Biography of Charles Gerard 2nd Earl Macclesfield 1659-1701

Before 1659 [his father] Charles Gerard 1st Earl Macclesfield [aged 40] and [his mother] Jeanne de Civelle Countess Macclesfield were married. She by marriage Baroness Gerard of Brandon in Suffolk.

Around 1659 Charles Gerard 2nd Earl Macclesfield was born to [his father] Charles Gerard 1st Earl Macclesfield [aged 41] and [his mother] Jeanne de Civelle Countess Macclesfield.

After 3rd September 1678 [his brother-in-law] Digby Gerard 5th Baron Gerard [aged 16] and [his sister] Elizabeth Gerard Baroness Gerard [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Baroness Gerard of Gerard's Bromley. She the daughter of [his father] Charles Gerard 1st Earl Macclesfield [aged 60] and [his mother] Jeanne de Civelle Countess Macclesfield. They were third cousin once removed.

On 23rd July 1679 [his father] Charles Gerard 1st Earl Macclesfield [aged 61] was created 1st Earl Macclesfield, 1st Viscount Brandon of Brandon in Suffolk.[his mother] Jeanne de Civelle Countess Macclesfield by marriage Countess Macclesfield.

On 18th June 1683 Charles Gerard 2nd Earl Macclesfield [aged 24] and Anna Mason Countess Macclesfield [aged 15] were married. He the son of Charles Gerard 1st Earl Macclesfield [aged 65] and Jeanne de Civelle Countess Macclesfield.

Roger Whitley's Diary. 6th January 1690. Monday, I dined at home with brother & daughters; in the evening Beversham came to see me; went in my coach to the end of Suffolk Streete; I went to Lord Macclesfeild [aged 31]; Thomson was with him; did not speake to me; went away; then Atwood came but stayd not; I stayd neare ½ houer; then went to Edisbury's lodging; his cosen, Sir John Wynne & another with him; I went then to Mr Halles of Lincolnes Inne; gave him my papers & 2 guineys; then went to the Nag's Head; there was Wood, Coling, Harris, Hales & 2 or 3 more & Mainwaring; parted past 9.

Roger Whitley's Diary. 5th February 1690. Wednesday, I went to Lord Delamer [aged 38] then to Lord Macclesfeild [aged 31], then to Wood, to Pigeon, to Hall at the Treasurer of Chamber's office; walked in Whitehall an houer; spoke with severall acquaintance there; came home past 12; dined with Biddolph, Mainwaring, 2 sons, brother, Morgan, William Morgan &c; went about 7 to St Albans Taverne; there was Wood, Colt, Biddolph, Mainwaring, Bedisford came about 9. we parted at 10.

Roger Whitley's Diary. 7th June 1690. Satorday, severall of the King's servants came to provide for him; viz: Mr Isaack, Lambe, Clarke, Fronteene, &c. neare 2 o'clock the King [aged 39] came, with Lord: Portland [aged 40], Scarborow [aged 40]; Overkirk [aged 50], Solmes, Scranmore, Zulestein, &c. Dutch & English, the Bishop: & severall of the clergy, &c. the King went to dine, past 2; had severall of his noblemen & gentry to dine with him; he also commanded the Bishop: & me to sitt downe; Lord Warrington [aged 38] came when we were at dinner; sate downe; we were 13 or 14 at table; his Majesty did me the honor to drink to me; after dinner he talked with me a long while at the window; then retired, writ letters, &c. Sir Thomas Delves [aged 59] & severall gentlemen of the County dined with Mr Isack (who had tables provided in the Kilne) & the rest of the King's servants, officers of the Guards, &c. were provided for in one place or other; the King walked in the gardens, to the stables in the evening; discoursed often very obligingly with me after he came in; retired to his chamber; had some new layd eggs to his supper; went to bed before 11. in the afternoone the County gentlemen, clergy, cittisens of Chester & Recorder (who were sent to [fo. 119r] know his Majesty's: pleasure about coming to Chester) kissed his hand; & in the evening my daughters, grandchildren, aunts &c; when he walked in the garden he gathered cherryes & seemed well pleased, &c. there was a good supper prepared in the Kilne for those that would eate, besides many of the King's great officers & servants; Lord Warrington, Sir Rowland Gwynn [aged 32] & others lay in the house; I went to bed (weary) before 11 o'clock; Lord Brandon [aged 31] lay at Mr Hardwares, also Mr Row.

On 7th January 1694 [his father] Charles Gerard 1st Earl Macclesfield [aged 76] died. His son Charles [aged 35] succeeded 2nd Earl Macclesfield, 2nd Viscount Brandon of Brandon in Suffolk, 2nd Baron Gerard of Brandon in Suffolk. [his wife] Anna Mason Countess Macclesfield [aged 26] by marriage Countess Macclesfield.

In March 1698 Charles Gerard 2nd Earl Macclesfield [aged 39] and Anna Mason Countess Macclesfield [aged 30] were divorced by Act of Parliament; the first occasion on which a divorce was so granted without a previous decree of an ecclesiastical court.

On 11th January 1700 [his sister] Elizabeth Gerard Baroness Gerard [aged 41] died.

On 5th November 1701 Charles Gerard 2nd Earl Macclesfield [aged 42] died without legitimate issue; his two children with [his former wife] Anna Mason Countess Macclesfield [aged 33] had been declared illegitimate. His brother Fitton [aged 38] succeeded 3rd Earl Macclesfield, 3rd Viscount Brandon of Brandon in Suffolk, 3rd Baron Gerard of Brandon in Suffolk.

In 1753 [his former wife] Anna Mason Countess Macclesfield [aged 85] died.