Rachel Russell, Lady Russell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rachel, Lady Russell
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Lady Russell, Stipple engraving by Henry Hoppner Meyer
|
|
| Born | c. 1636 Titchfield |
| Died | 29 September 1723 (aged 86–87) Southampton House, Bloomsbury, London |
| Noble family | Wriothesley |
| Spouse(s) | Francis, Lord Vaughan William, Lord Russell |
| Issue | Anne Russell Rachel Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire Catherine Russell Wriothesley Russell, 2nd Duke of Bedford |
| Father | Thomas Wriothesley, 4th Earl of Southampton |
| Mother | Rachel de Massue |
Rachel, Lady Russell (born Rachel Wriothesley; around 1636 – 29 September 1723) was an important English noblewoman. She was also an heiress and a writer. Her second husband was William, Lord Russell. He was involved in a political event called the Rye House Plot and sadly lost his life. Many of the letters she wrote to her husband and other important people were published in 1773.
Contents
Rachel Russell: A Brave English Noblewoman
Lady Rachel was born around 1636 in Titchfield, Hampshire. She was the second daughter of Thomas Wriothesley, 4th Earl of Southampton. Her mother was Rachel de Massue.
Rachel grew up in a very religious home. She remained a strong follower of the Church of England throughout her life. As a young woman, people said she was very elegant, beautiful, and had lovely manners.
Her Marriages and Children
In 1653, Lady Rachel married her first husband, Francis Vaughan, Lord Vaughan. He was the oldest son of Richard Vaughan, 2nd Earl of Carbery. After they married, she moved to Golden Grove in Carmarthen, Wales.
In 1655, she had a child who sadly died soon after birth. Lady Rachel became a widow in 1667. This was the same year her father passed away. She and her two sisters inherited all of her father's property.
In 1669, Lady Rachel married her second husband, William Russell, Lord Russell. He was three years younger than her. They were married on August 20, 1669. Their marriage was very happy. Lord Russell admired his wife's intelligence, good character, and loving nature.
Together, they had four children:
- Anne Russell (born December 13, 1671 – died April 1672)
- Rachel Russell (born January 1674 – died December 28, 1725). She married William Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Devonshire and had ten children.
- Catherine Russell (born August 23, 1676 – died October 30, 1711). She married John Manners, 2nd Duke of Rutland and had nine children.
- Wriothesley Russell, 2nd Duke of Bedford (born November 1, 1680 – died May 26, 1711). He married Elizabeth Howland and had six children.
The Rye House Plot Explained
In 1683, Lord Russell was linked to the Rye House Plot. This was a secret plan to attack King Charles II and his brother, James, Duke of York. The goal was to stop a Catholic king from taking the throne.
The plot was discovered by the government. Lord Russell was accused of being part of a plan to cause an uprising. He was sent to the Tower of London on June 26, 1683. He was later found guilty of treason, even though the evidence against him was mostly based on rumors.
Lady Russell helped her husband during his trial. After he was sentenced to death, she worked very hard to save his life. Her father-in-law even offered a large sum of money for a pardon. Lady Russell herself begged the King to spare her husband, but the King refused.
The day before his execution, Lady Russell visited her husband in the Tower. They said goodbye for the last time. On July 21, 1683, Lord Russell was beheaded at Lincoln's Inn Fields.
Later, the unfair judgment against her husband was officially overturned by Parliament. This happened during the rule of William III and Mary II.
Her Lasting Legacy
Throughout her long life, Lady Russell loved writing letters and was also an author. Her many letters were published in 1773. They were mostly written to her husband, but also to other important people like John Tillotson, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Her letters were very well written. They give us a personal look into what daily life was like in England during the 1600s. Besides letters, Rachel also wrote diaries, essays, and a book of religious questions called a catechism. She also wrote Instructions for Children.
Seven engraved pictures of Rachel Wriothesley are displayed in the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Lady Russell passed away at Southampton House in Bloomsbury, London, on September 29, 1723. She was about 87 years old. This date was also her husband's birthday. Lady Russell was buried next to her husband on October 8, 1723. Their burial place is in the Bedford Chapel at the Parish Church of Chenies, Buckinghamshire.
See also
