Mary Capel, Countess of Essex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Capel
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Portrait of Lady Mary Bentinck by Godfrey Kneller, 1692
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| Born | Mary Bentinck 1679 |
| Died | 26 August 1726 (aged 46–47) |
| Title | Countess of Essex |
| Tenure | 1698–1714 |
| Known for | Hampton Court Beauties |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) | Algernon Capell, 2nd Earl of Essex Sir Conyers Darcy |
| Issue | 3, including William |
| Parents | William Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland Anne Villiers |
Mary Capel, Countess of Essex (born Lady Mary Bentinck in 1679), was an important lady from a long time ago. She was the daughter of William Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland. He was a Dutch and English nobleman and a close friend of William, Prince of Orange, who later became King William III of England. Mary's mother was Anne Villiers.
Mary was also one of the "Hampton Court Beauties." These were famous ladies painted by a well-known artist, Sir Godfrey Kneller, for Queen Mary II.
Contents
Mary's Family Background
Lady Mary's family had many important connections. Her mother's parents were Sir Edward Villiers and Lady Frances Howard. Lady Frances was the daughter of the 2nd Earl of Suffolk.
Through her grandfather, Sir Edward Villiers, Mary was related to Sir Oliver St. John and Margaret Beauchamp. Margaret Beauchamp was the mother of Lady Margaret Beaufort, a very important figure in English history.
Mary's father's parents were Bernard Bentinck, 6th Baron Bentinck of the Netherlands, and Anne van Bloemendale. The Bentinck family was an old and noble family from the Netherlands.
Mary's Marriages and Children
Lady Mary Capel was married two times during her life.
First Marriage: Algernon Capel
On February 28, 1692, Mary married Lieutenant-General Algernon Capel. He was the 2nd Earl of Essex. They had three children together:
- William Capell (1697–1743): He became the 3rd Earl of Essex. William married twice.
- His first wife was Lady Jane Hyde. They had two daughters.
- His second wife was Lady Elizabeth Russell. Their son, William, later became the 4th Earl of Essex.
- Lady Mary Capel (died 1762): She married Alan Brodrick, 2nd Viscount Midleton. They also had children.
- Lady Elizabeth Capell: She married two times.
- Her first husband was Samuel Molyneux.
- Her second husband was Nathaniel St. André. Elizabeth did not have any children from either marriage.
Second Marriage: Sir Conyers Darcy
On August 2, 1714, after her first husband passed away, Mary married Sir Conyers Darcy. This marriage did not result in any children.
Mary's Titles Over Time
As Mary's life changed, so did her official titles:
- 1679 – February 28, 1698: Lady Mary Bentinck (This was her title from birth until her first marriage).
- February 28, 1698 – January 10, 1710: Mary Capell, Countess of Essex (This was her title after marrying the Earl of Essex).
- January 10, 1710 – August 2, 1714: Mary Capell, Dowager Countess of Essex (This title meant she was the widow of the Earl of Essex).
- August 2, 1714 – August 20, 1726: Lady Mary Darcy (This was her title after her second marriage).
