Biography of Henry Stewart 1st Duke Gloucester 1640-1660

On 8th July 1640 Henry Stewart 1st Duke Gloucester was born to [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 39) and [his mother] Henrietta Maria Bourbon Queen Consort England (age 30).

In 1641 Alexander Leslie 1st Earl Leven (age 61) was created 1st Earl Leven by [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 40).

In 1641 Elizabeth Darcy 1st Countess Rivers (age 60) was created 1st Countess Rivers for life by [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 40) since she had been passed over when her father's Earldom Countess Rivers passed from her father to her eldest son John Savage 2nd Earl Rivers (age 37).

In 1641 James Stewart 4th Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond (age 28) was created 1st Duke Richmond by [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 40). Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond (age 19) by marriage Duchess Richmond.

In 1641 Charles Cotterell (age 25) was appointed Master of the Ceremonies by [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 40).

On 6th September 1641 William Fermor 1st Baronet (age 20) was created 1st Baronet Fermor of Easton Neston in Northamptonshire by [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 40) who also gave him the command of a troop of horse, and afterwards made him a Privy Councillor to [his brother] Charles, Prince of Wales (age 11).

In 1642 [his brother] James, Duke of York (age 8) was appointed 439th Knight of the Garter by [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 41).

In 1642 Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland (age 22) was appointed 440th Knight of the Garter by his uncle [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 41).

On 28th February 1643 Henry Hunloke 1st Baronet (age 25) was created 1st Baronet Hunloke of Wingerworth in Derbyshire by [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 42).

In 1644 Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland (age 24) was created 1st Duke Cumberland, 1st Earl Holderness by [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 43).

On 23rd May 1644 Alice Leigh 1st Duchess Dudley (age 66) was created 1st Duchess Dudley by [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 43) for life. Her husband Robert Dudley (age 69) had claimed to be the legitimate son of Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester but the Star Chamber found against him. King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland disagreed with their verdict and, in compensation of her subsequent treatment, awarded her the Dukedom... See Patent of Creation.

In November 1644 George Goring 1st Earl Norwich (age 59) was created 1st Earl Norwich by [his brother] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 14) for his support during the Civil War. The last Earl Norwich of the previous creation was his uncle Edward Denny 1st Earl Norwich brother of his mother Anne Denny (age 77).

On 12th April 1645 Colonel William Legge was appointed Groom of the Bedchamber to [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 44).

On 8th July 1645 Francis Hawley 1st Baron Hawley (age 37) was created 1st Baron Hawley of Donsmore by [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 44).

In 1646 Elizabeth Capell (age 54) died in the Channel Islands [Map] to where her husband had travelled with [his brother] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 15).

After January 1649 Henry Wilmot 1st Earl Rochester (age 36) was appointed Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to [his brother] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 18).

In 1650 Charles Lyttelton 3rd Baronet (age 22) was appointed Cupbearer to [his brother] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 19) while the King was in exile.

In 1652 William Crofts 1st Baron Crofts (age 41) was appointed Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to the exiled [his brother] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 21).

In 1653 Henry Stewart 1st Duke Gloucester (age 12) was appointed 454th Knight of the Garter by [his brother] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 22).

In 1656 John Middleton 1st Earl Middleton (age 48) was created 1st Earl Middleton by [his brother] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 25) whilst in exile. Grizel Durham Countess Middleton by marriage Countess Middleton.

In 1656 Adriaen Hanneman (age 53). Portrait of Henry Stewart 1st Duke Gloucester (age 15).

After 1657 Colonel Silius Titus (age 34) was appointed Groom of the Bedchamber by [his brother] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 26) for having published a pamphlet "Killing No Murder" advocating the assassination of Oliver Cromwell (age 57).

In 1659 Thomas Allen 1st Baronet (age 26) was appointed Lord Mayor of London in which role he welcomed [his brother] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 28) into the City of London on 29th May 1660; an important step to his Restoration.

On 13th May 1659 Henry Stewart 1st Duke Gloucester (age 18) was created 1st Duke Gloucester, 1st Earl Cambridge by [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland.

In 1660 Thomas Howard 5th Duke of Norfolk (age 32) was restored 5th Duke Norfolk by [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland in response to a petition by Parliament it having previously been forfeited in 1572 by his great-great-grandfather Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk who had been executed for his involvement in the Ridolphi Plot.

In 1660 George Hamilton 1st Baronet of Donalong (age 53) was created 1st Baronet Donalong by [his brother] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 29) for his allegiance to the Crown.

After 1660 Robert Streater (age 39) was appointed Serjeant to [his brother] King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 29).

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 12th June 1660. Visited by the two Pierces, Mr. Blackburne, Dr. Clerk and Mr. Creed, and did give them a ham of bacon. So to my Lord and with him to the Duke of Gloucester (age 19). The two Dukes dined with the Speaker (age 57), and I saw there a fine entertainment and dined with the pages.

On 3rd September 1660 [his brother] James, Duke of York (age 26) and [his sister-in-law] Anne Hyde (age 23) were married in secret. She by marriage Duchess York. She gave birth to their son [his nephew] Charles Stewart seven weeks later. She the daughter of Edward Hyde 1st Earl Clarendon (age 51) and Frances Aylesbury Countess Clarendon (age 43). He the son of [his father] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland and [his mother] Henrietta Maria Bourbon Queen Consort England (age 50).

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 5th September 1660. Hugh Peters (age 62)¹ is said to be taken, and the Duke of Gloucester (age 20) is ill, and it is said it will prove the small-pox.

Note 1. Hugh Peters, born at Fowey, Cornwall, and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated M.A. 1622. He was tried as one of the regicides, and executed. A broadside, entitled "The Welsh Hubub, or the Unkennelling and earthing of Hugh Peters that crafty Fox", was printed October 3rd, 1660.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 11th September 1660. At Sir W. Batten's (age 59) with Sir W. Pen (age 39) we drank our morning draft, and from thence for an hour in the office and dispatch a little business. Dined at Sir W. Batten's, and by this time I see that we are like to have a very good correspondence and neighbourhood, but chargeable. All the afternoon at home looking over my carpenters. At night I called Thos. Hater out of the office to my house to sit and talk with me. After he was gone I caused the girl to wash the wainscot of our parlour, which she did very well, which caused my wife and I good sport. Up to my chamber to read a little, and wrote my Diary for three or four days past. The Duke of York did go to-day by break of day to the Downs. The Duke of Gloucester (age 20) ill. The House of Parliament was to adjourn to-day. I know not yet whether it be done or no. To bed.

On 13th September 1660 Henry Stewart 1st Duke Gloucester (age 20) died of smallpox. Duke Gloucester and Earl Cambridge extinct. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map] in the same vault as Mary Queen of Scots.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 13th September 1660. Old East comes to me in the morning with letters, and I did give him a bottle of Northdown ale, which made the poor man almost drunk. In the afternoon my wife went to the burial of a child of my cozen Scott's, and it is observable that within this month my Aunt Wight was brought to bed of two girls, my cozen Stradwick of a girl and a boy, and my cozen Scott of a boy, and all died. In the afternoon to Westminster, where Mr. Dalton was ready with his money to pay me for my house, but our writings not being drawn it could not be done to-day. I met with Mr. Hawly, who was removing his things from Mr. Bowyer's, where he has lodged a great while, and I took him and W. Bowyer to the Swan [Map] and drank, and Mr. Hawly did give me a little black rattoon¹, painted and gilt. Home by water. This day the Duke of Gloucester (age 20) died of the small-pox, by the great negligence of the doctors.

Note 1. Probably an Indian rattan cane.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 15th September 1660. Met very early at our office this morning to pick out the twenty-five ships which are to be first paid off: After that to Westminster and dined with Mr. Dalton at his office, where we had one great court dish, but our papers not being done we could [not] make an end of our business till Monday next. Mr. Dalton and I over the water to our landlord Vanly, with whom we agree as to Dalton becoming a tenant. Back to Westminster, where I met with Dr. Castles, who chidd me for some errors in our Privy-Seal business; among the rest, for letting the fees of the six judges pass unpaid, which I know not what to say to, till I speak to Mr. Moore. I was much troubled, for fear of being forced to pay the money myself. Called at my father's (age 59) going home, and bespoke mourning for myself, for the death of the Duke of Gloucester (deceased). I found my mother pretty well. So home and to bed.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 18th September 1660. At home all the morning looking over my workmen in my house. After dinner Sir W. Batten (age 59), Pen, and myself by coach to Westminster Hall [Map], where we met Mr. Wayte the lawyer to the Treasurer, and so we went up to the Committee of Parliament, which are to consider of the debts of the Army and Navy, and did give in our account of the twenty-five ships. Col. Birch (age 45) was very impertinent and troublesome. But at last we did agree to fit the accounts of our ships more perfectly for their view within a few days, that they might see what a trouble it is to do what they desire. From thence Sir Williams both going by water home, I took Mr. Wayte to the Rhenish Winehouse, and drank with him and so parted. Thence to Mr. Crew's (age 62) and spoke with Mr. Moore about the business of paying off Baron our share of the dividend. So on foot home, by the way buying a hat band and other things for my mourning to-morrow. So home and to bed. This day I heard that the Duke of York, upon the news of the death of his brother (deceased) yesterday, came hither by post last night.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 21st September 1660. Office Day. There all the morning and afternoon till 4 o'clock. Hence to Whitehall, thinking to have put up my books at my Lord's, but am disappointed from want of a chest which I had at Mr. Bowyer's. Back by water about 8 o'clock, and upon the water saw the corpse of the Duke of Gloucester (deceased) brought down Somerset House stairs, to go by water to Westminster, to be buried to-night. I landed at the old Swan [Map] and went to the Hoop Tavern, and (by a former agreement) sent for Mr. Chaplin (age 33), who with Nicholas Osborne and one Daniel came to us and we drank off two or three quarts of wine, which was very good; the drawing of our wine causing a great quarrel in the house between the two drawers which should draw us the best, which caused a great deal of noise and falling out till the master parted them, and came up to us and did give us a large account of the liberty that he gives his servants, all alike, to draw what wine they will to please his customers; and we did eat above 200 walnuts. About to o'clock we broke up and so home, and in my way I called in with them at Mr. Chaplin's, where Nicholas Osborne did give me a barrel of samphire¹, and showed me the keys of Mardyke Fort², which he that was commander of the fort sent him as a token when the fort was demolished, which I was mightily pleased to see, and will get them of him if I can. Home, where I found my boy (my maid's brother) come out of the country to-day, but was gone to bed and so I could not see him to-night. To bed.

Note 1. Samphire was formerly a favourite pickle; hence the "dangerous trade" of the samphire gatherer ("King Lear", act iv. sc. 6) who supplied the demand. It was sold in the streets, and one of the old London cries was "I ha' Rock Samphier, Rock Samphier!"

Note 2. A fort four miles east of Dunkirk, probably dismantled when that town was sold to Louis XIV.

On 21st September 1660 Henry Stewart 1st Duke Gloucester (deceased) was buried at south side of the King Henry VII Chapel, Westminster Abbey [Map].

John Evelyn's Diary. 23rd September 1660. In the midst of all this joy and jubilee, the Duke of Gloucester (deceased) died of the smallpox, in the prime of youth, and a prince of extraordinary hopes.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 23rd September 1660. Lord's Day. my wife got up to put on her mourning to-day and to go to Church this morning. I up and set down my journall for these 5 days past. This morning came one from my father's (age 59) with a black cloth coat, made of my short cloak, to walk up and down in. To church my wife and I, with Sir W. Batten (age 59), where we heard of Mr. Mills a very good sermon upon these words, "So run that ye may obtain". After dinner all alone to Westminster. At Whitehall I met with Mr. Pierce and his wife (she newly come forth after childbirth) both in mourning for the Duke of Gloucester (deceased). She went with Mr. Child to Whitehall chapel and Mr. Pierce with me to the Abbey, where I expected to hear Mr. Baxter or Mr. Rowe preach their farewell sermon, and in Mr. Symons's pew I sat and heard Mr. Rowe. Before sermon I laughed at the reader, who in his prayer desires of God that He would imprint his word on the thumbs of our right hands and on the right great toes of our right feet. In the midst of the sermon some plaster fell from the top of the Abbey, that made me and all the rest in our pew afeard, and I wished myself out. After sermon with Mr. Pierce to Whitehall, and from thence to my Lord, but Diana did not come according to our agreement. So calling at my father's (where my wife had been this afternoon but was gone home) I went home. This afternoon, the King having news of the Princess being come to Margate, Kent [Map], he and the Duke of York went down thither in barges to her.

John Evelyn's Diary. 27th September 1660. The [his brother] King (age 30) received the merchant's addresses in his closet, giving them assurances of his persisting to keep Jamaica, choosing Sir Edward Massey Governor (age 41). In the afternoon, the Danish Ambassador's condolences were presented, on the death of the Duke of Gloucester (deceased). This evening, I saw the [his sister] Princess Royal (age 28), mother to the Prince of Orange, now come out of Holland in a fatal period.

On 24th December 1660 [his sister] Mary Stewart Princess Orange (age 29) died of smallpox. Her brother Henry Stewart 1st Duke Gloucester had also died of smallpox a few weeks before; she was buried in the same vault in the King Henry VII Chapel, Westminster Abbey [Map] on 2nd January 1661.

John Evelyn's Diary. 4th November 1670. Saw the Prince of Orange (age 20), newly come to see the [his brother] King (age 40), his uncle; he has a manly, courageous, wise countenance, resembling his [his sister] mother and the Duke of Gloucester, both deceased.

Grammont. The necessity of affairs had exposed [his brother] Charles II from his earliest youth to the toils and perils of a bloody war. The fate of the [his father] king his father had left him for inheritance nothing but his misfortunes and disgraces. They overtook him everywhere; but it was not until he had struggled with his ill-fortune to the last extremity that he submitted to the decrees of Providence.

All those who were either great on account of their birth or their loyalty had followed him into exile; and all the young persons of the greatest distinction having afterwards joined him, composed a court worthy of a better fate.

Plenty and prosperity, which are thought to tend only to corrupt manners, found nothing to spoil in an indigent and wandering court. Necessity, on the contrary, which produces a thousand advantages whether we will or no, served them for education; and nothing was to be seen among them but an emulation in glory, politeness, and virtue.

With this little court, in such high esteem for merit, the King of England returned two years prior to the period we mention, to ascend a throne which, to all appearances, he was to fill as worthily as the most glorious of his predecessors. The magnificence displayed on thus occasion was renewed at his coronation.

The death of the Duke of Gloucester, and of the [his sister] Princess Royal, which followed soon after, had interrupted the course of this splendour by a tedious mourning, which they quitted at last to prepare for the reception of the Infanta of Portugal.