Biography of Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick 1559-1619

Before 1559 [his father] Robert Rich 2nd Baron Rich of Leez (age 21) and [his mother] Elizabeth Baldry Baroness Rich Leez (age 21) were married.

In December 1559 Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick was born to Robert Rich 2nd Baron Rich of Leez (age 22) and Elizabeth Baldry Baroness Rich Leez (age 22).

In 1581 [his father] Robert Rich 2nd Baron Rich of Leez (age 44) died. In 1581 His son Robert (age 21) succeeded 3rd Baron Rich of Leez.

On 10th January 1581 Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 21) and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 18) were married. She by marriage Baroness Rich of Leez. She the daughter of Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex and Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 37).

In 1583 George St Paul 1st Baronet (age 21) and [his future wife] Frances Wray Countess Warwick were married.

On 17th July 1583 Thomas Perrot (age 30) and [his sister-in-law] Dorothy Devereux Countess Northumberland (age 19) were married. The marriage took place without the consent of the Queen to whom Dorothy was lady in Waiting for which Thomas was imprisoned in the Fleet Prison [Map]. She the daughter of Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex and [his mother-in-law] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 39). They were fifth cousins.

On 21st June 1585 Henry Percy 8th Earl of Northumberland (age 53) committed suicide at Tower of London [Map]. He was found dead in his bed in his cell, having been shot through the heart. A jury was at once summoned, and returned a verdict of suicide. He was buried in St Peter ad Vincula Church, Tower of London [Map]. His son Henry (age 21) succeeded 9th Earl of Northumberland, 12th Baron Percy of Alnwick, 20th Baron Percy of Topcliffe, 3rd Baron Percy of Alnwick, 11th Baron Poynings. [his sister-in-law] Dorothy Devereux Countess Northumberland (age 21) by marriage Countess of Northumberland.

In June 1587 [his brother-in-law] Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex (age 21) was appointed Master of the Horse.

On 5th June 1587 [his son] Robert Rich 2nd Earl Warwick was born to Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 27) and [his wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 24).

In 1588 [his brother-in-law] Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex (age 22) was appointed 369th Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 54).

Around 1589 [his daughter] Essex Rich was born to Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 29) and [his wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 25).

In 1589 [his daughter] Lettice Rich was born to Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 29) and [his wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 25).

In 1590 [his brother-in-law] Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex (age 24) and Frances Walsingham Countess Essex (age 23) were married. She by marriage Countess Essex. He the son of Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex and [his mother-in-law] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 46). They were half fourth cousin once removed.

Before 19th August 1590 [his son] Henry Rich 1st Earl Holland was born to Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 30) and [his wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 27).

On 19th December 1591 [his mother] Elizabeth Baldry Baroness Rich Leez (age 54) died.

In 1593 [his brother-in-law] Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex (age 27) was appointed Privy Council.

Around 1593 [his daughter] Isabella Rich was born to Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 33) and [his wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 29).

In 1594 Henry "Wizard Earl" Percy 9th Earl of Northumberland (age 29) and [his sister-in-law] Dorothy Devereux Countess Northumberland (age 30) were married. She the daughter of Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex and [his mother-in-law] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 50). He the son of Henry Percy 8th Earl of Northumberland and Katherine Neville Countess Northumberland (age 49). They were third cousin once removed.

In 1599 [his brother-in-law] Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex (age 33) was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

On 5th August 1599 Alexander Radclyffe of Ordsall Hall (age 26) died of wounds and fever in Ulster while campaigning with the [his brother-in-law] Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex (age 33) during the unsuccessful attempt to bring Ireland under English control. The Queen (age 65) herself informed his twin sister of her brother's death.

In 1603 Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex (age 11) and Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset (age 12) were married. They were separated after the wedding given their young age. Essex went on a European tour from 1607 to 1609. When he returned she avoided him having fallen for Robert Carr 1st Earl Somerset (age 16) whilst her husband was away. He was ill with smallpox. She sought an annulment with her father [his brother-in-law] Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex and uncle Henry Howard 1st Earl of Northampton (age 62) acting for her. She maintained the marriage had not been consummated and was examined by ten matrons and two midwives who found her hymen intact. It was widely rumoured at the time that Sir Thomas Monson's (age 38) daughter was a substitute, which is possible because she had requested to be veiled during the examination "for modesty's sake". He maintained he was capable with other women, but was unable to consummate his marriage blaming her. She the daughter of Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 41) and Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 39). He the son of Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex and Frances Walsingham Countess Essex (age 36). They were fourth cousins.

In 1605 Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 45) and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 41) were divorced.

In February 1605 [his son] Robert Rich 2nd Earl Warwick (age 17) and [his daughter-in-law] Frances Hatton Countess Warwick (age 15) were married. He the son of Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 45) and [his former wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 42).

On 26th December 1605 Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 42) and [his former wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 42) were married at Wansted House, Essex during a service conducted by Archbishop William Laud (age 32) (future). The marriage was regarded as uncanonical and resulted in the disgrace of both parties, who were banished from King James I's court circles. She by marriage Countess Devonshire. She the daughter of Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex and [his former mother-in-law] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 62). They were third cousins.

On 7th July 1607 [his former wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 44) died.

Before 1612 [his son-in-law] Gervase Clifton 1st Baronet (age 24) and [his daughter] Penelope Rich Lady Clifton were married. She by marriage Lady Clifton of Clifton in Nottinghamshire. She the daughter of Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 52) and [his former wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire.

In 1616 Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 56) and Frances Wray Countess Warwick were married. She by marriage Baroness Rich of Leez.

In 1616 [his son] Henry Rich 1st Earl Holland (age 25) and [his daughter-in-law] Isabel Cope Countess Holland were married. He the son of Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 56) and [his former wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire.

Before 15th February 1616 [his son-in-law] George Carey (age 75) and [his daughter] Lettice Rich (age 27) were married. The difference in their ages was 48 years. She the daughter of Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 56) and [his former wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire.

In 1618 Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 58) was created 1st Earl Warwick. [his wife] Frances Wray Countess Warwick by marriage Countess Warwick.

Before 1619 [his son-in-law] Arthur Lake (age 20) and [his daughter] Lettice Rich (age 29) were married. She the daughter of Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 59) and [his former wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire.

Diary of Anne Clifford. 20th March 1619. The 20th my Lord of Warwick (age 59) died at Arlington House leaving a great estate to [his son] Lord Rich (age 31)¹ and my good friend his [his daughter-in-law] Lady (age 29), and leaving his [his wife] wife which was my Lady Lampwell a widow the second time. This day Wat. Coniston made an end of reading Mr Saragol's Book of the Supplication of the Saints which my Lord (age 30) gave me.

Note 1. 2nd Earl of Warwick, the Parliament's Admiral.

On 20th March 1619 Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 59) died. His son [his son] Robert (age 31) succeeded 2nd Earl Warwick, 4th Baron Rich of Leez. [his daughter-in-law] Frances Hatton Countess Warwick (age 29) by marriage Countess Warwick.

He was buried at St Lawrence's Church, Snarford [Map]. Unusual head and shoulder portrait sculpture of deceased full face, with a profile of his wife [his wife] Frances Wray Countess Warwick behind, set in a circular medallion. To either side are pelleted Pilasters supporting an entablature with scrolled Cartouche of arms and flanked by heraldic supporters. The whole is painted and gilded and beneath is a panel containing an inscribed poem. Above his Arms implaled with hers. His are quartered 1&4 Rich Arms 2&3 Baldry Arms (his mother), hers quartered 1&4 Wray 2&3 Unknown. the monument is perhaps the work of Epiphanius Evesham. Sculpted by Epiphanius Evesham.

Around 1634 [his former wife] Frances Wray Countess Warwick died. She was buried at St Lawrence's Church, Snarford [Map].

[his daughter] Penelope Rich Lady Clifton was born to Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire.

[his son] Charles Rich was born to Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire.