Biography of Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath -1605

Paternal Family Tree: Russell

Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Hussey 1389-1418

Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath was born to Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford and Margaret St John Countess Bedford.

Before 1548 [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 21) and [her mother] Margaret St John Countess Bedford (age 14) were married. He the son of John Russell 1st Earl Bedford (age 62) and Anne Sapcote Countess Bedford (age 68).

On 14 Mar 1555 [her grandfather] John Russell 1st Earl Bedford (age 70) died. His son [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 28) succeeded 2nd Earl Bedford, 2nd Baron Russell of Cheneys. [her mother] Margaret St John Countess Bedford (age 22) by marriage Countess Bedford.

On 10 Feb 1561 John Bourchier 2nd Earl Bath (age 62) died. He was buried on 10 Mar 1561 at the Church of St John Lateran, Hengrave. His grandson [her future husband] William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath (age 3) succeeded 3rd Earl Bath, 13th Baron Fitzwarin.

On 27 Aug 1562 [her mother] Margaret St John Countess Bedford (age 29) died at Woburn. She was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies.

On 25 Jun 1566 [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 39) and Bridget Hussey Countess Bedford (age 40) were married. She by marriage Countess Bedford. He the son of John Russell 1st Earl Bedford and Anne Sapcote Countess Bedford. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 15 Dec 1578 [her future husband] William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath (age 21) and Mary Cornwallis Countess Bath were married. The marriage, apparently, taking place secretly at night. She by marriage Countess Bath.

On 28 Apr 1581 the marriage of [her future husband] William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath (age 23) and Mary Cornwallis Countess Bath was annulled. A letter of Sir Thomas Cornwallis, dat. Brome, 10 June 1601, states "By deposition of 10 witnesses, it was most manifestly proved in the Arches, that the marriage was lawfully, clearly, and honestly compassed," that the Earl's [her future mother-in-law] mother "did by great means attempt to corrupt the then Judge of that Court ... but not prevailing that way, all course of law was then broken, for they appealed to the Delegates, slne gravamlne ... who thereupon proceeded in so violent a course as the like hath not been heard of .... Her adversaries effected the end of their desire ; and yet the Commissioners' Sentence was with this corrective, viz. leaving the Earl to his own conscience." (Hist. MSS. Com., Hatfield MSS., Part xi, p. 223). This Mary was a legatee, 25 June 1601, in the will of Sir Thomas Kitson (age 40), her sister's (age 40) husband, who mentions her said marriage, and that it afterwards proved most unfortunate and to her great hindrance. W. Lewyn, also, speaks of this Earl as having "made an untimely marriage by night with the da. of Sir Thomas Cornwallys, which was undone and the Earl since married to another, the da. (as I think) of the late Earl of Bedford (age 54)." (Letter to Lord Cobham, 29 May 1596). V.G.

On 07 Aug 1583 William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath (age 25) and Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath were married at St Mary Major Church, Exeter. She by marriage Countess Bath, Countess Eu. She the daughter of Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 56) and Margaret St John Countess Bedford.

On 28 Jul 1585 [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 58) died. His grandson Edward Russell 3rd Earl Bedford (age 12) succeeded 3rd Earl Bedford, 3rd Baron Russell of Cheneys.

In 1587 [her daughter] Frances Bourchier was born to [her husband] William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath (age 29) and Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath.

Before 01 Mar 1590, the date of his baptism at St Peter's Church, Tawstock [Map], [her son] Edward Bourchier 4th Earl Bath was born to [her husband] William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath (age 32) and Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath at Somerset.

In Aug 1603 during a plague in London the royal court moved to Basing House, Old Basing. Francis Palmes of Lindley (age 49) entertained courtiers at his house nearby at Lancelevy, Sherfield on Loddon. The party included Lady Anne Clifford (age 13), her mother [her sister] Margaret Clifford (age 43), Countess of Cumberland and Elizabeth Bourchier, Countess of Bath, who used Lancelevy as a base to visit Anne of Denmark (age 28) and Arbella Stuart (age 28).

On 24 Mar 1605 Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath died.

On 25 Mar 1605 Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath was buried at St Peter's Church, Tawstock [Map]. After 12 Jul 1623 [her former husband] William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath (age 65) was buried with his wife.

The monument subject to restoration and repainting around 1980.

Monument, possibly by Nicholas Johnson, with Latin inscriptions: Æ.S. Lege viator quæ Magnatum saxa rarissime, loquuntur vir probus et mobilis utero hic situs est Guiliemus Bourgchier Comes Bathone nsis æternitatem apud motales meritus Suauissimo connubio connnxit nobii tatem et virtutem utranq dignitatum in omnibus constanter retinvit et ornavit vixit in hac ipsa Devonia cvi datus est praefectus et puincian triginta pius minus annis integerppime administravit Deum tam privatis quam publicis officus religiosissime colvit magnificum exemplum beneficentiæ, et hosptalitatis pavprervmq et oppressorum acerrimus patronus diniq cum inoffensae foelicitatis cursum ad sinium vsq propuxisset decessit e vivis incens et aeternum Devoniae suæ desiderium 12 July anno salvitus 1623 ætatis vero suæ 65. Uxorem duxit lectissimam toeminan sociam ... sepulchri dnam Elizabetham Francisci Comitis Bedfordensis Filiam ex qua genuit Johem Robertum et Edwardum Filios et Franciscam Filiam E quibus Edwardum modo Comitem Bathoniensem solum reliquit supersitem ipsoum clarissimæ familiæ suis quoq virtutibus et foelicissimo conivgio futurum ornamentum. Hoc fac et vives.

"Reader, read what the rare stones of the great ones seldom speak, here lies buried William Bourchier, Earl of Bath, deserving of eternity among mortals. He united nobility and virtue by a most delightful marriage, consistently maintaining and adorning both dignities in all things. He lived in this very Devonshire, over which he presided as prefect and justice of the peace for thirty years with the utmost integrity. He devoutly worshipped God in both private and public duties, magnificently exemplifying benevolence, hospitality, and being the most ardent protector of the oppressed. When he had set forth the course of his harmless happiness to the bosom of eternity, he departed from the living, leaving behind an incense and eternal longing for his Devonshire. On July 12th, in the year of salvation 1623, at the age of 65. He married the most distinguished lady, Elizabeth, daughter of Francis, Earl of Bedford, by whom he begot John, Robert, and Edward, sons, and Frances, a daughter. Of these, he left surviving only Edward, now Earl of Bath, a future ornament to his most illustrious family by his own virtues and most happy marriage. Do this, and you will live."

BATHONÆ COMTIÆ DEVON PRAEFECTO MEMORIÆ ERGO Ana: Crono: Epi: Mors mihi Ivcrvm ... In grama tum ... Bon Temps viendra Morior ... Orior ... Ad sepul crum ... Finis ... Coronat Ana: Gulielmus Bourchier Luge (si ob Iucrum Heri) Quid sibi vult Tumulus. Quaeve hoec Insignia Iuctus Eft COMES in Svperos ecce LOCUMQ TENES Quare fles, Devonia vel, Bathonia, qvare eXIIt: en bon teMps nVnCo VIenDra patet (Crono) IVLIVS, hoc, mensis fuit AUGUSTISSIMUS, anno Atq SECUNDA (decem junge) SECUNDA dies Non amor, invidia est, DOLOR, euge, lege, (ALME VIATOR) Et difce exemplo VIVERE, disce mori. Sic cecinit, non elevit.

To the memory of William Bourchier, Earl of Bath, Prefect of Devon: Ana: Chrono: Epitaph: Death is my Law ... Then in the grave ... Good Times will come. I die ... I rise ... To the tomb ... The End ... Ana crowns: William Bourchier Mourn (if for the joy of yesterday) What does the Tumulus mean? What does this Emblem of Grief signify? BEHOLD, the Earl holds a place among the heavens. Why do you weep, Devon or Bath, why do you mourn: behold, good times are coming, soon they will come (Chronos) JULY, this, was the most AUGUST month, in the year and the second day (join ten) The second day. Not love, but envy is SORROW, hail, read (kind traveler) And learn to live by example, learn to die. Thus he sang, not did he elevate.

The Plantagenet Arms indicate his being a 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England through his paternal grandfather John Bourchier 2nd Earl Bath and his paternal grandmother Eleanor Manners Countess Bath.

On 12 Jul 1623 [her former husband] William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath (age 65) died. His son [her son] Edward Bourchier 4th Earl Bath (age 33) succeeded 4th Earl Bath, 14th Baron Fitzwarin.

Royal Ancestors of Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath -1605

Kings Wessex: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of William "Lion" I King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King Franks

Kings France: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of Louis "Fat" VI King France

Ancestors of Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath -1605

Great x 4 Grandfather: Stephen Russell

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Russell

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Russell

Great x 1 Grandfather: James Russell

GrandFather: John Russell 1st Earl Bedford

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Wise

Great x 1 Grandmother: Alice Wise

Father: Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Sapcote

Great x 1 Grandfather: Guy Sapcote of Thornhaugh, Bedfordshire

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas de Semarc

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne de Semarc

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Lexham

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Laxham

GrandMother: Anne Sapcote Countess Bedford

Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John St John

Great x 3 Grandfather: Oliver St John

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Paulet

Great x 2 Grandfather: John St John 7 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Beauchamp 3rd Baron Beauchamp Bletsoe 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Edith Stourton Baroness Beauchamp Bletsoe 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: John St John 8 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Bradshaigh

Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Bradshaigh

GrandFather: John St John 9 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip ap Morgan

Great x 3 Grandfather: Jenkyn ap Philip

Great x 2 Grandfather: Morgan ap Jenkin Lord of Langstone

Great x 1 Grandmother: Sybil of Lansgtone Manor

Mother: Margaret St John Countess Bedford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Waldegrave

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Waldegrave

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Waldegrave

GrandMother: Margaret Waldegrave 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Wentworth

Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Wentworth

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Dronsfield

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Wentworth 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Despencer 2nd Baron Despencer 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Despencer 3rd Baroness Despencer, Baroness Ros 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Tiptoft Baroness Despencer 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margery Wentworth 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Howard 3 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Howard 4 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Tendring

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Howard 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Hussey 5 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Hussey 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England