Belvoir Castle

Belvoir Castle is in Belvoir, Leicestershire.

Around 1085 Maud Bigod was born to Roger Bigod and Adelisa Todeni at Belvoir Castle [Map].

In 1086 Robert de Todeni is listed in the Doomsday Book as the Lord of Belvoir Castle [Map]. Besides the lands around Belvoir, Robert also received lands in Yorkshire and Leicestershire.

Around 1088 Adeliza Plessis (age 61) died at Belvoir Castle [Map].

Before 1090 Roger Bigod and Adelisa Todeni were married by which Belvoir Castle [Map] came into the possession of the Bigod family albeit for only one generation.

In 1090 Cecily Bigod was born to Roger Bigod and Adelisa Todeni at Belvoir Castle [Map].

In 1095 Hugh Bigod 1st Earl Norfolk was born to Roger Bigod and Adelisa Todeni at Belvoir Castle [Map].

On 09 Sep 1107 Roger Bigod died. Cecily Bigod (age 17) and her husband William "Brito aka Breton" D'Aubigny (age 21) inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].

Around 1130 William "Le Breton" D'Aubigny of Belvoir was born to William "Brito aka Breton" D'Aubigny (age 44) and Cecily Bigod (age 40) at Belvoir Castle [Map].

After 1148 William "Brito aka Breton" D'Aubigny (age 62) died at Belvoir Castle [Map]. He was buried at Belvoir Priory [Map]. His son William "Le Breton" D'Aubigny of Belvoir (age 18) inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].

In 1186 William "Le Breton" D'Aubigny of Belvoir (age 56) died. His son William D'Aubigny (age 35) inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].

Around 04 Sep 1242 William D'Aubigny (age 54) died. His daughter Isabel D'Aubigny (age 9) and her husband Robert Ros (age 6) inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].

On 13 May 1285 Robert Ros (age 49) died. His son William Ros 1st Baron Ros Helmsley (age 30) inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].

On 06 Aug 1316 William Ros 1st Baron Ros Helmsley (age 61) died. He was buried at Kirkham Priory North Yorkshire [Map]. His son William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley (age 31) succeeded 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley and inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].

On 03 Feb 1343 William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley (age 58) died. He was buried at Kirkham Priory North Yorkshire [Map]. His son William Ros 3rd Baron Ros Helmsley (age 13) succeeded 3rd Baron Ros Helmsley and inherited Belvoir Castle [Map]. Margaret Neville (age 13) by marriage Baroness Ros Helmsley.

On 03 Dec 1352 William Ros 3rd Baron Ros Helmsley (age 23) died. His brother Thomas Ros 4th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 17) succeeded 4th Baron Ros Helmsley and inherited Belvoir Castle [Map]. Beatrice Stafford Countess Desmond (age 11) by marriage Baroness Ros Helmsley.

On 08 Jun 1384 Thomas Ros 4th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 49) died at Uffington. He was buried at Rievaulx Abbey [Map]. His son John Ros 5th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 15) succeeded 5th Baron Ros Helmsley and inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].

On 06 Aug 1393 John Ros 5th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 24) died at Paphos returning from Pilgrimage. He was buried at Rievaulx Abbey [Map]. His brother William Ros 6th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 23) succeeded 6th Baron Ros Helmsley and inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].

Battle of Hedgeley Moor

On 25 Apr 1464 a Yorkist army commanded by John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu (age 33) defeated a Lancastrian army commanded by Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke Somerset (age 28) at Hedgeley Moor [Map] during the Battle of Hedgeley Moor.

Of the Lancastrians ...

Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 36) was killed. His son Edmund Ros 10th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 9) succeeded 10th Baron Ros Helmsley. Thomas' lands however, including Belvoir Castle [Map] was given by King Edward IV of England (age 21) to William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 33).

Ralph Percy (age 39) was killed.

Edmund Ros 10th Baron Ros Helmsley: Around 1455 he was born to Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley and Philippa Tiptoft Baroness Ros Helmsley. On 23 Oct 1508 Edmund Ros 10th Baron Ros Helmsley died. Baron Ros Helmsley abeyant between his daughters.

Around 1530 Frances Manners Baroness Bergavenny was born to Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland (age 38) and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 35) at Belvoir Castle [Map].

Around 1535 Roger Manners was born to Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland (age 43) and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 40) at Belvoir Castle [Map].

In 1537 Thomas Manners was born to Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland (age 45) and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 42) at Belvoir Castle [Map].

In Jul 1539 Catherine Manners was born to Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland (age 47) and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 44) at Belvoir Castle [Map].

On 23 Apr 1603 Thomas Beaumont 1st Viscount of Swords (age 21) was knighted at Belvoir Castle [Map].

On 23 Apr 1603 Anthony Markham of Sedgebrook (age 26) was knighted by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 36) at Belvoir Castle [Map].

On 23 Apr 1603 Edward Carr 1st Baronet (age 60) was knighted at Belvoir Castle [Map].

On 23 Apr 1603 Gregory Cromwell was knighted by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 36) at Belvoir Castle [Map].

The Manuscripts of His Grace the Duke of Rutland 1640. 04 Jan 1640. Savoy.

F. Lord Willoughby to his uncle, the Earl of Rutland (age 60), at Belvoir Castle [Map].

When we ate your venison my wife and I drank your health and my Lady's and did not forget little Mr. George, whom, I am glad to hear, grows towards a man. "There hath beene a marriage at the court betweene one of my Lord of Corcke (age 73) sonnse (age 21) and my Lady Elizabeth Feelding, about which there is a greate stur, for it seemes he did not prove eoe rite as a man should be to goo about such a business. For the report goese that his manly part had lost something in his former serviocesse, and beside that he was soe full of severall disceases ... as that it was tould the Queene (age 30), whoe sent for my Lady Elizabeth, and tould her that she must desier her not to lett her husband lye with her that night, whoe put of, modilestly making little answere, but she seemed so lothe to understand the Queene (age 30), as that she tould her she must command her not to come in a pair of sheets with him, and tould her the reasons; soe as that he is gone out of the way some say into France, others thinks he is in London under cower. It was discovered by his sister (age 30) Mr. Goring's (age 31) wife, to whom he had imparted his grevancess, and she had plotted it soe, to make an excuse for him, that he should falie downe stares that day, and she would come and take him up, and soe he should complane how he had breused himselfe and strained his back with the fale, that he should be soe ill he was not fitt to goe to bed to his wife that night. But could not keepe her counsel but must tell her husband Jorge Goring (age 31), and he presently ran and tould the Queene (age 30), and soe it was discovered and then it was presently in every buddy's mouth.".

My Lord Keeper is so ill that the physicians think he cannot recover. My Lord Chief Justice Bramstone is talked of to be Lord Keeper, and Bishop Wren (age 54). It is known to be between those two. My Lord Finch (age 12) will be Chief Justice of the King's Bench and the Attorney General to be Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. Signet.

Evelyn's Diary. 14 Aug 1654. Now we were come to Cottsmore, a pretty seat belonging to Mr. Heath, son of the late Lord Chief Justice of that name. Here, after dinner, parting with the company that conducted us thus far, I passed that evening by Belvoir Castle [Map], built on a round mount at the point of a long ridge of hills, which affords a stately prospect, and is famous for its strenuous resistance in the late civil war.

In 1669 John Willoughby 8th Baron Willoughby of Parham was born to George Willoughby 7th Baron Willoughby of Parham (age 29) and Elizabeth Clinton Baroness De La Warr at Belvoir Castle [Map].

On 10 Jan 1711 John Manners 1st Duke Rutland (age 72) died at Belvoir Castle [Map]. His son John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland (age 34) succeeded 2nd Duke Rutland, 2nd Marquess Grandby, 10th Earl of Rutland. Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland (age 34) by marriage Duchess Rutland.

Adeline Horsey Recollections. Before going back to town from Belvoir Castle [Map], my mother and I stayed one day at the Old Club on the invitation of Sir James Musgrave and John Moore. It was New Year's Eve, and the bells which rang in the New Year must have continued all night, for I never got any sleep, and so the morning of January 1, 1843, found me very tired, and not in the best of tempers !

Adeline Horsey Recollections. Belvoir Castle [Map] was another delightful place I stayed at, and I remember the fifth Duke of Rutland (age 64) drinking my health on my eighteenth birthday. His son, the Marquis of Granby (age 28), was a man of consummate tact and presence of mind. At one of the house-parties there was a pretty young married lady with whom he was greatly smitten, and having received every encouragement, he paid a visit to her room after she had retired. The lady was asleep, and just as the Marquis (age 28) was about to rouse her, the door opened, and the husband, whom he supposed to be otherwise engaged, appeared unexpectedly on the scene. It was an embarrassing moment, but the Marquis (age 28), who was equal to the occasion, held up a warning finger and exclaimed in an anxious whisper, "Hush ! don't disturb her, she is fast asleep; I was passing, and I thought I smelt fire - but all's well". The husband thanked him with honest gratitude, and doubtless felt all the happier for being under the roof of such a solicitous host.

Adeline Horsey Recollections. My hunting recollections would not be complete without including among them the occasion in '73 when I went to a meet at Belvoir [Map], and met his Majesty King Edward VII (age 31), then Prince of Wales, who was staying at the Castle. I was riding my famous horse "Dandy", who won the Billesdon Coplow Stakes at Croxton Park, and that morning I was much exercised in my mind about a proposal of marriage I had just received from Disraeli (age 68). My uncle Admiral Rous (age 77), had said to me, "My dear, you can't marry that d---d old Jew", but I had known Disraeli (age 68) all my life, and I liked him very well. He had, however, one drawback so far as I was concerned, and that was his breath - the ill odour of politics perhaps ! In ancient Rome a wife could divorce her husband if his breath were unpleasant, and had Dizzy (age 68) lived in those days his wife would have been able to divorce him without any difficulty. I was wondering whether I could possibly put up with this unfortunate attribute in a great man, when I met the King, who was graciously pleased to ride with me. In the course of our conversation I told him about Disraeli's (age 68) proposal and asked him whether he would advise me to accept it, but the King (age 31) said he did not think the marriage would be a very happy one.

I lunched with the Royal party at Belvoir Castle [Map], and as I rode home afterwards I felt well pleased that I had decided not to become the wife of a politician !

On 03 Mar 1888 Charles Manners 6th Duke Rutland (age 72) died unmarried at Belvoir Castle [Map]. His brother John James Robert Manners 7th Duke Rutland (age 69) succeeded 7th Duke Rutland, 7th Marquess Grandby, 15th Earl of Rutland. Janetta Hughan Duchess Rutland (age 51) by marriage Duchess Rutland.

On 05 Aug 1906 John James Robert Manners 7th Duke Rutland (age 87) died at Belvoir Castle [Map]. His son Henry John Brinsley Manners 8th Duke Rutland (age 54) succeeded 8th Duke Rutland, 8th Marquess Grandby, 16th Earl of Rutland. Violet Lindsay Duchess Rutland (age 50) by marriage Duchess Rutland.

The Times. 27 Jan 1916. MARRIAGE OF LORD GRANBY.

The marriage of the Marquess of Granby (age 29), only son of the Duke (age 63) and Duchess of Rutland (age 59), to Miss Kathleen Tennant (age 21), youngest daughter of Mr. (age 54) and Mrs. Frank Tennant (age 52), of Innes House, took place yesterday at St. Margaret's [Map]. There was a very large attendance, and a number of those present brought young children with them.

The bride (age 21), who was given away by her father (age 54), wore a Venetian gown of white satin with a gold, brocade train four yards long and a short mantlet of old Venetian family lace; the sleeves were long and close-fitting, and she had a long white net veil with a wreath of orange blossoms. She carried a copy of the marriage service embroidered in seed pearl and coloured silks, worked by her mother (age 52) after an old design in the British Museum.

Lady Diane Manners (age 24), who was one of the bridesmaids, designed the bridesmaids' gowns in the medieval manner; they were of white chiffon belted in silver worn with flowing veils of blue tulle held by silver bands. Each of the bridesmaids carried a tail branch of almond blossom; the others were Miss Elizabeth Asquith (age 18), Miss Mary Lyttelton, and Miss Violet Warrender. The Hon. Stephen Tennant (age 9), who wore a Romeo suit with a jewelleed belt, was the page. Captain Charles Lindsay, Grenadier Guards, was best man. Canon Sheppard (age 35), Sub-Dean of the Chapels Royal, and the Rev. F. W. Knox, the Duke of Rutland's (age 63) chaplain, performed the ceremony.

SOME OF THE GOWNS. The Duke of Rutland (age 63) was among the first to come to the church, and most of the guests were there early. The Prime Minister (age 63) arrived with Mr. (age 35) and Mrs. Bonham-Carter (age 28), and Mr. Balfour with a party which included Mr. and Mrs. William Balfour. The Duchess on Rutland (age 59) wore gold charmeuse with gold tissue in her hat and a rose pink velvet cloak bordered with fur. The Marchioness of Anglesey (age 32), in white box-cloth, brought her little daughter, Lady Carolinie Paget (age 2), in a little Ermine coat and hat. Mrs. Asquith (age 51), who was with Mrs. Graham Smith (age 56), wore a black charmeuse gown made with a ruched cape and trimmed with chinchilla; her hat was black with emerald feathers.

Mrs. Tennant (age 52) wore black and white embroidered taffetas; Lady Robert Manners had a long muauve coat trimmed with skunk; and the Countess of Wemyss (age 53) was in black and white. Lady Tree had a pervenche panne long coat made tight-fitting and a plain black sailor hat. The Countess of Drogheda (age 29) wore black and gold, Lady D'Abernon (age 50) grey chinchilla furs with a black coat and skirt, and Lady Arthur Paget a musquash coat bordered with skunk. Mrs. Guy Charteris (age 28) brought her baby, and the Hon. Mrs. George Keppel (age 45), in black and white, was accomapanied by her two daughters, and Mrs. McKenna by her two sons. Mrs. Hwfa Williams and Lady Randolph Churchill (age 62) (who was with Mrs. Churchill (age 30)) both were black velvet.

The Guests. Among those present were:

The Italian Ambassador, the Spanish Ambassador, the Duchess of Buccleuch (age 44), and Lady Margaret Scott, etc.

A small reception was held after the ceremony at Lord (age 56) and Lady Glenconner's (age 45) house in Queen Anne's gate, and the bride (age 59) and bridegroom (age 29) subsequently left for Belvoir Castle [Map], where the honeymoon will be spent.

Lord Ross Divorce

The Lord Ross Divorce attracted considerable public attention since it highlighted the shortcomings of the divorce laws. Anne Pierrepont had clearly committed adultery since she was in London at the time of the conception whilst her husband, known by the courtesy title Lord Ross was at Belvoir Castle [Map]. The child would be considered legitimate since the parents were married; the law made no provision for adultery or divorce. He was forced to seek legislation in Parliament that made the child illegitimate and, therefore, unable to inherit his title. He was further compelled to seek legislation so that he could marry again so that he could produce an heir.

King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland took a more than passing interest, it is believed, since divorce may have been an option since he and his wife Catherine of Braganza Queen Consort England had not had any children in their eight years of marriage despite he having had eight illegitimate children.