Elizabeth Capell, Countess of Essex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elizabeth Percy |
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| Countess of Essex Viscountess Malden |
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| Portrait of Lady Elizabeth Percy by Sir Peter Lely, 1653 | |
| Spouse(s) | Arthur Capell, 1st Earl of Essex, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland |
| Issue | |
| Algernon Capell, 2nd Earl of Essex Anne de Vere Capell Unknown Child |
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| Noble family | Percy |
| Father | Algernon Percy, 10th Earl of Northumberland |
| Mother | Lady Anne Cecil |
| Born | 1 December 1636 Petworth Manor, Sussex, England |
| Died | 5 February 1718 (aged 61) |
Elizabeth Capell, Countess of Essex (born Elizabeth Percy) was an important English noblewoman who lived a long time ago, from 1636 to 1718. She was the daughter of a powerful man, Algernon Percy, 10th Earl of Northumberland. Elizabeth became the wife of Arthur Capell, 1st Earl of Essex. A famous artist named Sir Peter Lely even painted her portrait!
Contents
Elizabeth's Family and Childhood
Elizabeth was born on December 1, 1636, at a place called Petworth Manor in Sussex, England. She was one of five daughters of Algernon Percy, the 10th Earl of Northumberland. Her mother was Lady Anne Cecil. Elizabeth had an older sister named Anne, who married Philip Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Chesterfield.
Elizabeth's grandfather was Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland, who people sometimes called The Wizard Earl. Her grandmother was Dorothy Devereux. Sadly, Elizabeth's mother passed away when Elizabeth was only one year old. Her father later married Lady Elizabeth Howard in 1642. From this second marriage, Elizabeth had a younger half-brother named Joceline Percy, 11th Earl of Northumberland.
Marriage and Children
On May 19, 1653, Elizabeth married Arthur Capell at Petworth. She was 16 years old at the time. A few years later, on August 20, 1661, King Charles II of England gave her husband a special new title. He became Viscount Malden and the first Earl of Essex. This meant Elizabeth was now known as the Countess of Essex.
Elizabeth and Arthur had two children who lived to be adults:
- Algernon Capell, 2nd Earl of Essex (born 1670): He later married Mary Bentinck. They had a son named William Capell, 3rd Earl of Essex.
- Anne de Vere Capell (born 1675): She married Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle in 1688. They had two sons and four daughters.
Life as Countess of Essex
In 1672, Elizabeth's husband, the Earl of Essex, was given important jobs. He became a Privy Counsellor and was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. This meant he was the King's main representative in Ireland. He worked hard to stop unfair practices and corruption there.
One famous thing he did was to protect Phoenix Park in Dublin. The King had promised this beautiful park and its rich lands to his former mistress, Barbara Villiers. But the Earl of Essex made sure that Phoenix Park remained a public park for everyone. Because of his actions, Phoenix Park is still a wonderful place today!
In 1677, the Earl and Countess of Essex returned to England. In 1679, the Earl was given another big job as First Lord of the Treasury. Later, in June 1683, the Earl faced some political trouble and was accused of being involved in a plot. He was sent to the Tower of London. Elizabeth never married again after his death.
Later Life and Death
Elizabeth Capell, Countess of Essex, lived a long life. She passed away on February 5, 1718, when she was 61 years old. She was buried in Watford, Hertfordshire.
Her Portrait
As mentioned, Elizabeth Percy was the subject of a portrait by the very famous court painter, Sir Peter Lely. This painting was created in 1653, the same year she got married. She was 16 years old when the artist captured her image.
