Elizabeth Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Stanhope
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| Countess of Chesterfield | |
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| Born | Elizabeth Butler 29 June 1640 |
| Died | July 1665 (aged 25) |
| Spouse(s) | Philip Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Chesterfield |
| Issue Detail |
Elizabeth |
| Father | James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormond |
| Mother | Elizabeth Preston |
Elizabeth Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield (born Butler; 1640–1665) was a famous Irish lady known for her beauty. She was a member of the royal court of Charles II of England at Whitehall after the king returned to power in England. She was the second wife of Philip Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Chesterfield.
Early Life and Family
Elizabeth was born on June 29, 1640, at Kilkenny Castle in Ireland. She was the oldest daughter of James Butler and Lady Elizabeth Preston. Her father was the Earl of Ormond at the time. He later became a marquess and then a duke.
Her father's family, the Butler dynasty, were an old English family who came to Ireland with the Normans. They were descendants of Theobald Walter. He was given the important job of Chief Butler of Ireland by King Henry II in 1177.
Elizabeth's mother was the only child of Richard Preston, 1st Earl of Desmond. She was a very wealthy heiress. Elizabeth's parents got married on Christmas Day in 1629. They had ten children together, but sadly, five of them passed away when they were very young.
Elizabeth grew up at the West Gate Castle in Thurles, County Tipperary. Before she got married, people knew her as Lady Thurles, which was a special title given to her as the daughter of a nobleman.
Marriage and Daughter
Elizabeth married Philip Stanhope, the Earl of Chesterfield, sometime before September 25, 1660. He had been married before to Lady Anne Percy, who passed away in 1654 without any children who lived to adulthood.
Philip and Elizabeth had one daughter together, Lady Elizabeth Stanhope. She later became the Countess of Strathmore.
The couple moved to live at Bretby in Derbyshire in May 1663. Their daughter, Elizabeth, was born around this time.
Later Life and Legacy
Lady Chesterfield passed away in July 1665, not long after her 25th birthday. She was buried on July 18, 1665, in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.
Her daughter, Lady Elizabeth (born May 1663 – died April 24, 1723), was only two years old when her mother passed away. Lady Elizabeth later married John Lyon, 4th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne in 1691. They had ten children together. A famous descendant of Elizabeth's daughter is Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who became the Queen consort of George VI of the United Kingdom.
A portrait of Elizabeth was painted by a famous artist named Sir Peter Lely. This painting was once owned by Horace Walpole, a well-known writer and art collector.
