Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Northumberland facts for kids

Elizabeth Wriothesley, painted by Sir Peter Lely for the famous Windsor Beauties collection at Hampton Court.

Another portrait of Elizabeth Wriothesley by Sir Peter Lely.

Lady Elizabeth Wriothesley in a portrait from around 1662-1663, found at Petworth House.

Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Northumberland (born Wriothesley; 1646 – 19 September 1690), was an important person in the British royal court. She was known as one of the "Windsor Beauties" because she was painted by the famous artist Sir Peter Lely.

Her Family Background

Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas Wriothesley, 4th Earl of Southampton. He was a very important nobleman. Her mother was Lady Elizabeth Leigh. Her grandfather was Francis Leigh, 1st Earl of Chichester.

Her Marriages and Children

Elizabeth Percy was married two times in her life.

First Marriage

On 23 December 1662, she married Joceline Percy, 11th Earl of Northumberland. He was a wealthy man who owned Petworth House in Sussex and many other lands across England.

Elizabeth traveled with her husband to Italy. Sadly, he became ill and passed away in Turin in 1670.

With the Earl of Northumberland, she had two children:

• Henry Percy, Lord Percy (1668–1669). He sadly died as a baby, before his father.
• Lady Elizabeth Percy (1667–1722). After her brother's death, she inherited a lot of land and wealth from the Percy family. When she was 15, she married Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset.

Second Marriage

On 24 August 1673, Elizabeth married Ralph Montagu in Titchfield, Hampshire. They also had two children:

• John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu (around 1690 – 5 July 1749).
• Anne Montagu, who later married Alexander Popham.

During her marriage to Ralph Montagu, he inherited his father's title and later became "Earl Montagu." This meant Elizabeth was once again a countess. After Elizabeth passed away, Ralph Montagu was given the title of the 1st Duke of Montagu.

A Famous Portrait Subject

Elizabeth was a big supporter of the artist Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680). He painted her many times. Her portraits were part of the famous "Windsor Beauties" collection at Hampton Court. These paintings were a series of beautiful women portraits. Some were even ordered by Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany.