countess Home was born to Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland.

Royal Ancestors of Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland 1580-1629

Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

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

Kings Franks: Great x 12 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 8 Grand Son of Philip "The Fair" IV King France

Ancestors of Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland 1580-1629

GrandFather: George Fane

Father: Thomas Fane

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Waller

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Waller

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Waller of Groombridge

GrandMother: Joan Waller

Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Neville 1st Baron Bergavenny Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: George Neville 4th and 2nd Baron Bergavenny 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Beauchamp 1st Earl of Worcester 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Beauchamp 3rd Baroness Bergavenny 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Despencer Countess Warwick and Worcester Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: George Neville 5th and 3rd Baron Bergavenny 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh Fenn

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Fenne Baroness Bergavenny

GrandFather: Henry Neville 6th and 4th Baron Bergavenny 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Beaufort 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers

Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham Duchess Bedford 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Stafford Baroness Bergavenny 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Poynings Countess Northumberland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Percy Duchess Buckingham 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Devereux 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Mother: Mary Neville 3rd Baroness Despencer 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Manners

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Manners 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Ogle 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: George Manners 11th Baron Ros Helmsley 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Ros 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Tiptoft Baroness Ros Helmsley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John St Leger 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas St Leger 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Donet

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne St Leger Baroness Ros Helmsley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke York Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne York Duchess Exeter 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

GrandMother: Frances Manners Baroness Bergavenny 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Paston

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Paston

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Mautby

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Paston

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Brewes

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Brewes

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Debenham

Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Heydon

Great x 2 Grandmother: Bridget Heydon

Great x 4 Grandfather: Geoffrey Boleyn

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Boleyn

Great x 4 Grandmother: Ann Hoo