Charles Beauclerk, 1st Duke of St Albans

The Most Noble Charles Beauclerk (May 8, 1670 - May 10, 1726), was an illegitimate son of King Charles II of England by his mistress Nell Gwynne.

Related Topics:
The Most Noble - May 8 - 1670 - May 10 - 1726 - Illegitimate - Charles II of England - Nell Gwynne

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Charles was made Baron Hedington and Earl of Burford in December, 1670. In 1684 he was made Duke of St. Albans. He became colonel in the 8th regiment of horse in 1687, and served with the emperor Leopold I, being present at the siege of Belgrade in 1688.

Related Topics:
Baron Hedington - Earl of Burford - 1670 - Duke of St. Albans - 1687 - Leopold I - Belgrade - 1688

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When his mother died (14 November 1687) Beauclerk received a large estate, including Burford House, near Windsor Castle. After the Battle of Landen in 1693, William III made Beauclerk captain of the gentlemen pensioners, and four years later gentleman of the bedchamber. His father had given him the reversion of the office of Hereditary Master Falconer and that of Hereditary Registrar of the Court of Chancery, which fell vacant in 1698. His Whig sentiments prevented his advancement under Queen Anne, but he was restored to favor at the accession of George I. In 1718 George I made him a Knight of the Garter.

Related Topics:
14 November - 1687 - Battle of Landen - 1693 - William III - 1698 - Anne - George I - Knight of the Garter

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Beauclerk died at Bath amd is buried in Westminster Abbey. His wife Diana, daughter and heiress of Aubrey de Vere, 20th and last Earl of Oxford, was a well-known beauty, who became lady of the bedchamber to Caroline of Ansbach, Princess of Wales, and survived until January 15, 1742. Charles was succeeded by his eldest son, also named Charles Beauclerk, while his youngest son, Lord Aubrey Beauclerk (c. 1710-1741), became a captain in the royal navy, and died in a fight in the West Indies on March 22, 1741.

Related Topics:
Bath - Westminster Abbey - Aubrey de Vere - Earl of Oxford - Caroline of Ansbach - January 15 - 1742 - Lord Aubrey Beauclerk - 1710 - 1741 - March 22

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There are several legends as to how Beauclerk was made Earl of Burford. The first is that on arrival of the King, his mother said, "Come here, you little bastard, and say hello to your father." When the king rebuked her for calling him that, she replied, "Your Majesty has given me no other name to call him by." In response, Charles created him Earl of Burford. "The little bastard" was enobled before he was one year old so the story is unlikely to be true.

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Another legend is that Beauclerk's mother held him out of a window (or above a river) and threatened to drop him unless he was given a peerage. Charles supposedly cried out "God save the Earl of Burford!" and subsequently created that peerage.

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