Biography of William Russell 1st Duke Bedford 1616-1700
Paternal Family Tree: Russell
Maternal Family Tree: Anne Windsor 1466-1500
William Russell 1st Duke Bedford educated at Magdalen College, Oxford University.
Before Aug 1616 [his father] Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 23) and [his mother] Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 36) were married.
In Aug 1616 William Russell 1st Duke Bedford was born to Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 23) and Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 36).
Diary of Anne Clifford 1619. 28 Apr 1619. The 28th my Lord (age 30) and I, my Coz. Sackville and Lady Windsor went to the Tower to see my Lady Somerset (age 28), where we saw her [his future wife] little child (age 3)1. My Lord went to see Earl of Northumberland (age 55)2 and I and the Lady Windsor went to see Lady Shrewsbury (age 63)3, and after supper my Lord and I went by water to Channel Row to see my Lord of Hertford (age 79)4 and his Lady (age 40) where we found my Lady Beauchamp5, my Lord Essex’s (age 28) Sister, then I went to Arundel House and talked with her about Lords being made Knights of the Garter.
Note 1. "Her little Child," Anne Carr, afterwards married to William 5th Earl and 1st Duke of Bedford (age 2).
Note 2. Henry, 6th Earl, a Prisoner since the time of the Gunpowder Plot.
Note 3. Mary Cavendish, wife of Gilbert 7th Earl of Shrewsbury, was sent to the Tower in June 1611, at the same time with her niece the Lady Arabella Stuart first cousin of King James. Lady Arabella died, in the Tower, in 1615.
Note 4. Earl of Hertford son of Protector Somerset, and his 3rd wife Frances, d. of Thomas Viscount Howard of Bindon, widow of Henry Pranell, Esq., and married, 3rdly to Ludovick Stuart Duke of Lenox and Richmond (age 44).
Note 5. Lady Frances Devereux (age 19), and wife of William Lord Beauchamp (age 31), afterwards Marquis of Hertford; daughter of Queen Elizabeth’s favourite, and sister of the Parliament’s General.
Around 1637 Anthony Van Dyck (age 37). Portrait of George Digby 2nd Earl Bristol (age 24) and William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 20).
On 11 Jul 1637 William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 20) and Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 21) were married. She the daughter of Robert Carr 1st Earl Somerset (age 50) and Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset. He the son of Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 44) and Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 57).
In 1638 [his son] Francis Russell was born to William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 21) and [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 22).
Around 1638 Anthony Van Dyck (age 38). Portrait of William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 21).
On 29 Sep 1639 [his son] William Russell was born to William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 23) and [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 23).
On 09 May 1641 [his father] Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 48) died. His son William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 24) succeeded 5th Earl Bedford, 5th Baron Russell of Cheneys, 3rd Baron Russell of Thornhaugh. [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 25) by marriage Countess Bedford.
In 1643 [his son] Edward Russell was born to William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 26) and [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 27).
Around 1645 [his son] Robert Russell was born to William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 28) and [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 29).
In 1650 [his daughter] Anne Russell was born to William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 33) and [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 34).
In 1651 [his son] James Russell was born to William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 34) and [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 35).
In 1652 [his son] George Russell was born to William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 35) and [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 36).
On 09 Apr 1652 [his daughter] Diana Russell Baroness Latimer Willoughby Broke Alington was born to William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 35) and [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 36).
On 31 Aug 1656 [his daughter] Margaret Russell Countess Orford was born to William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 40) and [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 40).
Evelyn's Diary. 22 Apr 1661. Was the splendid cavalcade of his Majesty (age 30) from the Tower of London to Whitehall, when I saw him in the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace [Map] create six Earls, and as many Barons, viz:
Edward Lord Hyde, Lord Chancellor (age 52), Earl of Clarendon; supported by the Earls of Northumberland (age 58) and Sussex (age 14); the Earl of Bedford (age 44) carried the cap and coronet, the Earl of Warwick (age 46), the sword, the Earl of Newport (age 64), the mantle.
Next, was Capel, created Earl of Essex.
Brudenell, Cardigan;.
Valentia, Anglesea;.
Greenvill, Bath;.
Howard, Earl of Carlisle.
The Barons were: Denzille Holles; Cornwallis; Booth; Townsend; Cooper; Crew; who were led up by several Peers, with Garter and officers of arms before them; when, after obedience on their several approaches to the throne, their patents were presented by Garter King-at-Arms, which being received by the Lord Chamberlain (age 59), and delivered to his Majesty, and by him to the Secretary of State, were read, and then again delivered to his Majesty, and by him to the several Lords created; they were then robed, their coronets and collars put on by his Majesty, and they were placed in rank on both sides of the state and throne; but the Barons put off their caps and circles, and held them in their hands, the Earls keeping on their coronets, as cousins to the King.
I spent the rest of the evening in seeing the several archtriumphals built in the streets at several eminent places through which his Majesty was next day to pass, some of which, though temporary, and to stand but one year, were of good invention and architecture, with inscriptions.
Notes:
Arthur Capell 1st Earl Essex (age 29) was created 1st Earl Essex. Elizabeth Percy Countess Essex (age 25) by marriage Countess Essex.
Thomas Brudenell 1st Earl Cardigan (age 78) was created 1st Earl Cardigan. Mary Tresham Countess Cardigan by marriage Countess Cardigan.
Arthur Annesley 1st Earl Annesley (age 46) was created 1st Earl Anglesey, 1st Baron Annesley Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire. Elizabeth Altham Countess Anglesey (age 41) by marriage Countess Anglesey.
John Granville 1st Earl Bath (age 32) was created 1st Earl Bath, 1st Baron Granville of Kilkhampton and Biddeford.
Charles Howard 1st Earl Carlisle (age 32) was created 1st Earl Carlisle.
Denzil Holles 1st Baron Holles (age 61) was created 1st Baron Holles. Jane Shirley Baroness Holles by marriage Baroness Holles.
Frederick Cornwallis 1st Baron Cornwallis (age 50) was created 1st Baron Cornwallis.
George Booth 1st Baron Delamer (age 38) was created 1st Baron Delamer. Elizabeth Grey Baroness Delamer (age 39) by marriage Baroness Delamer.
Horatio Townshend 1st Viscount Townsend (age 30) was created 1st Baron Townshend of Lynn Regis in Norfolk.
Anthony Ashley-Cooper 1st Earl Shaftesbury (age 39) was created 1st Baron Ashley of Wimborne St Giles.
On 29 Aug 1667 [his son-in-law] Greville Verney 17th Baron Latimer 9th Baron Willoughby (age 18) and [his daughter] Diana Russell Baroness Latimer Willoughby Broke Alington (age 15) were married. She by marriage Baroness Latimer of Corby, Baroness Willoughby Broke. She the daughter of William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 51) and [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 51).
In 1668 [his son] Edward Russell (age 25) and [his daughter-in-law] Frances Williams were married. He the son of William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 51) and [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 52).
Evelyn's Diary. 03 Aug 1668. Mr. Bramstone (son to Judge B), my old fellow-traveler, now reader at the Middle Temple, invited me to his feast, which was so very extravagant and great as the like had not been seen at any time. There were the Duke of Ormond (age 57), Privy Seal (age 62), Bedford (age 52), Belasis (age 54), Halifax (age 34), and a world more of Earls and Lords.
In 1669 [his son] William Russell (age 29) and [his daughter-in-law] Rachel Wriothesley (age 33) were married. She the daughter of Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester and Rachel Massue Countess Southampton. He the son of William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 52) and [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 53).
Around 1672 Peter Lely (age 53). Postumous portrait of Princess Henrietta Stewart Duchess Orléans (age 27) commissioned by her brother Charles II King Scotland and presented by him in the Council ChamberWhere it still hangs today, in recognition of her birth in Bedford House, Exeter, the town house of the William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 55) who had given her mother refuge during the dangerous years before her father's execution in 1649.
On 29 May 1672 William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 55) was appointed 475th Knight of the Garter by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 42).
On 15 Jul 1675 [his son-in-law] William Alington 1st and 3rd Baron Alington (age 35) and [his daughter] Diana Russell Baroness Latimer Willoughby Broke Alington (age 23) were married. She by marriage Baroness Alington of Killard. She the daughter of William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 58) and [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 59).
Evelyn's Diary. 28 Jun 1683. After the Popish Plot, there was now a new and (as they called it) a Protestant Plot discovered, that certain Lords and others should design the assassination of the King (age 53) and the Duke (age 49) as they were to come from Newmarket, with a general rising of the nation, and especially of the city of London, disaffected to the present Government. Upon which were committed to the Tower [Map], the [his son] Lord Russell (age 43), eldest son of the Earl of Bedford (age 66), the Earl of Essex, Mr. Algernon Sidney (age 60), son to the old Earl of Leicester, Mr. Trenchard, Hampden, Lord Howard of Escrick, and others. A proclamation was issued against my Lord Grey, the Duke of Monmouth (age 34), Sir Thomas Armstrong, and one Ferguson, who had escaped beyond sea; of these some were said to be for killing the King, others for only seizing on him, and persuading him to new counsels, on the pretense of the danger of Popery, should the Duke live to succeed, who was now again admitted to the councils and cabinet secrets. The Lords Essex and Russell were much deplored, for believing they had any evil intention against the King, or the Church; some thought they were cunningly drawn in by their enemies for not approving some late counsels and management relating to France, to Popery, to the persecution of the Dissenters, etc. They were discovered by the Lord Howard of Escrick and some false brethren of the club, and the design happily broken; had it taken effect, it would, to all appearance, have exposed the Government to unknown and dangerous events; which God avert!
Evelyn's Diary. 02 Aug 1683. The Countesses of [his sister] Bristol (age 63) and Sunderland (age 37), aunt and cousin-german of the late [his son] Lord Russell (deceased), came to visit me, and condole his sad fate. The next day, came [his brother] Colonel Russell (age 63), uncle to the late Lord Russell, and brother to the Earl of Bedford (age 67), and with him Mrs. Middleton (age 38), that famous and indeed incomparable beauty, daughter to my relation, Sir Robert Needham.
On 10 May 1684 [his wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford (age 68) died.
Evelyn's Diary. 27 Jan 1685. I din'd at Lord Sunderland's (age 43), being invited to heare that celebrated voice of Mr. Pordage, newly come from Rome; his singing was after the Venetian recitative, as masterly as could be, and with an excellent voice both treble and basse; Dr. Walgrave accompanied it with his theorba lute, on which he perform'd beyond imagination, and is doubtlesse orie of the greatest masters in Europe on that charming in strument. Pordage is a priest, as Mr. Bernard Howard (age 44) told me in private. There was in the roome where we din'd, and in his bed-chamber, those incomparable pieces of Columbus, a Flagellation, the Grammar-schoole, the Venus and Adonis of Titian; and of Vandyke's that picture of the late E. of Digby (father of the Countess of Sunderland (age 39)), and Earle of Bedford (age 68), Sr Kenelm Digby, and two Ladys of incomparable performance; besides that of Moses and the burning bush of Bassano, and several other pieces of ye best masters. A marble head of M. Brutus, &c.
On 14 Feb 1689 William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 72) was appointed Privy Council.
In 1690 [his son] Robert Russell (age 45) and [his daughter-in-law] Letitia Cheek were married. He the son of William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 73) and [his former wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford.
In Nov 1691 [his son-in-law] Edward Russell 1st Earl Orford (age 38) and [his daughter] Margaret Russell Countess Orford (age 35) were married. She by marriage Countess Orford. She the daughter of William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 75) and [his former wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford. They were first cousins.
In or before 1692 [his son] George Russell (age 39) and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Pendleton were married. He the son of William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 75) and [his former wife] Anne Carr Countess of Bedford.
On 11 May 1694 William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 77) was created 1st Duke Bedford, 1st Marquess Tavistock.
On 13 Jun 1695 William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 78) was created 1st Baron Howland of Streatham.
On 07 Sep 1700 William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 84) died at Bedford House Covent Garden. His grandson [his grandson] Wriothesley Russell 2nd Duke Bedford (age 19) succeeded 2nd Duke Bedford, 2nd Marquess Tavistock, 6th Earl Bedford, 6th Baron Russell of Cheneys, 4th Baron Russell of Thornhaugh, 2nd Baron Howland of Streatham.
[his daughter] Catharine Russell was born to William Russell 1st Duke Bedford and Anne Carr Countess of Bedford.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 15 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks
Kings France: Great x 11 Grand Son of Philip IV King France
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Russell
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Russell
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Russell 1st Earl Bedford
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Wise
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Wise
Great x 1 Grandfather: Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Sapcote
Great x 3 Grandfather: Guy Sapcote of Thornhaugh, Bedfordshire
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne de Semarc
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Sapcote Countess Bedford
GrandFather: William Russell 1st Baron Russell 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John St John 
7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John St John 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Bradshaigh
Great x 2 Grandfather: John St John 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Morgan ap Jenkin Lord of Langstone
Great x 3 Grandmother: Sybil of Lansgtone Manor
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret St John Countess Bedford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Waldegrave
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Waldegrave
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Waldegrave 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Wentworth 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Wentworth 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Howard 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Father: Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
GrandMother: Elizabeth Long Baroness Russel Thornhaugh
William Russell 1st Duke Bedford 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Brugge 5th Baron Chandos
Great x 3 Grandfather: Giles Brugge 6th Baron Chandos
Great x 4 Grandmother: Florence Darell Baroness Chandos
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Brydges 1st Baron Chandos
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Baynham
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Baynham Baroness Chandos
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edmund Brydges 2nd Baron Chandos 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Grey 8th Baron Grey of Wilton 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Grey 9th Baron Grey of Wilton 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Grey Baroness Grey Wilton 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Grey Baroness Chandos 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Hastings 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Florence Hastings Baroness Grey Wilton 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Tattershall
GrandFather: Giles Brydges 3rd Baron Chandos 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Bray of Eaton Bray 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edmund Braye 1st Baron Braye
Great x 1 Grandmother: Dorothy Braye Baroness Chandos and Knollys 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Halwell of Halwell in Devon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Halwell Baroness Bray 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John IV Norbury 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Norbury 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Mother: Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Clinton 6th Baron Clinton 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Clinton 7th Baron Clinton 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Stafford Baroness Clinton 
12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Clinton 8th Baron Clinton 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Morgan of Tredegar 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Morgan Baroness Clinton 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Martha Vaughan 
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Clinton 1st Earl Lincoln 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Poynings 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Poynings 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Paston 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Poynings Baroness Clinton 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
GrandMother: Anne Clinton 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Stourton 2nd Baron Stourton 
7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Stourton 6th Baron Stourton 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Chideock 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Stourton 7th Baron Stourton 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Ursula Stourton Baroness Clinton 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Dudley 
6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Dudley 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bramshott
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Dudley Baroness Stourton 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Windsor
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Windsor