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Frances Hyde, Countess Of Clarendon

English peeress

Frances Hyde, Countess of Clarendon (née Aylesbury; born August 25, 1617, and baptised on that very day, she departed this mortal coil on August 8, 1667) was an English peeress whose life, though often overshadowed by the formidable figures surrounding her, was nonetheless woven tightly into the intricate tapestry of 17th-century English aristocracy and political power. As the mother of Anne Hyde, a woman who defied convention to marry into the highest echelons of royalty, Frances thereby became the mother-in-law to James II and VII, who would later ascend to the thrones as king of England, Scotland, and Ireland. This singular connection further solidified her place in history, making her the maternal grandmother of two future queens: Mary II and Queen Anne, figures who would shape the destiny of a nation. Her lineage, though not royal, thus provided a critical branch in the tree of the British monarchy, a fact often overlooked but undeniably significant.

Biography

Frances Aylesbury entered the world as the daughter of Sir Thomas Aylesbury, 1st Baronet, a man of considerable standing who served as a Master of Requests and held a keen interest in mathematics and natural philosophy, a testament to the intellectual currents of the time. Her mother was Anne Denman, whose own lineage contributed to Frances's respectable background. Over time, Frances would become the sole heiress to her father's estate, a position that would undoubtedly enhance her prospects in the competitive marriage market of the era. Among her immediate family was her brother, the distinguished translator William Aylesbury, whose scholarly pursuits further underscored the intellectual environment in which Frances was raised. This was a family not merely of landed gentry, but one with a discernible connection to the burgeoning intellectual life of 17th-century England.

On a day that would irrevocably alter the course of her life, July 10, 1634, Frances Aylesbury became the second wife of Edward Hyde. Hyde, a man whose ambition and intellect were as formidable as the political storms he navigated, was then a rising lawyer and politician. Their union marked the beginning of a partnership that would endure through the tumultuous years of the English Civil War, the subsequent Commonwealth, and the eventual Restoration of the monarchy. Edward Hyde's career trajectory was nothing short of meteoric, culminating in his appointment as Lord Chancellor of England, a position he held with immense influence from 1658 to 1667. His service to the crown, particularly during the exile of Charles II, earned him considerable favour. Following the Restoration, his loyalty and statesmanship were duly rewarded: he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Hyde in 1660, and then further distinguished with the title of Earl of Clarendon in 1661. This rise from a relatively modest background to one of the most powerful men in England speaks volumes about his capabilities, and by extension, the steadfast support provided by his wife, Frances.

Together, Frances and Edward Hyde forged a family, producing six children who would, in various capacities, leave their own marks on history, though not all lived to see their full potential:

  • Lady Anne (1637–1671): A figure of considerable controversy and consequence, she married King James II/VII in 1659. Their secret marriage, initially met with scandal and royal disapproval due to Anne's commoner status, eventually gained acceptance. This union was profoundly significant, for it produced a number of children, though many tragically succumbed to the high infant mortality rates of the era. Her offspring included:

    • Charles Stuart, Duke of Cambridge (b. October 22, 1660, d. May 5, 1661), a brief flicker of royal hope extinguished by smallpox.
    • Mary II of England (b. April 30, 1662, d. December 28, 1694), who would later reign jointly with her husband, William III, following the Glorious Revolution.
    • James Stuart, Duke of Cambridge (b. July 12, 1663, d. June 20, 1667), another young life cut short, a stark reminder of the fragility of existence in that age.
    • Anne, Queen of Great Britain (b. February 6, 1664/65, d. August 1, 1714), who would be the last Stuart monarch to rule, presiding over a significant period of British history.
    • Charles Stuart, Duke of Kendal (b. July 4, 1666, d. May 22, 1667), yet another infant duke lost to the common perils of childhood illness.
    • Edgar Stuart, Duke of Cambridge (b. September 14, 1667, d. June 8, 1671), who also failed to reach adulthood.
    • Henrietta Stuart (b. January 13, 1668/69, d. November 15, 1669).
    • Catherine Stuart (b. February 9, 1670/71, d. December 5, 1671). The sheer number of these young deaths paints a grim picture of the realities of even royal childhoods in the 17th century, where survival was far from guaranteed.

  • Hon. Henry, later 2nd Earl of Clarendon (1638–1709): He inherited his father's title and played a notable, though often controversial, role in the politics of the late 17th century, serving as Lord Privy Seal and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

  • Hon. Laurence, later 1st Earl of Rochester (1641–1711): Another prominent son who carved out a distinguished career in politics, rising to become First Lord of the Treasury and a key advisor to both Charles II and James II. His influence was considerable, a testament to the enduring power of the Hyde family.

  • Hon. Edward (1645–1665): His life, like so many others of his siblings, was tragically brief, ending at the young age of twenty.

  • Hon. James (died young): A further casualty of the era's harsh realities, whose life was too short to leave a discernible mark beyond his familial connection.

  • Lady Frances, who eventually married Thomas Keightley in 1701. Keightley was a significant figure in Irish administration, serving as an Irish revenue commissioner and a privy councillor. Their union further extended the family's influence into Irish affairs. They also had issue, including:

    • Catherine Keightley, who continued the lineage by marrying Lucius O'Brien, and in turn, had issue, ensuring the continuation of these intertwined family histories.

Character

Edward Hyde, in his extensive and self-serving memoirs, wrote of his wife in terms that were, to put it mildly, somewhat guarded. One might even describe them as perfunctory, a common enough failing for men of his stature, who often found it easier to articulate political machinations than the nuances of domestic affection. Yet, the surviving personal correspondence between Frances and Edward tells a far more compelling story, suggesting a marriage that was not merely a convenient alliance, but one characterized by genuine closeness and profound affection. This bond proved strong enough to withstand the immense strains of their era, including a brutal four-year separation during the height of the English Civil War—a period of unimaginable anxiety and uncertainty for any family, let alone one so deeply entwined with the Royalist cause.

Intriguingly, Edward Hyde maintained an unusually intimate friendship with Anne Villiers, Countess of Morton, a cousin of his first wife, Anne Ayliffe. This relationship, while "intimate," never seems to have genuinely threatened the happiness or stability of his second marriage to Frances. Perhaps Frances possessed a pragmatism born of her era, or perhaps her confidence in their bond was unshakable. In any case, this particular friendship, whatever its precise nature, eventually concluded in a bitter quarrel, some time before Lady Morton's death in 1654, effectively removing any potential shadow it might have cast.

The death of Frances after a mercifully short illness in August 1667 was undoubtedly a devastating blow to her husband. This personal tragedy struck at an exceptionally perilous moment for Edward Hyde, who was then fighting desperately to stave off the existential threat of impeachment by Parliament. Her loss, therefore, was not merely emotional but occurred at a time when he needed steadfast support more than ever, compounding his political vulnerability with profound personal grief. In his will, drafted in 1666, barely a year before her passing, his words offered a rare glimpse into the depth of his esteem and affection, referring to Frances as "my dearly beloved wife who hath accompanied and assisted me in all my distress with greater resignation and courage and in all respects deserved much more from me than I can repay to her." Such an effusive declaration, coming from a man not known for excessive sentiment in public records, speaks volumes about the unwavering strength and character Frances displayed throughout their life together.

Further tribute to her character came from the diplomat Henry Coventry, a man of considerable political acumen then engaged in the delicate and crucial peace negotiations at Breda. Upon receiving news of Frances's serious illness, Coventry candidly wrote that it rendered him "very unfit for the business," a remarkable admission for a diplomat engaged in high-stakes international affairs. And upon hearing of her death, he penned a heartfelt condolence to Clarendon, stating, "I do from the bottom of my heart condole with you." These expressions from a seasoned statesman, whose focus would typically be solely on matters of state, underscore the genuine respect and affection Frances Hyde commanded from those who knew her. She was, it appears, a woman whose quiet strength and unwavering loyalty left an indelible impression on those within her orbit.

Burial

Frances Hyde, Countess of Clarendon, passed away at the age of 49, a relatively young age even for the 17th century, yet one that allowed her to witness the rise of her family to extraordinary prominence. She was laid to rest with appropriate dignity and ceremony within the Hyde Vault in the hallowed grounds of Westminster Abbey, a final resting place reserved for the most distinguished figures of English history. The meticulous register from 1661 formally records her entry: "Frances, daughter and sole heiress of Sir Thomas Aylesbury, Bart., by Anne his wife, and second wife of Sir Edward Hyde, first Earl of Clarendon." This precise inscription not only confirms her identity and lineage but also solidifies her place within the annals of the British aristocracy. Her esteemed husband, Edward Hyde, would survive her by another 13 arduous years, living through political exile and disgrace, before finally being reunited with her in the same vault. Her mother, Anne Denman, also shares this final resting place in the Hyde vault, further cementing the family's enduring legacy within one of England's most sacred institutions.

In fiction

Despite her significant, albeit often background, role in shaping royal lineage, Frances Hyde has found her way into the tapestry of historical fiction, a testament to the enduring fascination with the lives of those who orbited power. She appears as a character in The Piccadilly Plot, the seventh installment in the popular Thomas Chaloner mystery novels penned by Susanna Gregory, offering readers a fictionalized glimpse into her world through the lens of historical intrigue. Furthermore, her name resonates in The King's Evil by Andrew Taylor, a novel published by Harper Collins in 2019, where she is mentioned, contributing to the rich historical context of the narrative. These literary appearances ensure that Frances Hyde, Countess of Clarendon, continues to exist not only in historical records but also in the imaginative landscape of modern storytelling.