Biography of Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset 1645-1679

Paternal Family Tree: Bagot

1660 July Creation of Peerages

1665 Battle of Lowestoft

1666 Four Days' Battle

In 1645 Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset was born to Colonel Henry or Hervey Bagot (age 27).

On 01 Jan 1648 [her future brother-in-law] Maurice Berkeley 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 19) and Anne Lee Viscountess Fitzhardinge (age 25) were married.

1660 July Creation of Peerages

On 01 Jul 1663 [her future husband] Charles Berkeley 1st Earl Falmouth (age 33) was created 1st Viscount Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry, 1st Baron Berkeley of Rathdowne in Wicklow with a remainder to his father who subsequently succeeded.

In 1664 Charles Berkeley 1st Earl Falmouth (age 33) and Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset (age 19) were married. She by marriage Viscountess Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry.

On 17 Mar 1664 [her husband] Charles Berkeley 1st Earl Falmouth (age 34) was created 1st Earl Falmouth, 1st Baron Botetourt Langport in Somerset. Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset (age 19) by marriage Countess Falmouth.

Battle of Lowestoft

On 03 Jun 1665 at the Battle of Lowestoft an English fleet commanded by King James II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 31), Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland (age 45) and Edward Montagu 1st Earl Sandwich (age 39) defeated a Dutch Fleet.

Richard Boyle was killed.

Charles Maccarthy Viscount Muskerry was killed.

[her husband] Charles Berkeley 1st Earl Falmouth (age 35) was killed by a cannonball aboard the Royal Charles. Earl Falmouth extinct, Baron Botetourt Langport in Somerset extinct. His father [her father-in-law] Charles Berkeley 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 65) succeeded 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry. Penelope Godolphin Viscountess Fitzhardinge by marriage Viscountess Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry. Possibly the only occasion when a father has succeeded his son.

Charles Weston 3rd Earl of Portland (age 26) was killed by a cannon shot. On 13 Jun 1665 His uncle Thomas Weston 4th Earl of Portland (age 55) succeeded 4th Earl of Portland.

Thomas Allin 1st Baronet (age 53) was present.

Admiral Jeremy Smith commanded the Mary.

Captain George Batts fought. He was assigned to Sir George Ayscue's (age 49) division in the Blue Squadron.

James Ley 3rd Earl Marlborough (age 47) was killed at the Battle of Lowestoft commanding Old James attempting to recover a captured ship. His half brother William Ley 4th Earl Marlborough (age 53) succeeded 4th Earl Marlborough.

Four Days' Battle

From 01 Jun 1666 to 04 Jun 1666 the English and Dutch fleets engaged in battle. The English lost ten ships and 1000 men. The Dutch lost four ships and 1500 men.

On 01 Jun 1666 [her former brother-in-law] William Berkeley (age 27) was killed.

The Gloucester took part.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Jun 1666. In the gallery among others met with Major Halsey, a great creature of the Duke of Albemarle's (age 57); who tells me that the Duke, by name, hath said that he expected to have the worke here up in the River done, having left Sir W. Batten (age 65) and Mr. Phipps there. He says that the Duke of Albemarle (age 57) do say that this is a victory we have had, having, as he was sure, killed them 8000 men, and sunk about fourteen of their ships; but nothing like this appears true. He lays much of the little success we had, however, upon the fleete's being divided by order from above, and the want of spirit in the commanders; and that he was commanded by order to go out of the Downes to the Gun-fleete, and in the way meeting the Dutch fleete, what should he do? should he not fight them? especially having beat them heretofore at as great disadvantage. He tells me further, that having been downe with the Duke of Albemarle (age 57), he finds that Holmes and Spragge do govern most business of the Navy; and by others I understand that Sir Thomas Allen (age 33) is offended thereat; that he is not so much advised with as he ought to be. He tells me also, as he says, of his own knowledge, that several people before the Duke went out did offer to supply the King (age 36) with £100,000 provided he would be treasurer of it, to see it laid out for the Navy; which he refused, and so it died. But I believe none of this. This day I saw my Lady Falmouth (age 21), with whom I remember now I have dined at my Lord Barkeley's (age 64) heretofore, a pretty woman: she was now in her second or third mourning, and pretty pleasant in her looks.

On 12 Jun 1668 [her former father-in-law] Charles Berkeley 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 68) died. He was buried at Church of St Mary, Bruton [Map]. His son [her former brother-in-law] Maurice Berkeley 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 39) succeeded 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry. Anne Lee Viscountess Fitzhardinge (age 45) by marriage Viscountess Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry.

Pepy's Diary. 04 Mar 1669. Up, and a while at the office, but thinking to have Mr. Povy's (age 55) business to-day at the Committee for Tangier, I left the Board and away to White Hall, where in the first court I did meet Sir Jeremy Smith, who did tell me that Sir W. Coventry (age 41) was just now sent to the Tower, about the business of his challenging the Duke of Buckingham (age 41), and so was also Harry Saville (age 27) to the Gate-house; which, as [he is] a gentleman, and of the Duke of York's (age 35) bedchamber, I heard afterwards that the Duke of York (age 35) is mightily incensed at, and do appear very high to the King (age 38) that he might not be sent thither, but to the Tower [Map], this being done only in contempt to him. This news of Sir W. Coventry (age 41) did strike me to the heart, and with reason, for by this and my Lord of Ormond's (age 58) business, I do doubt that the Duke of Buckingham (age 41) will be so flushed, that he will not stop at any thing, but be forced to do any thing now, as thinking it not safe to end here; and, Sir W. Coventry (age 41) being gone, the King (age 38) will have never a good counsellor, nor the Duke of York (age 35) any sure friend to stick to him; nor any good man will be left to advise what is good. This, therefore, do heartily trouble me as any thing that ever I heard. So up into the House, and met with several people; but the Committee did not meet; and the whole House I find full of this business of Sir W. Coventry's (age 41), and most men very sensible of the cause and effects of it. So, meeting with my Lord Bellassis (age 54), he told me the particulars of this matter; that it arises about a quarrel which Sir W. Coventry (age 41) had with the Duke of Buckingham (age 41) about a design between the Duke and Sir Robert Howard, to bring him into a play at the King's house, which W. Coventry (age 41) not enduring, did by H. Saville (age 27) send a letter to the Duke of Buckingham (age 41), that he had a desire to speak with him. Upon which, the Duke of Buckingham (age 41) did bid Holmes (age 47), his champion ever since my Lord Shrewsbury's business1, go to him to know the business; but H. Saville (age 27) would not tell it to any but himself, and therefore did go presently to the Duke of Buckingham (age 41), and told him that his uncle Coventry (age 41) was a person of honour, and was sensible of his Grace's liberty taken of abusing him, and that he had a desire of satisfaction, and would fight with him. But that here they were interrupted by my Lord Chamberlain's (age 67) coming in, who was commanded to go to bid the Duke of Buckingham (age 41) to come to the King (age 38), Holmes (age 47) having discovered it. He told me that the King (age 38) did last night, at the Council, ask the Duke of Buckingham (age 41), upon his honour, whether he had received any challenge from W. Coventry (age 41)? which he confessed that he had; and then the King (age 38) asking W. Coventry (age 41), he told him that he did not owne what the Duke of Buckingham (age 41) had said, though it was not fit for him to give him a direct contradiction. But, being by the King (age 38) put upon declaring, upon his honour, the matter, he answered that he had understood that many hard questions had upon this business been moved to some lawyers, and that therefore he was unwilling to declare any thing that might, from his own mouth, render him obnoxious to his Majesty's displeasure, and, therefore, prayed to be excused: which the King (age 38) did think fit to interpret to be a confession, and so gave warrant that night for his commitment to the Tower. Being very much troubled at this, I away by coach homewards, and directly to the Tower, where I find him in one Mr. Bennet's house, son to Major Bayly, one of the Officers of the Ordnance, in the Bricke Tower [Map]2 where I find him busy with my Lord Halifax (age 35) and his brother (age 50); so I would not stay to interrupt them, but only to give him comfort, and offer my service to him, which he kindly and cheerfully received, only owning his being troubled for the King (age 38) his master's displeasure, which, I suppose, is the ordinary form and will of persons in this condition. And so I parted, with great content, that I had so earlily seen him there; and so going out, did meet Sir Jer. Smith going to meet me, who had newly been with Sir W. Coventry (age 41). And so he and I by water to Redriffe [Map], and so walked to Deptford, Kent [Map], where I have not been, I think, these twelve months: and there to the Treasurer's house, where the Duke of York (age 35) is, and his Duchess (age 31); and there we find them at dinner in the great room, unhung; and there was with them my Lady Duchess of Monmouth (age 31), the Countess of Falmouth (age 24), Castlemayne (age 28), Henrietta Hide (age 23) (my Lady Hinchingbroke's (age 24) sister), and my Lady Peterborough (age 47). And after dinner Sir Jer. Smith and I were invited down to dinner with some of the Maids of Honour, namely, Mrs. Ogle (age 17), Blake (age 16), and Howard (age 18), which did me good to have the honour to dine with, and look on; and the Mother of the Maids, and Mrs. Howard (age 43), the mother of the Maid of Honour of that name, and the Duke's housekeeper here. Here was also Monsieur Blancfort (age 28), Sir Richard Powell, Colonel Villers (age 48), Sir Jonathan Trelawny (age 46), and others. And here drank most excellent, and great variety, and plenty of wines, more than I have drank, at once, these seven years, but yet did me no great hurt. Having dined and very merry, and understanding by Blancfort (age 28) how angry the Duke of York (age 35) was, about their offering to send Saville to the Gate-house, among the rogues; and then, observing how this company, both the ladies and all, are of a gang, and did drink a health to the union of the two brothers, and talking of others as their enemies, they parted, and so we up; and there I did find the Duke of York (age 35) and Duchess (age 31), with all the great ladies, sitting upon a carpet, on the ground, there being no chairs, playing at "I love my love with an A, because he is so and so: and I hate him with an A, because of this and that:" and some of them, but particularly the Duchess (age 31) herself, and my Baroness Castlemayne (age 28), were very witty. This done, they took barge, and I with Sir J. Smith to Captain Cox's; and there to talk, and left them and other company to drink; while I slunk out to Bagwell's; and there saw her, and her mother, and our late maid Nell, who cried for joy to see me, but I had no time for pleasure then nor could stay, but after drinking I back to the yard, having a month's mind para have had a bout with Nell, which I believe I could have had, and may another time.

Note 1. Charles II wrote to his sister (age 24) (Henrietta, Duchess of Orléans), on March 7th, 1669: "I am not sorry that Sir Will. Coventry has given me this good occasion by sending my Lord of Buckingham (age 41) a challenge to turne him out of the Councill. I do intend to turn him allso out of the Treasury. The truth of it is, he has been a troublesome man in both places and I am well rid of him" (Julia Cartwright's "Madame", 1894, p. 283).

Note 2. The Brick Tower [Map] stands on the northern wall, a little to the west of Martin tower, with which it communicates by a secret passage. It was the residence of the Master of the Ordnance, and Raleigh was lodged here for a time.

Around 1670 John Michael Wright (age 52). Portrait of Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset (age 25).

Before 20 Mar 1674 [her father] Colonel Henry or Hervey Bagot (age 56) died.

In Jun 1674 Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex (age 31) and Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset (age 29) were married. He the son of Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 51) and Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 52).

In 1675 [her husband] Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex (age 31) was created 1st Earl Middlesex, 1st Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex. His mother [her mother-in-law] Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 53) was sister to the last Earl of Middlesex of the previous creation Lionel Cranfield 3rd Earl Middlesex whose estates he had inherited.

On 27 Aug 1677 [her father-in-law] Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset (age 54) died. His son [her husband] Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex (age 34) succeeded 6th Earl Dorset, 6th Baron Buckhurst. Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset (age 32) by marriage Countess Dorset.

In 1679 Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset (age 34) died.

On 07 Mar 1685 [her former husband] Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex (age 42) and Mary Compton Countess Dorset and Middlesex (age 16) were married. She by marriage Countess Dorset, Countess Middlesex. The difference in their ages was 25 years. She the daughter of James Compton 3rd Earl of Northampton and Mary Noel Countess Northampton. He the son of Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset and Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 63).

Letters of Horace Walpole. 05 Aug 1752. From Sevenoaks [Map] we went to Knowle. The park is sweet, with much old beech, and an immense sycamore before the great gate, that makes me more in love than ever with sycamores. The house is not near so extensive as I expected:330 the outward court has a beautiful decent simplicity that charms one. The apartments are many, but not large. The furniture throughout, ancient magnificence; loads of portraits, not good nor curious; ebony cabinets, embossed silver in vases, dishes, etc. embroidered beds, stiff chairs, and sweet bags lying on velvet tables, richly worked in silk and gold. There are two galleries, one very small; an old hall, and a spacious great drawing-room. There is never a good staircase. The first little room you enter has sundry portraits of the times; but they seem to have been bespoke by the yard, and drawn all by the same painter; One should be happy if they were authentic; for among them there is Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, Gardiner of Winchester, the Earl of Surry, the poet, when a boy, and a Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, but I don't know which. The only fine picture is of Lord Goring and Endymion Porter by Vandyke. There is a good head of the Queen of Bohemia, a whole-length of Duc d'Espernon, and another good head of the Clifford, Countess of Dorset, who wrote that admirable haughty letter to Secretary Williamson, when he recommended a person to her for member for Appleby: "I have been bullied by an usurper, I have been neglected by a court, but I won't be dictated to by a subject: your man shan't stand. Ann Dorset, Pembroke and Montgomery." In the chapel is a piece of ancient tapestry: Saint Luke in his first profession is holding an urinal. Below stairs is a chamber of poets and players, which is proper enough in that house; for the first Earl wrote a play331, and the last [her former husband] Earl was a poet332, and I think married a player333 Major Mohun and Betterton are curious among the latter, Cartwright and Flatman among the former. The arcade is newly enclosed, painted in fresco, and with modern glass of all the family matches. In the gallery is a whole-length of the unfortunate Earl of Surry, with his device, a broken column, and the motto Sat superest. My father had one of them, but larger, and with more emblems, which the Duke of Norfolk bought at my brother's sale. There is one good head of henry VIII, and divers of Cranfield, Earl of Middlesex, the citizen who came to be lord treasurer, and was very near coming to be hanged.334 His Countess, a bouncing kind of lady-mayoress, looks pure awkward amongst so much good company. A visto cut through the wood has a delightful effect from the front: but there are some trumpery fragments of gardens that spoil the view from the state apartments.

Note 329. Only son of Dr. Richard Bentley, the celebrated Divine and classical scholar. He was educated at Trinity College, under his father. Cumberland, who was his nephew, describes him as a man of various and considerable accomplishments; possessing a fine genius, great wit, and a brilliant imagination; "but there was," he adds, "a certain eccentricity and want of prudence in his character, that involved him in distresses, and reduced him to situations uncongenial with his feelings, and unpropitious to the cultivation and encouragement of his talents."-E.

Note 330. Evelyn in his Diary for July 25, 1673, says, "In my way I visited my Lord of Dorset's house at Knowle, near Sevenoaks, a greate old-fashion'd house."-E.

Note 331. Thomas Sackville, Lord Buckhurst, while a student in the Temple, wrote his tragedy of Gordobuc, which was played before Queen Elizabeth, at Whitehall, in 1561. He was created Earl of Dorset by James the First, in 1604.-E.

Note 332. Charles Sackville, sixth Earl of Dorset. On the day previous to the naval engagement with the Dutch, in 1665, he is said to have composed his celebrated song, "to all you Ladies now on Land."-E.

Note 333. On the contrary, he married the Lady Frances, daughter of the Earl of Middlesex, who survived him.-E. [Note. This appears to be a mistake insofar as [her former father-in-law] Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset married [her former mother-in-law] Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset who was the daughter of Lionel Cranfield 1st Earl Middlesex. Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex married firstly Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset and secondly Mary Compton Countess Dorset and Middlesex. There, however, references to his marrying an actress Alice Lee with whom he appear to have had a daughter Mary Sackville Countess Orrery.]

Note 334. Lionel Cranfield, Earl of Middlesex, married two wives: the first was the daughter of a London citizen; the second, the daughter of James Brett, Esq. and half-sister of Mary Beaumont, created Countess of Buckingham. To this last alliance, Lord Middlesex owed his extraordinary advancement.-E.

Royal Ancestors of Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset 1645-1679

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

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Malcolm III King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 26 Grand Daughter of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King Franks

Kings France: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Robert "Pious" II King France

Ancestors of Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset 1645-1679

Great x 4 Grandfather: Lewis Bagot 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Bagot 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Ann Montgomery 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Bagot 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Walter Bagot 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

GrandFather: Hervey Bagot 1st Baronet 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Cave

Great x 2 Grandfather: Roger Cave of Stanford

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Danvers

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Danvers

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cave

Great x 4 Grandfather: David Cecil

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Cecil

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Dicons

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Cecil

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Heckington

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Heckington

Father: Colonel Henry or Hervey Bagot 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England