Lady Charlotte Finch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lady Charlotte Finch
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_by_John_Robinson.jpg)
Lady Charlotte Finch, painting after John Robinson
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| Full name |
Charlotte Fermor
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| Born | 14 February 1725 |
| Died | 11 July 1813 (aged 88) St James's Palace |
| Buried | Ravenstone, Buckinghamshire |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Issue | George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea Sophia Fielding |
| Father | Thomas Fermor, 1st Earl of Pomfret |
| Mother | Henrietta Louisa Jeffreys |
| Occupation | Royal governess |
Lady Charlotte Finch (born Charlotte Fermor; 14 February 1725 – 11 July 1813) was a British royal governess. She worked for the children of King George III and Queen Charlotte. Lady Charlotte held this important job for over 30 years, from 1762 to 1793. Her parents, Thomas Fermor, 1st Earl of Pomfret, and Henrietta Louisa Jeffreys, were also part of the royal court. Lady Charlotte was very well educated, just like her sisters. In 1746, she married William Finch. They had several children, including George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea.
Lady Charlotte was a very skilled woman. She became the royal governess in August 1762. This was right after George, Prince of Wales, the first son of King George and Queen Charlotte, was born. Lady Charlotte was in charge of the royal nursery. She managed all the staff who worked there. She also planned lessons for the royal children. She looked after the princes until they were old enough to have their own homes. The six princesses stayed under her care until they turned 21. Lady Charlotte retired in 1793. Even after retiring, she kept in touch with the royal family. They often sent her gifts.
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Lady Charlotte's Early Life and Marriage
Lady Charlotte Fermor was born on 14 February 1725. She was the second daughter of Thomas Fermor, 1st Earl of Pomfret. Her mother was Henrietta Louisa Jeffreys. Their family grew to include ten children: four sons and six daughters. Lady Charlotte's parents held important jobs at the royal court. Her father was in charge of the horses for Queen Caroline. Her mother was a Lady of the Bedchamber, helping the Queen.
Charlotte and her family traveled a lot. They visited famous places in Europe. We don't know many details about her education. But old diaries show that she and her sisters were very well educated. Charlotte and her mother loved to read and were interested in religious topics. Charlotte was friends with Elizabeth Carter, a very educated woman. She spoke Italian so well that Horace Walpole said in 1740 she spoke "purest Tuscan." He also said that people in Florence thought she was the smartest visitor they had.
On 9 August 1746, Charlotte married William Finch. He was 34 years older than her. William Finch had been a diplomat. He worked as an envoy in Sweden and the Netherlands. He also served as a Member of Parliament. From 1742, he was a vice-chamberlain in the royal household. Lady Charlotte and William had one son and four daughters. Their only son, George, later became an Earl.
Becoming a Royal Governess
Lady Charlotte Finch started her job as royal governess in August 1762. This was just one day after George, Prince of Wales, was born. He was the first son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. Many people approved of this choice. Lady Charlotte was known for raising her own children very well. Her educated background also made her a great fit for the role.
Lady Charlotte worked as royal governess for over 30 years. She looked after 14 of the King and Queen's 15 children. She was in charge of the royal nursery. This meant she managed all the staff for each child. This staff included other governesses, teachers, and personal helpers. She oversaw the princes' education until they were old enough to live in their own homes. The six princesses stayed under her care until they turned 21.
In the mid-1760s, Lady Charlotte faced some personal difficulties. One of her daughters passed away in 1765. Her husband, William Finch, became unwell. For her safety, she moved out of their home. She took their children to live with her at St James's Palace and a house in Kew. Her husband passed away in late 1766. Despite these challenges, Lady Charlotte continued her work with dedication. In early 1767, another of her daughters became ill. Lady Charlotte took time off to care for her, but sadly, her daughter did not survive. She returned to her job in November 1767. She was there to care for Prince Edward, the fifth royal child.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lady Charlotte has been described as warm, capable, and kind. The royal children did not see their parents very often. Lady Charlotte was the main adult figure in their lives. The princes had strict lessons. But the princesses loved Lady Charlotte very much. They called her "Lady Cha." Queen Charlotte herself said that her children "can never be in better hands than yours."
Lady Charlotte believed in a modern way of teaching. She focused on what was best for each child. She also shared a love for education with Queen Charlotte. They used "dissected maps," which were some of the first jigsaw puzzles. These helped teach geography.
The princesses' education was just as strict as the princes'. Queen Charlotte believed that educated women were just as capable as men. Lady Charlotte, along with another governess, Mrs. Cotesworth, planned lessons in arts and sciences. Both the princes and princesses learned these subjects. They studied geography, English, grammar, music, sewing, dancing, and art. A tutor named Julie Krohme taught them French. As they got older, the princesses went to Lady Charlotte's new house at Kew for their lessons. The princes spent less time with Lady Charlotte as they grew up. They then moved into the care of male governors.
In 1774, Mrs. Cotesworth retired due to poor health. Lady Charlotte asked to spend less time with the children. But Queen Charlotte did not agree. The Queen felt that Lady Charlotte should spend more time with them. Lady Charlotte explained that she already spent many hours with the princesses. She said she was getting older and found it harder to keep up with so many young children. She even offered to resign so the Queen could hire someone younger. This ended the Queen's request to increase her hours. Lady Charlotte stayed in her job. A new sub-governess, Martha Gouldsworthy, was hired. She spent a lot of time with the princesses. In 1782, Prince Alfred, the 14th royal child, became ill and passed away at nearly two years old. Lady Charlotte had cared for him devotedly.
Retirement and Passing
By 1792, Lady Charlotte Finch was ill and had become deaf. Princess Sophia said that autumn, "I am grieved to death about her." She added that Lady Charlotte was kinder than ever. Lady Charlotte resigned from her role in November 1792. She officially retired on 5 January 1793.
Even after retiring, she continued to write to the royal family. They also sent her gifts, especially the Prince of Wales, who later became George IV. She received a yearly payment of £600. Lady Charlotte Finch passed away on 11 July 1813 at St James's Palace.
She was buried in her family's burial place in Ravenstone, Buckinghamshire. Five royal dukes attended her funeral. Her youngest daughter was allowed to keep their apartments at St James's. Lady Charlotte left most of her money to her three surviving children. Her memorial, created by Francis Leggatt Chantrey, is in Holy Cross Church, Burley. This church is next to Burley House, her son's home.
Lady Charlotte's Children
- Charlotte Finch (born 1 September 1747).
- Sophia Finch (born 17 October 1748), who married Captain Charles Fielding in 1772 and had children.
- Frances Finch (23 September 1749 –1765).
- Henrietta Finch (born 28 December 1750).
- George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea (4 November 1752 – 2 August 1826).
