Earl Coventry

On 15th July 1699 Thomas Coventry 1st Earl Coventry (age 70) died. His son Thomas (age 37) succeeded 2nd Earl Coventry, 6th Baron Coventry. Anne Somerset Countess Coventry (age 25) by marriage Countess Coventry. He was buried in St Mary Magdalene's Church, Croome D'Abitot [Map].

The Monument in St Mary the Virgin Church, Elmley [Map] was commissioned by his second wife (age 29) for installation at St Mary Magdalene's Church, Croome D'Abitot [Map] but it rejected by his son. She, apparently, being somewhat imaginative in the inscription describing her provenance to from the Graham family. She was the daughter of Richard Grimes, a mean person, by trade a Turner, and sister of Richard Grimes, a Waterman. She had been niece of the Earl's housekeep, and a servant in his household, and he had married her in his declined old age: "Elizabeth, Countess by her dower right, descended from the noble family of the Grahams, daughter of Richard, son of Richard Graham of the County of Norfolk, Esquire, who valiantly fought as a captain for King Charles I. She placed this, a token of sincere love and utmost respect, as a final pledge of her soul, mourning deeply, in gratitude for the tender affection shown to her by her lord and husband—though blessed with no children. And after her death, she desired that her body be laid here with her most beloved husband."

"Elizabeth comitissa eius dotaria e nobili Grahamorum familia prognatta Richardi filii Ricardi Graham de Com. Norff. Armi. pro rege Carolo Primo strenue dimicantis capitanei, filia; Hoc amoris sinceri, summæ observantiæ gratio demun animi pignus, pro tenerrimo dni et mariti erga se affectu nulla licet beata prole, moestissima posuit; et post obitum corpus suum cum dilectissimo marito hic recondi voluit."

Monument including a white marble figure elbow reclining on a deep chest in front of a lengthy inscription and under an arch crowned with armorial bearings. Large sub-figures flank the chest and the armorial bearings. Earl's coronet. Signed by William Stanton (age 60). Powdered Wig. Heeled Shoes. Buckled Shoes.

Thomas Coventry 2nd Earl Coventry: Around 1662 he was born to Thomas Coventry 1st Earl Coventry and Winifred Edgecumbe. In 1691 Thomas Coventry 2nd Earl Coventry and Anne Somerset Countess Coventry were married. She the daughter of Henry Somerset 1st Duke Beaufort and Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort. He the son of Thomas Coventry 1st Earl Coventry and Winifred Edgecumbe. They were sixth cousins. In August 1710 Thomas Coventry 2nd Earl Coventry died. His son Thomas succeeded 3rd Earl Coventry, 7th Baron Coventry.

Anne Somerset Countess Coventry: On 22nd July 1673 she was born to Henry Somerset 1st Duke Beaufort and Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort. On 14th February 1763 Anne Somerset Countess Coventry died at Snitterfield, Warwickshire.

The Times. 25th January 1865. MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE. The marriage of the Earl of Coventry (age 26) and Lady Blanche Craven (age 22), third daughter of Earl Craven (age 55), was solemnized yesterday morning at St. George's Church, Hanover-square. The bridegroom and the friends of both families assembled at the church at 11 o'clock, and shortly afterwards were joined by the bride, accompanied by her mother, the Countess Craven (age 48). The bride was received by her father at the church door, and, attended by eight bridesmaids, proceeded at once to the communion table, in front ot which a numerous company had assembled, including the Earl (age 65) and Countess of Clarendon (age 54) and Lady Emily Villiers (age 22), the Countess of Verulam (age 40) and Lady Harriet Grimston (age 20), Viscount (age 49) and Viscountess Folkestone (age 43) and Hon. Miss Bouverie, the Countess of Sefton (age 27) and Lady Cecilia Molyneux, Viscount Chelsea (age 24), and Lady Caroline Townley (age 27) and Miss Townley, Viscount Uffington (age 23), Sir Henry (age 58) and Lady Sophia Des Voeux, Hon. Mr. and Mrs Coventry, Hon. Gerald (age 35) and Lady Maria Ponsonby (age 28), Mr. Oswald andl Miss Oswald, Dr. Quin, Mr. Cecil Boothby (age 51), Mr. James Oswald, Miss Talbot, Viscount (age 32) and Viscountess Grey de Wilton (age 28), Lady Evelyn Bruce (age 25), Hon. Mrs. Grimston and Miss Grimston, &c.

The Hon. and Rev. Edward Grimston (age 52), uncle of the bride, performed the religious rite. After the registration of the marriage the wedding party left the church, and procceded to the Earl and Countess Craven's mansion in Charles-street, Mayfair. At 2 o'clock the newly-wedded couple took their departure for Croome Court, the Earl of Coventry's seat, near Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire [Map], there to pass the honeymoon. At Croome Pirton and Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, the marriage was celebrated yesterday by the tenantry and neighbours of the Earl of Coventry. The tenantry of the Crome Pirton and Severn Stoke estates, to ths number of about 100, dined together in two parties yesterday at Severn Stoke and High-green. At Pirton and Severn Stoke garlands of evergreens and flags were hung out over the roads, and at night a bonfire was lighted at High-green. The rejoicings have extended over all his Lordship's large estates in the southern portion of Worcestershire. The inhabitants of Worcester [Map] celebrated the marriage by hoisting flags from tile windows and streamers across the streets. The bells from the various churches rang merry peals all day.

On 24th January 1865 George Coventry 9th Earl Coventry and Blanche Craven Countess Coventry were married. She by marriage Countess Coventry. She the daughter of William Craven 2nd Earl Craven and Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven.