Mary Stafford Countess Stafford 1620-1694

Around 1620 Mary Stafford Countess Stafford was born to Edward Stafford [aged 18] and Ann Wilford.

Before 6th April 1621 [her father] Edward Stafford [aged 19] and [her mother] Ann Wilford were married.

On 6th April 1621 [her father] Edward Stafford [aged 19] died.

In 1625 [her grandfather] Edward Stafford 4th Baron Stafford [aged 53] died. His grandson Henry [aged 3] succeeded 5th Baron Stafford.

On 4th August 1637 [her brother] Henry Stafford 5th Baron Stafford [aged 15] died. His first cousin twice removed Roger [aged 65] succeeded 6th Baron Stafford. His succession was disputed. Roger petitioned Parliament for the title, at the age of sixty-five. A commission was appointed to examine his claim, headed by Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester. Eventually, the claim reached King Charles I who denied it on grounds of Stafford's poverty. The judgment read "that the said Roger Stafford, having no part of the inheritance of the said Lord Stafford, nor any other lands or means whatsoever…should make a resignation of all claims and title to the said Barony of Stafford, for his majesty to dispose of as he should see fit". He surrendered the title by deed on 7 December 1639 for a sum of £800

On 11th October 1637 William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford [aged 22] and Mary Stafford Countess Stafford [aged 17] were married. He the son of Thomas Howard 14th or 21st Earl of Arundel 4th Earl of Surrey 1st Earl Norfolk [aged 52] and Alethea Talbot Countess Arundel, Surrey and Norfolk [aged 52]. They were half fourth cousin once removed.

In 1640 Roger Stafford 6th Baron Stafford [aged 68] died unmarried. Baron Stafford extinct. The title Baron Stafford was created again in 1640 for the husband of Roger's first-cousin twice-removed Mary Stafford Countess Stafford [aged 20], sister of [her brother] Henry Stafford 5th Baron Stafford.

On 12th September 1640 William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford [aged 25] was created 1st Baron Stafford jointly with his wife Mary Stafford Countess Stafford [aged 20].

In November 1640 William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford [aged 25] was created 1st Viscount Stafford. Mary Stafford Countess Stafford [aged 20] by marriage Viscountess Stafford.

On 4th October 1646 Thomas Howard 14th or 21st Earl of Arundel 4th Earl of Surrey 1st Earl Norfolk [aged 61] died. His son Henry [aged 38] succeeded 14th or 22nd Earl Arundel, 5th Earl Surrey, 2nd Earl Norfolk, 12th Baron Maltravers, 12th Baron Arundel, 15th Baron Mowbray, 16th Baron Segrave. Elizabeth Stewart Countess Arundel and Norfolk [aged 36] by marriage Countess Arundel, Countess Norfolk, Countess Norfolk.

Around 1648 [her son] Henry Stafford-Howard 1st Earl Stafford was born to William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford [aged 33] and Mary Stafford Countess Stafford [aged 28]. He married before 1719 Claude Charlotte Gramont.

On 17th April 1652 [her brother-in-law] Henry Howard 15th or 22nd Earl of Arundel 5th Earl of Surrey 2nd Earl Norfolk [aged 43] died. His son Thomas [aged 25] succeeded 16th or 23rd Earl Arundel, 6th Earl Surrey, 3rd Earl Norfolk, 13th Baron Maltravers, 13th Baron Arundel, 16th Baron Mowbray, 17th Baron Segrave.

In 1660 [her son] John Stafford-Howard was born to William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford [aged 45] and Mary Stafford Countess Stafford [aged 40]. He married 1. Mary Southcote and had issue 2. 15th February 1708 Theresa Strickland and had issue.

On 30th April 1669 John Paulet 5th Marquess Winchester [aged 71] and Isabella Stafford-Howard Marchioness Winchester were married. She by marriage Marchioness Winchester. She the daughter of William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford [aged 54] and Mary Stafford Countess Stafford [aged 49]. He the son of William Paulet 4th Marquess Winchester and Lucy Cecil Marchioness Winchester. They were third cousin twice removed.

In 5th October 1688 Mary Stafford Countess Stafford [aged 68] was created 1st Countess Stafford for life. Her former husband William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford had been executed in 1680.

On 2nd September 1691 [her daughter] Isabella Stafford-Howard Marchioness Winchester died.

On 13th January 1694 Mary Stafford Countess Stafford [aged 74] died. She was buried at the Chapel of St Edmund, Westminster Abbey [Map]. Her son Henry [aged 46] succeeded 2nd Baron Stafford.

[her daughter] Alethea Stafford Howard was born to William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford and Mary Stafford Countess Stafford.

[her daughter] Delphina Stafford Howard was born to William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford and Mary Stafford Countess Stafford.

[her daughter] Ursula Stafford Howard was born to William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford and Mary Stafford Countess Stafford.

[her son] Francis Stafford-Howard was born to William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford and Mary Stafford Countess Stafford. He married Eleanor Stanford.

[her daughter] Isabella Stafford-Howard Marchioness Winchester was born to William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford and Mary Stafford Countess Stafford. She married 30th April 1669 her third cousin twice removed John Paulet 5th Marquess Winchester, son of William Paulet 4th Marquess Winchester and Lucy Cecil Marchioness Winchester.

[her daughter] Anastasia Stafford Howard was born to William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford and Mary Stafford Countess Stafford. She married George Holman and had issue.