Charles Dartiquenave facts for kids
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Charles Dartiquenave (born around 1664, died October 19, 1737) was an English gentleman known for his love of fine food and good company. He was also a courtier, meaning he served at the royal court.
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Charles Dartiquenave was also known as Charles Darteneuf. People at the time sometimes whispered that he might have been the son of King Charles II. Another idea is that he was raised by a French family who had moved to England, and he took their name.
A Lover of Good Food and Fun
Dartiquenave really enjoyed delicious food and being with friends. He was known as a bon-vivant, which means someone who loves life and enjoys good food, drink, and company.
He was good friends with famous writers like Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope. They often shared meals and drinks with other important people like Henry St. John. Jonathan Swift once said that Dartiquenave was one of the best at making puns (a type of joke using words that sound alike). Swift also called him "the man that knows everything."
Alexander Pope, in his poems, mentioned Dartiquenave as someone who really knew a lot about food, especially a good "ham-pie." Later, a writer named Lord Lyttelton wrote a book where he imagined a conversation between Dartiquenave and an ancient Roman food lover, showing how famous Dartiquenave was for his love of food.
Working for the Government
Charles Dartiquenave was a strong supporter of the Whig Party, a political group in England. Because of his support, he got important jobs in the government.
From 1706 to 1726, he was the paymaster for royal construction projects. This meant he was in charge of paying for all the work done on royal buildings. He also bought the right to manage Hampton Court Palace and its parks for a time.
In 1726, he became the surveyor-general of the king's gardens, overseeing all the royal gardens. He hoped to get another job managing the king's private roads, but someone else got that position.
Dartiquenave lived in St. James's Palace in London. He passed away on October 19, 1737, and was buried in the church at Albury, Hertfordshire.
His Family Life
Charles Dartiquenave was married to Mary Scroggs. She was from Albury parish and inherited some land there. Mary passed away in 1756.
They had a son who became a captain in the guards. Later, Dartiquenave's grandson sold the family property in 1775.
The Kit-Cat Club
Because he was well-known in society and supported the Whig Party, Dartiquenave was a member of the Kit-Cat Club. This was a famous club in London where important writers, artists, and politicians met.
His portrait was painted by a famous artist named Godfrey Kneller for the club. This painting is considered one of the best in the collection, showing his unique personality.
