In 1782, the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire made the acquaintance of Lady Elizabeth (Bess) Foster née Hervey (1758-1824), the daughter of Frederick Hervey, 4 th Earl of Bristol who was separated from her own husband (and three sons). Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Thomas Gainsborough, 1787 Chatsworth House It is well-known that the marriage was unhappy the duke was emotionally cold to Georgiana although he continued to entertain mistresses. Lady Charlotte Boyle (1731-1754) by George Knapton English Heritage, Chiswick HouseĪnd so we come to William Cavendish, 5 th Duke of Devonshire (1748-1811), who married Lady Georgiana Spencer (1757-1806) in 1774, on her 17 th birthday at Wimbledon parish church. So, Charlotte was only ever Marchioness of Hartington, but we felt she should take her place on this blog. She died of smallpox at Uppingham in Rutland at the beginning of December 1754, mere months before her husband became the duke upon the death of his father (and tragically, she died just over 8 months after the birth of her fourth child). Now, strictly speaking, Charlotte should not be included here as she never actually became the Duchess of Devonshire. Lady Dorothy Boyle (1724-1742), Countess of Euston, and Her Sister Lady Charlotte Boyle (1731-1754), Later Marchioness of Hartington by Dorothy Savile National Trust, Hardwick Hall Charlotte inherited all her father’s estates and the title of Baroness Clifford in her own right. Yes, you’re correct! The next to hold the title was William Cavendish, 4 th Duke of Devonshire who, when Marquess of Hartington, married Lady Charlotte Elizabeth Boyle, the only surviving daughter of Richard Boyle, 3 rd Earl of Burlington (it was a wedding which had been planned since they were both children, and was a very happy one). Portrait of Katherine Hoskins, Duchess of Devonshire as St Catherine by Charles Jervas Chatsworth House Katherine outlived her husband by more than 20 years. At a young age, he married Katherine Hoskins or Hoskyn (c.1698-1777) of whom little appears to be known.Īn interesting snippet concerning the 3 rd Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, they are the most recent common ancestors of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer Charles is descended from the 3 rd duke’s eldest son (who we will come onto next, go on, have a guess at his name!) and the second eldest daughter of the family, Lady Elizabeth Cavendish (who married John Ponsonby) was the direct ancestor of Diana. The eldest son of the 2 nd Duke and Duchess was… you’ve guessed it! William Cavendish, 3 rd Duke of Devonshire (1698-1755). Rachel Russell (1674-1725), Duchess of Devonshire by Godfrey Kneller National Trust, Hardwick Hall
William and Rachel married on 21 st June 1688 and had five children. Next is the Honourable Rachel Russell (1674-1725), daughter of William Russell, Lord Russell and the wife of William Cavendish, 2 nd Duke of Devonshire (c.1672-1729) (you might be gathering by this point that the Cavendish family weren’t that imaginative when it came to naming the heir!).
Lady Mary Butler (1646-1710), Duchess of Devonshire by Willem Wissing National Trust, Hardwick Hall
His support of the Glorious Revolution in 1688 brought him the support of William III (of Orange) and in 1694 the Earl and Countess of Devonshire became, additionally, the 1 st Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. In 1662 she married William Cavendish (1640-1707), then merely Lord Cavendish, the eldest son of William Cavendish, 3 rd Earl of Devonshire in 1684 Mary became the Countess of Devonshire when her husband succeeded to the earldom. We start with Lady Mary Butler (1646-1710), daughter of James Butler, 1 st Duke of Ormonde. But, what of the other Duchesses of Devonshire during the long eighteenth-century? Today, we are taking a whistle-stop tour to look at them one-by-one. We all know of the famous (or infamous) Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana Cavendish née Spencer.
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