Ralph Montagu, 1st Duke of Montagu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ralph Montagu |
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| Reign | 1705–1709 |
| Successor | John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Wriothesley Elizabeth Monck, Duchess of Albemarle |
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| John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu Anne Montagu |
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| Noble family | Montagu |
| Father | Edward Montagu, 2nd Baron Montagu of Boughton |
| Mother | Anne Winwood |
| Born | 24 December 1638 |
| Died | 9 March 1709 |
Ralph Montagu, 1st Duke of Montagu (born December 24, 1638 – died March 9, 1709) was an important figure in English history. He was a courtier (someone who attended the royal court), a diplomat (someone who represents their country in other nations), a politician (involved in government), and a peer (a member of the nobility). He rose to become a Duke, a very high rank in the British nobility.
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Ralph Montagu's Family History
Ralph Montagu was the second son of Edward Montagu, who was the 2nd Baron Montagu of Boughton. His mother was Anne Winwood, whose father, Ralph Winwood, was a Secretary of State for England. The Montagu family was quite famous, with several members receiving noble titles in the 1600s.
The Montagu family had a long history. An ancestor, Sir Edward Montagu, was a top judge during the time of King Henry VIII. His grandsons included the 1st Earl of Manchester and the 1st Baron Montagu of Boughton. This 1st Baron was even sent to the Tower of London because he supported King Charles I during a difficult time.
Ralph's father, Edward, the 2nd Baron, actually sided with the Parliament during the English Civil War. He was one of the lords who took King Charles I from Newark-on-Trent to Holmby House in 1647. Edward had two sons: Edward and Ralph.
Ralph Montagu's Exciting Career
Ralph's older brother, Edward, worked for Queen Catherine, who was the wife of King Charles II. He was the Queen's Master of the Horse, a role that involved managing her horses and stables. However, he was dismissed from this job.
In 1665, Queen Catherine quickly appointed Ralph, the younger brother, to the same position. Ralph soon became known for his charm and good manners at King Charles II's court. He played a key role in important talks where King Louis XIV of France paid England to stay neutral or support France in a war against the Netherlands. Ralph also served as the Master of the Great Wardrobe, managing royal clothes and supplies, from 1671 to 1678 and again from 1689 until his death.
Ralph Montagu sometimes had disagreements with powerful people, like Danby and the Duchess of Cleveland. In 1678, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Northampton. He wanted to cause trouble for Danby, a powerful minister. Ralph showed letters that made Danby look bad. However, Parliament was dissolved, and Ralph was in danger of being arrested, so he tried to escape to France.
Even though his escape failed, he continued to work against the government. He supported the idea of preventing the Duke of York (who later became King James II) from becoming king. Instead, he wanted the Duke of Monmouth to be the next ruler. Ralph was re-elected as an MP for Huntingdonshire in 1679, and again for Northampton in 1679 and 1681. Being an MP gave him special protection, keeping him safe. When his older brother passed away before their father, Ralph became the Baron Montagu of Boughton after his father's death in 1684.
Despite his past actions against the crown, Ralph Montagu managed to gain the favor of King James II when he became king. But this didn't stop Ralph from supporting William of Orange, who later became King William III. When William took the English throne in 1689, he made Ralph a Viscount Monthermer and an Earl of Montagu.
Ralph Montagu was also known for being very good at managing his money and gaining wealth. In 1673, he married Lady Elizabeth Wriothesley. She was a wealthy widow and brought a large fortune to their marriage. After her death in 1690, he married again to an even wealthier woman, Lady Elizabeth Cavendish. She was the daughter of the 2nd Duke of Newcastle and was also a widow.
Ralph Montagu's position became even stronger in 1705. His son and heir married Mary, the daughter of the famous John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. In the same year, Ralph was given the highest titles: Duke of Montagu and Marquess of Monthermer.
His home in London, called Montagu House in Bloomsbury, was bought by the government in 1753. This building was used to hold a national collection of old artifacts. Later, the famous British Museum was built on the same site.
Ralph Montagu's Children
Ralph Montagu and his first wife, Elizabeth Wriothesley, had two children:
- John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu (born around 1690 – died July 5, 1749). He inherited his father's titles.
- Anne Montagu, who married Alexander Popham. They had a daughter named Elizabeth, who later married twice.
Ralph Montagu and his second wife, Elizabeth Monck, did not have any known children together. However, through this second marriage, Ralph Montagu gained control of the Lordship of Bowland, a very powerful feudal area in northern England. When Ralph died, this lordship passed to John, his son from his first marriage.
Named After Him
A large battleship in the Royal Navy, called HMS Montagu, was named in his honor.
