Francis Dashwood 11th Baron Despencer 1708-1781

Henry Chaplin A Memoir: Youth I. It must have been immediately after the marriage of Diana Chaplin [aged 18], and probably in honour of that event, that a masquerade was held at Blankney Hall, of which a list of some of the principal guests and their impersonations has been preserved. Thomas Chaplin having died in 1747, his son John [aged 28], who was not yet married, was presumably the host on this occasion. He chose for himself the character of Henry V Ill., and if he enjoyed the same splendid proportions as his descendant, the last Squire, his choice was justified. An old yellow torn sheet of paper has been preserved on which in faded ink is written:

A LIST OF THE COMPANY AS THEY DANCED AT THE MASQUERADE AT BLANKNEY, THE 9TH JANUARY 1749.

Lord George Manners [aged 25]... A Spaniard

Mr. Glover... A Rich Vandyke

Mr. Chaplin.. King Harry the 8th

Mr. C. Chaplin [aged 18]... A Huzsar

Mr. Amcotts... A Venetian Dancer

Mr. Nevill... Mercury

Sir Francis Dashwood [aged 40]... Pluto (King of Hell with a Little infernal boy bearing up his train)

Mr. Pownall... A Vandyke

Mr. Thornton... A Dancer

Capt. Bell... A Chimney Sweeper (in black Satin)

Duke of Kingston [aged 38]... In a Gold White Domino

Mr. Carter... A Priest

Major Gibbon... Queen Elizabeth's Porter

[his half-brother] Mr. Dashwood [aged 32], Bro^r to Sir Francis... A Russian

Mr. Stevens... A Black Domino

Mr. Porter... Mercury

Mr. Foster... A Domino

Mr. Willis... A Sailor

Mr. King... A Vandyke

Mr. Richd Welby... A Hungarian

Lady Vere Bertie.. A fair Maid of the Inn

Lady Tyrconnel... A Spanish Lady

Miss Wheat... Rubens' Wife

Miss Thornton... Flora

Miss Disney... Violette

Miss N. Amcotts... The Rising Morn

Miss Carter... Queen of the Scots as a widow

Lady Thorold... A Spanish Lady

Miss Mainwaring... Representing Night in a Black Gown with Stars

Miss Maddison... A Country Girl

Lady Dashwood... A Vandyke

Miss Bertie... A Dancer

Miss Bet Hales... An old-fashioned Lady

Mrs. Willie... A Country Girl

Miss I. Cust... Italian Dancer

Miss King... Aurette

Miss N. Welby... A Quaker

Mrs. Porter... A Turkish Lady

Miss Hales... A Country Girl

Miss Lucy Cust... An old Lady

COMPANY THAT SAT BY

Lady Vere Bertie... An Italian Peasant

Lord Tyrconnel... In a blue & silver Domino

Colonel Armiger...

Young Mr. Wills... Capt. Flask

Mr. Middlemore... In a Pink Domino

Mr. Villarial... Scaramouch

Mrs. Chaplin... An Old Woman

Lady George Manners (the Bride) [Diana Chaplin]... A Jardiniere

Mrs. Wills... Queen Elizabeth

Miss Truman... Columbine

Among all this motley crowd, not the least imposing figure was probably that of Sir Francis Dashwood, appropriate in the character chosen, since he was one of the most prominent supporters of the Hell Fire Club.¹

Note 1. He was Chancellor of the Exchequer. Wilkes described him as one who from puzzling all his life at tavern bills was called by Lord Bute to administer the finances of the Kingdom which were 100 millions in debt He was the founder of the Society of the Franciscans at Medmenham Abbey, where the door was surmounted by the motto, "Fay ce que voudras" ["Do Whatever You Want"], and where he played the part of an immoral buffoon for the amusement of Privy Councillors and Members of Parliament.