Lucy Walter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lucy Walter
Portrait by unknown artist
Born	c. 1630 Roch Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Died	1658 (aged c. 28) Paris, France
Other names	Lucy Barlow (pseudonym)
Partner(s)	Lord Robert Sidney Charles II of England Theobald Taaffe, 1st Earl of Carlingford Sir Henry de Vic Lord Thomas Howard
Children	James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth Mary Crofts
Parent(s)	William Walter Elizabeth Protheroe

Lucy Walter (born around 1630 – died 1658) was a Welsh noblewoman. She was a special friend of King Charles II of England and the mother of his son, James, Duke of Monmouth. Later, some people wanted her son to become king. They spread a rumor that King Charles had secretly married Lucy. The king, however, said this was not true.

Lucy Walter: A Life Story

Her Early Life

Lucy Walter was born into a Welsh gentry family around 1630. Her parents were William Walter and Elizabeth Prothero. She likely grew up at Roch Castle in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Lucy had two brothers, Richard and Justus. She did not go to school but learned good manners and how to behave in society.

When Lucy was about 10, her parents separated. Lucy, her mother, and brothers moved to London. Here, she might have met the Sidney family, who were important nobles. In 1647, when Lucy was 17, a court decided she and her brothers should live with their father. This was because her mother could no longer afford to care for them.

Later, Lucy traveled to the Dutch Republic (modern-day Netherlands). She went there to join the court of Charles, Prince of Wales, who was living in exile. She hoped to find a partner among the young noblemen there. For a short time, she was a special friend of Robert Sidney. He was the brother of Algernon Sidney.

Her Time with King Charles II

James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, Lucy Walter's son, around 1682.

In May 1648, Lucy met Prince Charles in The Hague. He was also 18 years old. Many people believe she was his first special friend. They might have spent more time together in September 1648. On April 9, 1649, Lucy gave birth to a son named James. Prince Charles said James was his son, even though he was born outside of marriage. James was sent to live with a wet nurse (a woman who breastfeeds another's child) near Rotterdam. Lucy then moved to Antwerp.

In August 1649, Lucy went to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, to see Charles. He had become king in January after his father, Charles I of England, was executed. Lucy stayed with King Charles in Paris and Saint-Germain-en-Laye. She may have also gone with him to Jersey in September. Around this time, she started using the name Barlow, from a relative.

Later Years and Challenges

In June 1650, King Charles left for Scotland. There was an attempt to take Lucy's son, James. He was missing for 10 days but was found safely. On May 6, 1651, Lucy had a daughter named Mary. Her father was probably Viscount Taaffe.

After a big battle in England in late 1651, King Charles escaped back to the Dutch Republic. This time, he told Lucy their relationship was over. Lucy found this hard to accept. For the next four years, she caused some problems for the king's court in exile. She thought about marrying Sir Henry de Vic but it did not happen. Then she returned to The Hague. There, she became a special friend of Thomas Howard.

In early 1656, Lucy was in Cologne. Some of the king's friends convinced her to return to England. They gave her money and a pearl necklace. They also promised her a yearly payment of £400. She moved to London with Lord Thomas, her children, and a maid.

People suspected Lucy might be a spy. In June 1656, she and her maid were arrested and put in the Tower of London. After being questioned, they were released in July. They were sent back to the Dutch Republic. By this time, Lord Thomas had left her. King Charles could not pay her allowance, so she had no money for her children. She threatened to make his letters public if he did not pay. The king wanted to take care of their 8-year-old son, James. He managed to get James in March 1658. James was then sent to Paris to live with William, Lord Crofts. James started using Crofts as his last name.

Soon after, Lucy also moved to Paris. She told a priest named John Cosin that she had married King Charles. She supposedly gave him proof, which he kept in a black box. This box was later said to be passed down to Sir Gilbert Gerard. Lucy Walter died between August and December 1658. She was likely buried in a cemetery in Paris. After King Charles became king of England again, he brought their son James to England. He made James the Duke of Monmouth. Because of his difficult childhood, James never learned to read or write well.

The Fight for the Throne

King Charles II and his wife, Catherine of Braganza, did not have any children who could become king or queen. This meant his brother, James, Duke of York, was next in line for the throne. However, the Duke of York was Catholic. Many people in England wanted a Protestant ruler.

Rumors started that King Charles had married Lucy Walter. If this were true, her son James, the Duke of Monmouth, would be a legitimate (born in marriage) son. This would make him the rightful heir and a Protestant choice.

Sir Gilbert Gerard, who supposedly had the "black box" with proof of the marriage, was called before the king's advisors in January 1678. He said he knew nothing about the proof. King Charles also said he had never married Lucy.

After King Charles died in 1685, the Duke of York became King James II. The Duke of Monmouth then started a rebellion against him. This rebellion was defeated in the Battle of Sedgemoor. The Duke of Monmouth was then executed.

Her Children

Lucy Walter had two children:

• By Charles II of England (1630–1685):
  • James Scott, Duke of Monmouth (born April 9, 1649, in Rotterdam – died July 15, 1685, in London). He married Lady Anne Scott and had children.
• Probably by Theobald Taaffe, 1st Earl of Carlingford (1603–1677):
  • Mary Crofts (born May 6, 1651, in The Hague). She first married William Sarsfield and had children. She then married William Fanshawe and also had children with him.

See also

• English royal mistress