Charles Beauclerk, 1st Duke of St Albans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of St Albans
|
|
|---|---|
Charles Beauclerk circa 1690, on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
|
|
| Born | 8 May 1670 |
| Died | 10 May 1726 (aged 56) Bath, England |
| Buried | Westminster Abbey |
| Noble family | Beauclerk |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Issue | Charles Beauclerk, 2nd Duke of St Albans Lady Diana Beauclerk Lord William Beauclerk Vere Beauclerk, 1st Baron Vere Lord Henry Beauclerk Lord Sidney Beauclerk Lord George Beauclerk Lord Seymour Beauclerk Lord James Beauclerk Lord Aubrey Beauclerk Lady Mary Beauclerk Lady Anne Beauclerk |
| Father | Charles II of England |
| Mother | Nell Gwyn |
Charles Beauclerk, 1st Duke of St. Albans (born May 8, 1670 – died May 10, 1726) was an important person in English history. He was the son of King Charles II of England and his mother was Nell Gwyn, a famous actress. Even though his parents were not married, Charles Beauclerk was given many special titles and roles during his life. He became a Duke and was known for his service to the country.
Contents
The Life of Charles Beauclerk
Charles Beauclerk's family name, Beauclerk, means "fine scholar" in an old French language. This name was also used for King Henry I a long time ago.
When Charles was young, on December 21, 1676, King Charles II decided to give him important titles. He became the Baron of Heddington and the Earl of Burford. These titles would also pass down to his male children. His younger brother, James, also received a special title, Lord Beauclerk.
On January 5, 1684, King Charles II gave his son Charles an even higher title: the Duke of St. Albans. He also gave him money each year and important jobs. These jobs included being the Chief Ranger of Enfield Chace (meaning he managed a large hunting ground) and the Master of the Hawks (meaning he was in charge of the royal falcons used for hunting). He would take over these jobs after the people currently holding them passed away.
In 1687, Charles became a colonel in a cavalry regiment, which is a group of soldiers who ride horses. He even fought in a big battle called the siege of Belgrade in 1688, helping the emperor Leopold I.
When his mother, Nell Gwyn, passed away in 1687, Charles received a lot of land and property. This included Burford House, which was close to Windsor Castle. After another battle in 1693, King William III made Charles the captain of the gentlemen pensioners, a group of bodyguards for the monarch. Four years later, he became a gentleman of the bedchamber, a personal attendant to the King.
Charles also inherited the jobs of Hereditary Master Falconer and Hereditary Registrar of the Court of Chancery in 1698. These were important roles that stayed in his family. He was not as favored by Queen Anne because of his political beliefs (he was a Whig). However, when King George I became king, Charles was back in favor. In 1718, King George I made him a Knight of the Garter, which is a very high honor.
Charles Beauclerk passed away in Bath on May 10, 1726, when he was 56 years old. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, a famous church where many important people are laid to rest. His oldest son took over his titles and roles.
Family Life
On April 17, 1694, Charles Beauclerk married Lady Diana de Vere. She was the only daughter and heir of Aubrey de Vere, 20th Earl of Oxford. Lady Diana was known for her beauty and later became a lady of the bedchamber to Caroline of Ansbach, who was the Princess of Wales. Charles and Diana had twelve children together.
Sons
- Charles Beauclerk, 2nd Duke of St Albans (born April 6, 1696 – died July 27, 1751): He was their oldest son and inherited his father's titles.
- Lord William Beauclerk (born May 22, 1698 – died February 23, 1733)
- Admiral Vere Beauclerk, 1st Baron Vere (born July 14, 1699 – died October 21, 1781): He became an admiral in the navy.
- Colonel Lord Henry Beauclerk (born August 11, 1701 – died January 5, 1761): He was a colonel in the army.
- Lord Sidney Beauclerk (born February 27, 1703 – died November 23, 1744)
- Lieutenant-General Lord George Beauclerk (born December 26, 1704 – died May 11, 1768): He became a lieutenant-general in the army.
- Lord Seymour Beauclerk (born June 24, 1708 – died around 1709)
- Rev. Lord James Beauclerk (born around 1709 – died October 20, 1787): He became the Bishop of Hereford, a religious leader.
- Lord Aubrey Beauclerk (born around 1710 – died March 22, 1741): He was a captain in the Royal Navy and died in a battle.
Daughters
- Lady Diana Beauclerk (born around 1697)
- Lady Mary Beauclerk (born around 1712)
- Lady Anne Beauclerk (born around 1714)
How Charles Became Earl of Burford
There are some interesting stories about how Charles Beauclerk became the Earl of Burford.
One story says that when King Charles II visited, Nell Gwyn, his mother, called him "Come here, you little bastard, and greet your father." When the King was upset by this, she replied, "Your Majesty has given me no other name to call him by." Because of this, the King supposedly gave him the title Earl of Burford.
Another story says that Nell Gwyn held Charles out of a window (or over a river) and said she would drop him unless he was given a noble title. The King then supposedly shouted, "God save the Earl of Burford!" and then created that title for him.
Images for kids
-
The full coat of arms for Charles Beauclerk, 1st Duke of St. Albans.
