Biography of William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire 1640-1707

Paternal Family Tree: Cavendish

Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Leybourne Duchess Norfolk 1536-1567

On 20 Jun 1628 [his grandfather] William Cavendish 2nd Earl Devonshire (age 38) died at Devonshire House. He was buried at Derby Cathedral [Map]. His son [his father] William Cavendish 3rd Earl Devonshire (age 10) succeeded 3rd Earl Devonshire, 3rd Baron Cavendish Hardwick.

On 04 Mar 1639 [his father] William Cavendish 3rd Earl Devonshire (age 21) and [his mother] Elizabeth Cecil Countess Devonshire (age 20) were married. She by marriage Countess Devonshire. She the daughter of William Cecil 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 47) and Catherine Howard Countess Salisbury. He the son of William Cavendish 2nd Earl Devonshire and Christian Bruce Countess Devonshire.

On 25 Jan 1640 William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire was born to William Cavendish 3rd Earl Devonshire (age 22) and Elizabeth Cecil Countess Devonshire (age 21).

Around 1655. Unknown Painter. Portrait of William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 14).

Around 1660 John Michael Wright (age 42). Portrait of William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 19).

Pepy's Diary. 11 May 1660. Up very early in the morning, and so about a great deal of business in order to our going hence to-day. Burr going on shore last night made me very angry. So that I sent for Mr. Pitts to come to me from the Vice-Admiral's (age 45), intending not to have employed Burr any more. But Burr by and by coming and desiring humbly that I would forgive him and Pitts not coming I did set him to work. This morning we began to pull down all the State's arms in the fleet, having first sent to Dover for painters and others to come to set up the King's (age 29). The rest of the morning writing of letters to London which I afterwards sent by Dunne. I had this morning my first opportunity of discoursing with Dr. Clarke1, whom I found to be a very pretty man and very knowing. He is now going in this ship to the King. There dined here my Lord Crafford (age 48) and my Lord Cavendish (age 20), and other Scotchmen whom I afterwards ordered to be received on board the Plymouth, and to go along with us. After dinner we set sail from the Downs, I leaving my boy to go to Deal, Kent [Map] for my linen. In the afternoon overtook us three or four gentlemen; two of the Berties, and one Mr. Dormerhoy, a Scotch gentleman, whom I afterwards found to be a very fine man, who, telling my Lord that they heard the Commissioners were come out of London to-day, my Lord dropt anchor over against Dover Castle [Map] (which give us about thirty guns in passing), and upon a high debate with the Vice and Rear Admiral whether it were safe to go and not stay for the Commissioners, he did resolve to send Sir R. Stayner (age 35) to Dover, to enquire of my Lord Winchelsea, whether or no they are come out of London, and then to resolve to-morrow morning of going or not; which was done. It blew very hard all this night that I was afeard of my boy. About 11 at night came the boats from Deal, with great store of provisions, by the same token John Goods told me that above 20 of the fowls are smothered, but my boy was put on board the Northwich. To bed.

Note 1. Timothy Clarke, M. D., one of the original Fellows of the Royal Society. He was appointed one of the physicians in ordinary to Charles II on the death of Dr. Quartermaine in 1667.

On 26 Oct 1662 William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 22) and Mary Butler Duchess Devonshire (age 16) were married. She the daughter of James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde (age 52) and Elizabeth Preston Duchess Ormonde (age 47). He the son of William Cavendish 3rd Earl Devonshire (age 45) and Elizabeth Cecil Countess Devonshire (age 43).

In 1670 [his daughter] Elizabeth Cavendish Lady Wentworth was born to William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 29) and [his wife] Mary Butler Duchess Devonshire (age 24).

Around 1672 [his son] William Cavendish 2nd Duke Devonshire was born to William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 31) and [his wife] Mary Butler Duchess Devonshire (age 26).

In 1673 [his son] Henry Cavendish was born to William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 32) and [his wife] Mary Butler Duchess Devonshire (age 27) at Nice, France.

On 23 Nov 1684 [his father] William Cavendish 3rd Earl Devonshire (age 67) died at his house in Roehampton, Surrey. He was buried in the Henry VII Chapel in Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 44) succeeded 4th Earl Devonshire, 4th Baron Cavendish Hardwick. [his wife] Mary Butler Duchess Devonshire (age 38) by marriage Countess Devonshire.

Evelyn's Diary. 09 Jul 1685. Just as I was coming into the lodgings at Whitehall [Map], a little before dinner, my Lord of Devonshire (age 45) standing very neere his Ma's (age 51) bed-chamber doore in the lobby, came Col. Culpeper (age 50), and in a rude manner looking my Lord in the face, asked whether this was a time and place for excluders to appeare; my Lord at first tooke little notice of what he said, knowing him to be a hot-headed fellow, but he reiterating it, my Lord ask'd Culpeper whether he meant him; he said, yes, he meant his Lordship. My Lord told him he was no excluder (as indeed he was not); the other affirming it againe, my Lord told him he lied, on which Culpeper struck him a box on the eare, which my Lord return'd and fell'd him. They were soone parted, Culpeper was seiz'd, and his Ma*, who was all the while in his bed-chamber, order'd him to be carried to the Green Cloth Officer, who sent him to the Marshalsea [Map] as he deserv'd. My Lord Devon had nothing said to him. I supp'd this night at Lambeth at my old friend's Mr. Elias Ashmole's (age 68), with my Lady Clarendon, ye Bishop of St. Asaph (age 57), and Dr. Tenison (age 48), when we were treated at a greate feast.

In 1687 William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 46) commissioned the re-building of Chatsworth House [Map]. He initially planned to reconstruct only the south wing with the State Apartments, and so he decided to retain the Elizabethan courtyard plan, though this layout was becoming increasingly unfashionable. He enjoyed building and reconstructed the East Front, which included the Painted Hall and Long Gallery, followed by the West Front from 1699 to 1702. The North Front was completed in 1707 just before he died.

On 21 Jun 1688 [his son] William Cavendish 2nd Duke Devonshire (age 16) and [his daughter-in-law] Rachel Russell Duchess Devonshire (age 14) were married. He the son of William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 48) and Mary Butler Duchess Devonshire (age 42). They were half third cousins.

In 1689 [his mother] Elizabeth Cecil Countess Devonshire (age 70) died.

In 1689 William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 48) was appointed 498th Knight of the Garter by King William III of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 38) and Mary Stewart II Queen England Scotland and Ireland (age 26).

Evelyn's Diary. 21 Feb 1689. Innumerable were the crowds, who solicited for, and expected offices; most of the old ones were turned out. Two or three white staves were disposed of some days before, as Lord Steward, to the Earl of Devonshire (age 49); Treasurer of the household, to Lord Newport; Lord Chamberlain to the King, to my Lord of Dorset (age 46); but there were as yet none in offices of the civil government save the Marquis of Halifax (age 55) as Privy Seal. A council of thirty was chosen, Lord Derby (age 34) president, but neither Chancellor nor Judges were yet declared, the new Great Seal not yet finished.

Evelyn's Diary. 18 Jul 1693. I dined with Lord Mulgrave (age 45), with the Earl of Devonshire (age 53), Mr. Hampden (age 40) (a scholar and fine gentleman), Dr. Davenant, Sir Henry Vane, and others, and saw and admired the Venus of Correggio, which Lord Mulgrave (age 45) had newly bought of Mr. Daun for £250; one of the best paintings I ever saw.

Invitation to William of Orange from the Immortal Seven

In 1694 William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 53) was created 1st Duke Devonshire by King William III of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 43) in recognition of William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire 1640-1707's support of the Glorious Revolution he having been one of the signatories of the Invitation to William of Orange from the Immortal Seven. [his wife] Mary Butler Duchess Devonshire (age 48) by marriage Duchess Devonshire.

On 03 Aug 1696 [his son] Henry Cavendish (age 23) and [his daughter-in-law] Rhoda Cartright were married. He the son of William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 56) and Mary Butler Duchess Devonshire (age 50). They were third cousin once removed.

In 1697 John Closterman (age 37). Portrait of William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 56).

Evelyn's Diary. 30 Mar 1699. The Duke of Devon (age 59) lost £1,900 at a horse race at Newmarket, Suffolk.

On 10 May 1700 [his son] Henry Cavendish (age 27) died.

In or before 1706 [his son] James Cavendish was born to William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 65) and [his wife] Mary Butler Duchess Devonshire (age 59).

On 18 Aug 1707 William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 67) died. His son [his son] William Cavendish 2nd Duke Devonshire (age 35) succeeded 2nd Duke Devonshire, 5th Earl Devonshire, 5th Baron Cavendish Hardwick. [his daughter-in-law] Rachel Russell Duchess Devonshire (age 33) by marriage Duchess Devonshire.

Before 1708 Godfrey Kneller (age 61). Portrait of William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire.

In 1710 [his former wife] Mary Butler Duchess Devonshire (age 64) died. She was buried in the Duke of Ormonde Vault, King Henry VII Chapel, Westminster Abbey with her parents.

Royal Ancestors of William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire 1640-1707

Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

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

Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 9 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 15 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 11 Grand Son of Philip "The Fair" IV King France

Royal Descendants of William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire 1640-1707

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom x 1

Diana Spencer Princess Wales x 1

Ancestors of William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire 1640-1707

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Cavendish

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

Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Scudamore 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Cavendish 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Carrington Smith

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Smith

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Cavendish 1st Earl Devonshire 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Harwick

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Hardwick 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Pinchbeck 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Bess of Hardwick Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Leeke of Hasland

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Leeke

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Vaux

GrandFather: William Cavendish 2nd Earl Devonshire 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Keighley

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Keighley

Father: William Cavendish 3rd Earl Devonshire 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Bruce

Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Bruce 1st Lord Kinloss

GrandMother: Christian Bruce Countess Devonshire

William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: David Cecil

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Cecil

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Dicons

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Heckington

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Heckington

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury 12 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Cooke of Gidea Hall

Great x 3 Grandfather: Anthony Cooke

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Saunders

Great x 2 Grandmother: Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Fitzwilliam 9 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Fitzwilliam 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

GrandFather: William Cecil 2nd Earl Salisbury 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Brooke 8th Baron Cobham 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: George Brooke 9th Baron Cobham 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy Heydon Baroness Cobham

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Brooke 10th Baron Cobham 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Braye 1st Baron Braye

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Braye Baroness Cobham 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Halwell Baroness Bray 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Brooke 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Newton Baroness Cobham

Mother: Elizabeth Cecil Countess Devonshire 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Howard 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Vere Countess of Surrey 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Trussell Countess of Oxford 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Geoffrey Audley

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Audley 1st Baron Audley Walden

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Audley Duchess Norfolk 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Grey Baroness Audley 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset

GrandMother: Catherine Howard Countess Salisbury 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland 7th Baron Greystoke 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Greystoke 6th Baroness Greystoke Baroness Dacre Gilsland 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Dacre 4th Baron Dacre Gilsland 8th Baron Greystoke 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Talbot Baroness Dacre Gilsland 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Hastings Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Dacre 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Leybourne

Great x 3 Grandfather: James Leybourne

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Pennington

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Leybourne Duchess Norfolk