Biography of Anna Maria Brudenell Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 1642-1702
Paternal Family Tree: Brudenell
Maternal Family Tree: Katherine de la Pole 1416-1488
After 05 Mar 1607 [her father] Robert Brudenell 2nd Earl Cardigan and Mary Constable Countess Cardigan were married. He the son of [her grandfather] Thomas Brudenell 1st Earl Cardigan (age 24) and [her grandmother] Mary Tresham Countess Cardigan. They were half third cousins.
Before 1642 [her father] Robert Brudenell 2nd Earl Cardigan (age 34) and [her mother] Anna Savage Countess Cardigan were married. She by marriage Countess Cardigan. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Thomas Savage 1st Viscount Savage and [her grandmother] Elizabeth Darcy 1st Countess Rivers (age 60). He the son of [her grandfather] Thomas Brudenell 1st Earl Cardigan (age 58) and [her grandmother] Mary Tresham Countess Cardigan.
On 25 Mar 1642 Anna Maria Brudenell Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford was born to Robert Brudenell 2nd Earl Cardigan (age 35) and Anna Savage Countess Cardigan.
On 08 Feb 1654 John Talbot 10th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 53) died. His son [her future husband] Francis Talbot 11th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 31) succeeded 11th Earl of Shrewsbury, 11th Earl Waterford.
In 1659 [her daughter] Mary Talbot was born to [her future husband] Francis Talbot 11th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 36) and Anna Maria Brudenell Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 16).
In 1659 Mary Beale aka Cradock (age 25) (attributed). Portrait of Anna Maria Brudenell Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 16).
Before 24 Jul 1660 Francis Talbot 11th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 37) and Anna Maria Brudenell Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 18) were married. She by marriage Countess of Shrewsbury Countess Waterford. She the daughter of Robert Brudenell 2nd Earl Cardigan (age 53) and Anna Savage Countess Cardigan. He the son of John Talbot 10th Earl of Shrewsbury and Mary Fortescue Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford. They were third cousin once removed.
On 24 Jul 1660 [her son] Charles Talbot 1st Duke Shrewsbury was born to [her husband] Francis Talbot 11th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 37) and Anna Maria Brudenell Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 18).
On 16 Sep 1663 [her grandfather] Thomas Brudenell 1st Earl Cardigan (age 80) died. His son [her father] Robert Brudenell 2nd Earl Cardigan (age 56) succeeded 2nd Earl Cardigan, 2nd Baron Brudenell of Stonton in Leicestershire. Mary Constable Countess Cardigan by marriage Countess Cardigan.
In 1665 [her son] John Talbot was born to [her husband] Francis Talbot 11th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 42) and Anna Maria Brudenell Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 22).
Around 1668 Peter Lely (age 49). Portrait of Anna Maria Brudenell Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 25).
On 16 Jan 1668 George Villiers 2nd Duke of Buckingham (age 39) fought a duel at Barn Elms with [her husband] Francis Talbot 11th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 45) with whose wife Anna Maria Brudenell Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 25) he was conducting a relationship. Francis Talbot 11th Earl of Shrewsbury was fatally wounded dying two months later. Following the duel George Villiers 2nd Duke of Buckingham commenced living with Shrewsbury's wife Anne Maria. His wife Mary Fairfax Duchess Buckingham (age 29) returned to live with her parents.
Admiral Robert Holmes (age 46) and Jenkins acted as seconds to George Villiers 2nd Duke of Buckingham. Jenkins was killed.
John Talbot of Lacock (age 37) and Bernard Howard (age 27) acted as seconds to Francis Talbot 11th Earl of Shrewsbury. Note. Bernard Howard a guess based on name and age.
On 16 Mar 1668 Francis Talbot 11th Earl of Shrewsbury died from wounds received duelling. He was buried at Albrighton, Shropshire. His son [her son] Charles Talbot 1st Duke Shrewsbury (age 7) succeeded 12th Earl of Shrewsbury, 12th Earl Waterford.
Pepy's Diary. 17 Jan 1668. Up, and by coach to White Hall to attend the Council there, and here I met first by Mr. Castle (age 39) the shipwright, whom I met there, and then from the whole house the discourse of the duell yesterday between the Duke of Buckingham (age 39), Holmes, and one Jenkins, on one side, and my [her husband] Lord of Shrewsbury (age 45), Sir John Talbot (age 37), and one Bernard Howard (age 27), on the other side: and all about my Lady Shrewsbury (age 25)1, who is a whore, and is at this time, and hath for a great while been, a whore to the Duke of Buckingham. And so her husband challenged him, and they met yesterday in a close near Barne-Elmes, and there fought: and my Lord Shrewsbury is run through the body, from the right breast through the shoulder: and Sir John Talbot all along up one of his armes; and Jenkins killed upon the place, and the rest all, in a little measure, wounded. This will make the world think that the King (age 37) hath good councillors about him, when the Duke of Buckingham, the greatest man about him, is a fellow of no more sobriety than to fight about a whore. And this may prove a very bad accident to the Duke of Buckingham, but that my Baroness Castlemayne (age 27) do rule all at this time as much as ever she did, and she will, it is believed, keep all matters well with the Duke of Buckingham: though this is a time that the King will be very backward, I suppose, to appear in such a business. And it is pretty to hear how the King had some notice of this challenge a week or two ago, and did give it to my Lord Generall (age 59) to confine the Duke, or take security that he should not do any such thing as fight: and the Generall trusted to the King that he, sending for him, would do it, and the King trusted to the Generall; and so, between both, as everything else of the greatest moment do, do fall between two stools. The whole House full of nothing but the talk of this business; and it is said that my Lord Shrewsbury's case is to be feared, that he may die too; and that may make it much the worse for the Duke of Buckingham: and I shall not be much sorry for it, that we may have some sober man come in his room to assist in the Government. Here I waited till the Council rose, and talked the while, with Creed, who tells me of Mr. Harry Howard's' (age 39) giving the Royal Society a piece of ground next to his house, to build a College on, which is a most generous act. And he tells me he is a very fine person, and understands and speaks well; and no rigid Papist neither, but one that would not have a Protestant servant leave his religion, which he was going to do, thinking to recommend himself to his master by it; saying that he had rather have an honest Protestant than a knavish Catholique. I was not called into the Council; and, therefore, home, first informing myself that my Lord Hinchingbrooke (age 20) hath been married this week to my Lord Burlington's (age 55) daughter (age 23); so that that great business is over; and I mighty glad of it, though I am not satisfied that I have not a Favour sent me, as I see Attorney Montagu (age 50) and the Vice-Chamberlain have (age 58). But I am mighty glad that the thing is done.
Note 1. Anna Maria, daughter of [her father] Robert Brudenel, second Earl of Cardigan (age 60). Walpole says she held the Duke of Buckingham's horse, in the habit of a page, while he was fighting the duel with her husband. She married, secondly, [her future husband] George Rodney Bridges, son of [her future father-in-law] Sir Thomas Bridges of Keynsham, Somerset (age 51), Groom of the Bedchamber to Charles IL, and died April 20th, 1702. A portrait of the Countess of Shrewsbury, as Minerva, by Lely.
Adeline Horsey Recollections. The [her father] second Earl became a Roman Catholic, and spent most of his long life of 102 years at Deene [Map]. His daughter, Lady Anne Brudenell, was one of the most lovely of the beauties associated with the Court of Charles II She married the [her former husband] Earl of Shrewsbury, and the story is well known of how she, dressed as a page, held the Duke of Buckingham's horse whilst he fought with and slew her husband.
Pepy's Diary. 19 May 1669. With my coach to St. James's; and there finding the Duke of York (age 35) gone to muster his men, in Hyde Park, I alone with my boy thither, and there saw more, walking out of my coach as other gentlemen did, of a soldier's trade, than ever I did in my life: the men being mighty fine, and their Commanders, particularly the Duke of Monmouth (age 20); but me-thought their trade but very easy as to the mustering of their men, and the men but indifferently ready to perform what was commanded, in the handling of their arms. Here the news was first talked of Harry Killigrew's (age 32) being wounded in nine places last night, by footmen, in the highway, going from the Park in a Hackney-coach towards Hammersmith, to his house at Turnham Greene: they being supposed to be my Lady Shrewsbury's (age 27) men, she being by, in her coach with six horses; upon an old grudge of his saying openly that he had lain with her.
Pepy's Diary. 19 May 1669. By and by the Duke of York (age 35) comes, and readily took me to his closet, and received my petition, and discoursed about my eyes, and pitied me, and with much kindness did give me his consent to be absent, and approved of my proposition to go into Holland to observe things there, of the Navy; but would first ask the King's leave, which he anon did, and did tell me that the King (age 38) would be a good master to me, these were his words, about my eyes, and do like of my going into Holland, but do advise that nobody should know of my going thither, but pretend that I did go into the country somewhere, which I liked well. Glad of this, I home, and thence took out my wife, and to Mr. Holliard's (age 60) about a swelling in her cheek, but he not at home, and so round by Islington [Map] and eat and drink, and so home, and after supper to bed. In discourse this afternoon, the Duke of York did tell me that he was the most amazed at one thing just now, that ever he was in his life, which was, that the Duke of Buckingham (age 41) did just now come into the Queen's (age 30) bed-chamber, where the King was, and much mixed company, and among others, Tom Killigrew (age 57), the father of Harry (age 32), who was last night wounded so as to be in danger of death, and his man is quite dead; and [Buckingham] there in discourse did say that he had spoke with some one that was by (which all the world must know that it must be his whore, my Lady Shrewsbury (age 27)), who says that they did not mean to hurt, but beat him, and that he did run first at them with his sword; so that he do hereby clearly discover that he knows who did it, and is of conspiracy with them, being of known conspiracy with her, which the Duke of York did seem to be pleased with, and said it might, perhaps, cost him his life in the House of Lords; and I find was mightily pleased with it, saying it was the most impudent thing, as well as the most foolish, that ever he knew man do in all his life.
Around 1670 Peter Lely (age 51). Portrait of Anna Maria Brudenell Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 27).
Evelyn's Diary. 21 Oct 1671. Quitting Euston, I lodged this night at Newmarket, Suffolk, where I found the jolly blades racing, dancing, feasting, and reveling; more resembling a luxurious and abandoned rout, than a Christian Court. The Duke of Buckingham (age 43) was now in mighty favor, and had with him that impudent woman, the Countess of Shrewsbury (age 29), with his band of fiddlers, etc.
Before 20 Jun 1677 [her son-in-law] John Stonor (age 22) and [her daughter] Mary Talbot (age 18) were married. She the daughter of [her former husband] Francis Talbot 11th Earl of Shrewsbury and Anna Maria Brudenell Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 35).
Before 24 Jun 1677 George Rodney Brydges and Anna Maria Brudenell Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 35) were married. She the daughter of Robert Brudenell 2nd Earl Cardigan (age 70) and Anna Savage Countess Cardigan.
On 11 Oct 1686 James Tuchet 3rd Earl Castlehaven (age 69) died at Kilcash Castle, County Tipperary. His brother Mervyn Tuchet 4th Earl Castlehaven succeeded 4th Earl Castlehaven, 14th Baron Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire, 11th Baron Tuchet, 4th Baron Audley of Orier in England, 2nd Baron Audley of Hely in Ireland but only for three weeks. He died on 02 Nov 1686. [her former sister-in-law] Mary Talbot Countess Castlehaven by marriage Countess Castlehaven.
In Jun 1696 [her mother] Anna Savage Countess Cardigan died.
On 16 Jul 1703 [her father] Robert Brudenell 2nd Earl Cardigan (age 96) died. His grandson George Brudenell 3rd Earl Cardigan (age 17) succeeded 3rd Earl Cardigan, 3rd Baron Brudenell of Stonton in Leicestershire.
On 06 Feb 1713 [her former husband] George Rodney Brydges died.
Adeline Horsey Recollections. Allan Fea, in his interesting book, "Nooks and Corners of Old England", describes how, "some time before the poor little plain Duchess (of Buckingham) suspected that she had a formidable rival in the beautiful Countess, she was returning from a visit to Deene [Map] to her house at Stamford, where her reckless husband found it convenient to hide himself, as a warrant for high treason was out against him, when she noticed a suspicious little cavalcade travelling in the same direction. Ordering the horses to be whipped up, she arrived in time to give the alarm. The Duke had just then set out for Burleigh House with some ladies in his company, and the serjeant actually saw the Duke alight and lead a lady into the house, but he and his soldiers were not in time to force an entrance, and so the Duke escaped!".
Adeline Horsey Recollections. The wicked Countess and her lover lived at Clieveden [Map] - "the bower of wanton Shrewsbury and of love" - and her spirit is supposed to haunt the beautiful riverside retreat, but I am thankful to say she has never appeared in the old home of her innocent girlhood. Her portrait by Sir Peter Lely hangs in the White Hall at Deene, and is a fine example of the artist's well-known very décolleté style of "robes loosely flowing, hair as free", with the usual mise en scène of a beauty of Charles II's time. The third Earl of Cardigan was Master of the Buckhounds to Queen Anne; he married a daughter of the Earl of Ailesbury, and their fourth son inherited the Ailesbury title and estates. Lord Cardigan's eldest son married the heiress of the Duke of Montagu in 1766 [Note. Married on 07 Jul 1730. He was created Duke in 1766]. He was a friend of Horace Walpole, the influence of whose pseudo-Gothic tastes may still be seen in the south front of Deene [Map], built at this time, and which now incorporates the great ball-room built for me by my dear husband.
Grammont. Jermyn, without paying the least attention to his ill-humour, pursued his point, continued talking to Lady Shrewsbury, and did not leave her until the repast was ended.
He went to bed, proud of this triumph, and was waked next morning by a challenge: he took, for his second, Giles Rawlings, a man of intrigue, and a deep player. Howard took Dillon, who was dexterous and brave, much of a gentleman, and, unfortunately, an intimate friend to Rawlings.
In this duel fortune did not side with the votaries of love: poor Rawlings was left stone dead; and Jermyn, having received three wounds, was carried to his uncle's, with very little signs of life.
While the report of this event engaged the courtiers according to their several interests, the Chevalier de Grammont was informed by Jones, his friend, his confidant, and his rival, that there was another gentleman very attentive to Mrs. Middleton. This was Montagu, no very dangerous rival on account of his person, but very much to be feared for his assiduity, the acuteness of his wit, and for some other talents, which are of importance, when a man is once permitted to display them.
Grammont. Thomas Howard, brother to the Earl of Carlisle, was one of them: there was not a braver, nor a more genteel man, in England; and though he was of a modest demeanour, and his manners appeared gentle and pacific, no person was more spirited, nor more passionate. Lady Shrewsbury, inconsiderately returning the first ogles of the invincible Jermyn, did not at all make herself more agreeable to Howard: that, however, she paid little attention to; yet, as she designed to keep fair with him, she consented to accept an entertainment which he had often proposed, and which she durst no longer refuse. A place of amusement, called Spring Garden, was fixed upon for the scene of this entertainment.
Grammont. While satire thus found employment at her cost, there were continual contests for the favours of another beauty, who was not much more niggardly in that way than herself: this was the Countess of Shrewsbury.
The Earl of Arran, who had been one of her first admirers, was not one of the last to desert her: this beauty, less famous for her conquests, than for the misfortunes she occasioned, placed her greatest merits in being more capricious than any other. As no person could boast of being the only one in her favour; so no person could complain of having been ill received.
Jermyn was displeased that she had made no advances to him, without considering that she had no leisure for it: his pride was offended; but the attempt which he made to take her from the rest of her lovers was very ill advised.
[her son] George Rodney Brydges was born to George Rodney Brydges and Anna Maria Brudenell Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford.
Grammont. Such were the heroes of the court. As for the beauties, you could not look anywhere without seeing them: those of the greatest reputation were this same Countess of Castlemaine, afterwards Duchess of Cleveland, Lady Chesterfield, Lady Shrewsbury, the Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Middleton, the Miss Brooks, and a thousand others, who shone at court with equal lustre; but it was Miss Hamilton and Miss Stewart who were its chief ornaments. The new queen gave but little additional brilliancy to the court, either in her person, or in her retinue, which was then composed of the Countess de Panétra, who came over with her in quality of lady of the bedchamber; six frights, who called themselves maids of honour, and a duenna, another monster, who took the title of governess to those extraordinary beauties.
Kings Wessex: Great x 19 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 9 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King Franks
Kings France: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of Philip IV King France
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Brudenell
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Brudenell
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Entwhistle
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Entwhistle
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Brudenell of Doddington in Huntingdonshire
GrandFather: Thomas Brudenell 1st Earl Cardigan
Father: Robert Brudenell 2nd Earl Cardigan 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Tresham 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Tresham 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Harrington
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Tresham 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Parr 1st Baron Parr of Horton 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Parr 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Salisbury
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Tresham 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Catesby
Great x 3 Grandfather: Anthony Catesby of Whiston
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Catesby
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Pigot
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Pigot
GrandMother: Mary Tresham Countess Cardigan 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Throckmorton
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Throckmorton of Coughton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Throckmorton 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Nicholas Vaux 1st Baron Vaux Harrowden
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Vaux 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Fitzhugh Baroness Vaux Harrowden 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Muriel Throckmorton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Hussey
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Hussey 1st Baron Hussey of Sleaford 9 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Berkeley 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Hussey Baroness Hungerford 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Anna Maria Brudenell Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Savage of Frodsham 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Savage 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Savage 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Somerset 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Herbert 3rd Baroness Herbert Raglan 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Savage 1st Baronet 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Manners 11th Baron Ros Helmsley 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne St Leger Baroness Ros of Helmsley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Manners 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Paston
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Bridget Heydon
GrandFather: Thomas Savage 1st Viscount Savage 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Mother: Anna Savage Countess Cardigan 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Darcy
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Darcy 1st Baron Darcy 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Wentworth Countess Bath 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Darcy 2nd Baron Darcy 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 I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Vere Baroness Darcy Chiche 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward 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 Darcy 1st Earl Rivers 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Rich
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Rich 1st Baron Rich
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Dinley
Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Rich
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Jenks
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Jenks Baroness Rich
GrandMother: Elizabeth Darcy 1st Countess Rivers 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Kitson
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Donnington of Stoke Newington
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Donnington Countess Bath
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Kitson Countess Rivers 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Cornwallis
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Cornwallis
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cornwallis 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Jerningham
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Jerningham 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Bridget Drury 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England