Elizabeth Hamilton, Countess of Orkney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Countess of Orkney
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Portrait of the countess
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| Full name |
Elizabeth Hamilton
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| Born | Elizabeth Villiers 1657 England |
| Died | 19 April 1733 (aged 75–76) London, England |
| Noble family | Villiers family (by birth) House of Hamilton (by marriage) |
| Spouse(s) | George Hamilton, 1st Earl of Orkney |
| Issue | Anne O'Brien, 2nd Countess of Orkney Frances Lumley-Saunderson, Countess of Scarbrough Henrietta Boyle, Countess of Cork |
| Father | Sir Edward Villiers |
| Mother | Lady Frances Howard |
Elizabeth Hamilton, Countess of Orkney (born Villiers; 1657 – 19 April 1733) was an important English lady at court. She came from the Villiers family. Elizabeth became a lady-in-waiting to Queen Mary II. She was also a close companion to King William III, who ruled England and Scotland.
Contents
Early Life and Royal Connections
Elizabeth Villiers was born in 1657 in England. Her father was Colonel Sir Edward Villiers. Her mother was Lady Frances Howard.
In 1660, King Charles II's brother, James (who later became King James II), married Anne Hyde. Elizabeth's mother, Lady Villiers, became the governess for James and Anne's children. Only two of their children, Mary (born in 1662) and Anne (born in 1665), lived to be adults. Both later became queens.
Lady Villiers used her position to help her own children. Elizabeth's sisters, Anne and Katherine, became maids of honour. They went with Lady Mary to the Hague when she married and became the Princess of Orange. Elizabeth's brother, Edward, became the Master of the Horse. This shows how well-connected her family was to the royal court.
Life at Court
Elizabeth Villiers became a close companion to William, Prince of Orange, in 1680. He later became King William III of England and Scotland. Queen Mary II, William's wife, died in 1694. After her death, William ended his special friendship with Elizabeth. It is said he did this because his wife had wished it before she passed away.
In 1694, two men had a serious disagreement, which some people said was about Elizabeth Villiers. John Law was a young man with no money at the time. He had a conflict with Edward "Beau" Wilson. Law killed Wilson on April 9, 1694. Law was found guilty of murder, but his punishment was changed to a fine. He was later put in prison, but he managed to escape to Amsterdam.
In 1695, King William gave Elizabeth a large amount of land in Ireland. This land had belonged to James II and then to Queen Mary II. However, the Parliament later took this land back from her in 1700.
Marriage and Later Life
On November 25, 1695, Elizabeth married her cousin, Lord George Hamilton. He was the fifth son of the 3rd Duchess of Hamilton. A few weeks later, on January 3, he was given the titles of Earl of Orkney, Viscount of Kirkwall, and Baron Dechmont.
Elizabeth became the Countess of Orkney. She was very good at helping her husband with his interests. Their marriage was a happy one.
In 1696, she started Midleton College. This was a grammar school in County Cork, Ireland.
Lady Orkney remained an important person in society even during the time of the Hanoverian kings. She hosted King George I and King George II at her home in Cliveden, Buckinghamshire. She passed away in London on April 19, 1733.
Family Connections
Elizabeth was a first cousin to Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess of Cleveland. Barbara Palmer was a close companion of King Charles II. Their fathers were brothers.
Elizabeth's aunt was Anne Douglas, Countess of Morton. She was the godmother and governess of Henrietta of England. Henrietta later became the Duchess of Orléans. Elizabeth's brother was Edward Villiers, 1st Earl of Jersey. His great-grandson married Frances Twysden, who was also a royal companion.
Children
Elizabeth Villiers and George Hamilton, 1st Earl of Orkney had three daughters:
- Lady Anne Hamilton: She inherited her father's title and became the Countess of Orkney. She married her cousin William O'Brien, 4th Earl of Inchiquin in 1720.
- Lady Frances Hamilton: She married Thomas Lumley-Saunderson, 3rd Earl of Scarbrough.
- Lady Henrietta Hamilton: She married John Boyle, 5th Earl of Cork.
