Charlotte Lee, Countess of Lichfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charlotte Fitzroy |
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| Countess of Lichfield Lady Lee, of Quarendon |
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| Charlotte Fitzroy, Countess of Lichfield | |
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| Charlotte Lee, Lady Baltimore Charles Lee, Viscount Quarendon Edward Lee, Viscount Quarendon Captain Hon. James Lee Hon. Francis Lee Lady Anne Morgan Hon. Charles Lee George Lee, 2nd Earl of Lichfield Hon. Francis Henry Fitzroy Lee Lady Elizabeth Young Barbara Browne, Lady Browne Lady Mary Lee Hon. Fitzroy Lee Hon. FitzRoy Henry Lee Hon. William Lee Hon. Thomas Lee Hon. John Lee Robert Lee, 4th Earl of Lichfield |
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| Noble family | Stuart |
| Father | Charles II of England |
| Mother | Barbara Villiers, 1st Duchess of Cleveland |
| Born | 5 September 1664 |
| Died | 17 February 1718 (aged 53) |
Charlotte Lee, Countess of Lichfield (born 5 September 1664 – died 17 February 1718) was a famous woman from English history. She was born as Lady Charlotte Fitzroy. Her father was King Charles II of England. Her mother was Barbara Villiers, 1st Duchess of Cleveland. Charlotte was known for her beauty. She married Edward Henry Lee, 1st Earl of Lichfield when she was 12 years old. They had a very large family together.
Growing Up
Charlotte Fitzroy was born on 5 September 1664. She was the fourth child of Barbara Palmer. Barbara was the daughter of a Royalist commander. Charlotte was looked after by a governess in Berkshire House.
Charlotte's mother was married to Roger Palmer. But Charlotte and her siblings were the children of King Charles II. The King accepted Charlotte as his daughter. This is why she had the last name Fitzroy. "Fitzroy" means "child of the King."
A writer named Samuel Pepys once wrote that Charlotte would likely have good marriage chances. He said her mother joked that Charlotte would be the first young woman at court to get married.
Charlotte was a favorite of James, Duke of York. He was King Charles II's younger brother. James later became King James II. Historian John Heneage Jesse said that we know little about Charlotte, except that she was beautiful. When she was a child, a famous painter named Sir Peter Lely painted her. In the painting, she is sitting with her Indian page. She holds grapes and wears a pink silk dress. This painting is now in the York Art Gallery.
Another art historian, Anna Brownell Jameson, said Charlotte was as beautiful as her mother. But she was different in every other way.
It seems King Charles II was a loving father. In 1682, he wrote to Charlotte. He said he was happy to hear she was expecting a child. He hoped to see her soon to tell her how much he loved her.
Marriage and Family
On 16 May 1674, Charlotte was set to marry Sir Edward Lee. She was not yet ten years old. They married on 6 February 1677, when she was 12. Sir Edward became the Earl of Lichfield in 1673. Charlotte's family gave her a large sum of money, £18,000, for the marriage. Her husband also received £2,000 a year.
Charlotte and Edward had many children together. They had eighteen children in total. Some of their notable children included:
- Charlotte Lee, Lady Baltimore (born 1678 – died 1721). She had ten children from two marriages.
- George Henry Lee, 2nd Earl of Lichfield (born 1690 – died 1743). He inherited his father's title.
- Lady Elizabeth Lee (born 1693 – died 1741). She married twice and had children.
- Vice Admiral Hon. FitzRoy Henry Lee (born 1700 – died 1751). He became a naval officer.
- Robert Lee, 4th Earl of Lichfield (born 1706 – died 1776). He also inherited the Earl title later.
Later Life and Legacy
Charlotte Lee passed away on 17 February 1718. She was 53 years old. She was buried in All Saints Churchyard in Spelsbury, Oxfordshire, England.
A building was built next to her house. This building later became very famous. It is known today as 10 Downing Street.
