Esmé Stewart, 3rd Duke of Lennox facts for kids
Esmé Stewart, 3rd Duke of Lennox (born 1579, died 1624) was an important Scottish nobleman. He was a second cousin to King James VI of Scotland and I of England. Esmé Stewart was also known for supporting the famous writer Ben Jonson, who even lived with him for five years. He was also the lord of Cobham Manor in Kent.
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Who Was Esmé Stewart's Family?
Esmé Stewart was the younger son of Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox. His father was a Frenchman with Scottish roots and a close friend of King James VI of Scotland. Esmé's mother was Catherine de Balsac.
Esmé Stewart's Important Roles
When his older brother, Ludovic Stewart, 2nd Duke of Lennox, passed away without children, Esmé inherited the title of Duke of Lennox. He already held other important titles like Earl of March and Baron Clifton of Leighton Bromswold in England. He was also the 8th Seigneur d'Aubigny in France.
In 1608, Esmé Stewart took part in a special play called The Hue and Cry After Cupid. This play was performed at Whitehall Palace to celebrate a royal wedding. He played the part of a sign of the zodiac.
Esmé Stewart's Marriage and Children
In 1609, Esmé Stewart married Katherine Clifton, 2nd Baroness Clifton. They had eleven children together. Many of their children were cousins of King Charles I, and several of them bravely fought and died supporting the King during the English Civil War.
Esmé Stewart's Sons
- James Stewart, 4th Duke of Lennox (1612–1655): He was the oldest son and inherited his father's titles. He lived at Cobham Hall in Kent and held the important job of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports at Dover Castle.
- Henry Stewart, 9th Seigneur d'Aubigny (1616–1632): He studied in France and later visited Venice, where he sadly died at age 17.
- Francis Stewart (1616–1617): He died as a baby.
- George Stewart, 9th Seigneur d'Aubigny (1618–1642): He was killed at age 24 while fighting for the King in the English Civil War. He had a son named Charles Stewart, 3rd Duke of Richmond, who later inherited the family titles.
- Ludovic Stewart, 10th Seigneur d'Aubigny (1619–1665): He became a cardinal in the Catholic Church shortly before he died.
- Lord John Stewart (1621–1644): He was killed at age 23, unmarried, while fighting for the King in the English Civil War.
- Lord Bernard Stewart (1623–1645): He was killed at age 22, unmarried, while fighting for the King in the English Civil War. He was supposed to become the Earl of Lichfield for his bravery, but he died before it could happen.
Esmé Stewart's Daughters
- Elizabeth Stewart (1610–1674): She married Henry Howard, 22nd Earl of Arundel.
- Anne Stewart (1614–1646): She married Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus.
- Frances Stewart (1617–1694): She married Jerome Weston, 2nd Earl of Portland.
- Margaret Stewart (1618–1618): She died when she was very young.
Death and Burial
Esmé Stewart passed away on July 30, 1624, at Kirby Hall from an illness. He was buried on August 6, 1624, in Westminster Abbey in London. His burial place is in the special Richmond Vault within the Chapel of King Henry VII.
See also
In Spanish: Esmé Estuardo, III duque de Lennox para niños
