Elizabeth Conyngham, Marchioness Conyngham
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Conyngham Marchioness Conyngham (31 July 1769 – 11 October 1861), was an English
courtier
and noblewoman, and the last mistress of George IV of the United Kingdom
.
, an Irish peer
. Despite her beauty, she was considered "vulgar" by the aristocratic society, on account of her common background. However, she attracted lovers and admirers, including the Tsarevitch of Russia, the future Nicholas I
.
, Elizabeth decided as early as 1806 to become a mistress of the Prince of Wales
, the future George IV
. She probably became his lover in 1819, when the Prince was Prince Regent
, but finally supplanted her predecessor, Isabella Seymour-Conway, Marchioness of Hertford after he became king in 1820. He became besotted with her, constantly "kissing her hand with a look of most devoted submission", and while his wife, Queen Caroline
, was on her divorce "trial", the king could not be seen with Lady Conyngham, and was consequently "bored and lonely". During the Coronation
, George was constantly seen "nodding and winking" at her.
Lady Conyngham's liaison with the King benefited her family. Her husband was raised as a Marquess
in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
, and sworn to the Privy Council
, in the Coronation honours of 1821. He was also given several other offices, including Lord Steward of the Household
and the Lieutenantcy of Windsor Castle
. Her second son was Master of the Robes
and First Groom of the Chamber.
The Marchioness had Whiggish sympathies, but was not concerned with political ambition; she concentrated on furthering the financial position of her family. However, when she requested that her son's tutor be made Canon
of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, the Prime Minister
, Lord Liverpool
threatened to resign. Arguments with Lady Castlereagh further worsened the relationship between the King and his government. She also disliked the Keeper of the Privy Purse
, Benjamin Bloomfield
, and was successful in having him removed in 1822. His successor, William Knighton
, was a close friend of the King, who successfully cleared all his debts later in his reign.
to Paris
. Although the King had bequeathed her all his plate and jewels, she refused the entire legacy. The Marquess broke his staff of office at George's funeral, and was never to hold another one in the next reign.
Lady Conyngham lived until 1861, dying near Canterbury
at the age of 92. Although excluded from court during the reigns of William IV
and Queen Victoria
, her son, Francis Conyngham, 2nd Marquess Conyngham
, was Lord Chamberlain
to William, and, along with the Archbishop of Canterbury
, brought the news of William's death to Princess Victoria, and first addressed her Your Majesty
. The 2nd Marquess's daughter, Jane Churchill, was later a Lady of the Bedchamber
to Queen Victoria and one of her closest friends.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
courtier
Courtier
A courtier is a person who is often in attendance at the court of a king or other royal personage. Historically the court was the centre of government as well as the residence of the monarch, and social and political life were often completely mixed together...
and noblewoman, and the last mistress of George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
.
Early life
She was born in 1769. Her father was Joseph Denison, who had made a fortune in banking. Her mother was Elizabeth Butler. On 5 July 1794, Elizabeth married Henry Conyngham, Viscount ConynghamHenry Conyngham, 1st Marquess Conyngham
Henry Conyngham, 1st Marquess Conyngham KP, GCH, PC, FSA , known as The Lord Conyngham between 1787 and 1789, as The Viscount Conyngham between 1789 and 1797 and as The Earl Conyngham between 1797 and 1815, was an Anglo-Irish courtier and politician of the Regency period...
, an Irish peer
Peerage of Ireland
The Peerage of Ireland is the term used for those titles of nobility created by the English and later British monarchs of Ireland in their capacity as Lord or King of Ireland. The creation of such titles came to an end in the 19th century. The ranks of the Irish peerage are Duke, Marquess, Earl,...
. Despite her beauty, she was considered "vulgar" by the aristocratic society, on account of her common background. However, she attracted lovers and admirers, including the Tsarevitch of Russia, the future Nicholas I
Nicholas I of Russia
Nicholas I , was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its historical zenith spanning over 20 million square kilometers...
.
Royal mistress
The Conynghams were not well-connected, and according to the Duke of WellingtonArthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
, Elizabeth decided as early as 1806 to become a mistress of the Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
, the future George IV
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
. She probably became his lover in 1819, when the Prince was Prince Regent
Prince Regent
A prince regent is a prince who rules a monarchy as regent instead of a monarch, e.g., due to the Sovereign's incapacity or absence ....
, but finally supplanted her predecessor, Isabella Seymour-Conway, Marchioness of Hertford after he became king in 1820. He became besotted with her, constantly "kissing her hand with a look of most devoted submission", and while his wife, Queen Caroline
Caroline of Brunswick
Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was the Queen consort of King George IV of the United Kingdom from 29 January 1820 until her death...
, was on her divorce "trial", the king could not be seen with Lady Conyngham, and was consequently "bored and lonely". During the Coronation
Coronation of the British monarch
The coronation of the British monarch is a ceremony in which the monarch of the United Kingdom is formally crowned and invested with regalia...
, George was constantly seen "nodding and winking" at her.
Lady Conyngham's liaison with the King benefited her family. Her husband was raised as a Marquess
Marquess
A marquess or marquis is a nobleman of hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies. The term is also used to translate equivalent oriental styles, as in imperial China, Japan, and Vietnam...
in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
Peerage of the United Kingdom
The Peerage of the United Kingdom comprises most peerages created in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland after the Act of Union in 1801, when it replaced the Peerage of Great Britain...
, and sworn to the Privy Council
Privy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
, in the Coronation honours of 1821. He was also given several other offices, including Lord Steward of the Household
Royal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
and the Lieutenantcy of Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
. Her second son was Master of the Robes
Master of the Robes
The Master of the Robes was an office in the British Royal Household. He was responsible for the King's robes at times such as a coronation, the annual Order of the Garter service and the State Opening of Parliament. Since the reign of King Edward VII, the office has only been filled for coronations...
and First Groom of the Chamber.
The Marchioness had Whiggish sympathies, but was not concerned with political ambition; she concentrated on furthering the financial position of her family. However, when she requested that her son's tutor be made Canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
, Lord Liverpool
Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool
Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool KG PC was a British politician and the longest-serving Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since the Union with Ireland in 1801. He was 42 years old when he became premier in 1812 which made him younger than all of his successors to date...
threatened to resign. Arguments with Lady Castlereagh further worsened the relationship between the King and his government. She also disliked the Keeper of the Privy Purse
Keeper of the Privy Purse
The Keeper of the Privy Purse and Treasurer to the King/Queen is responsible for the financial management of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom....
, Benjamin Bloomfield
Benjamin Bloomfield, 1st Baron Bloomfield
Lieutenant-General Benjamin Bloomfield, 1st Baron Bloomfield GCB GCH was Private Secretary to the Sovereign 1817–1822....
, and was successful in having him removed in 1822. His successor, William Knighton
William Knighton
Sir William Knighton, 1st Baronet GCH was Private Secretary to the Sovereign, George IV 1822–1830.He was born in 1776, and studied under his uncle, Dr. Bredall, in Tavistock, Devon. He spent two years at Guys Hospital, London, and received a diploma from the University of St Andrews in 1797...
, was a close friend of the King, who successfully cleared all his debts later in his reign.
Later life
As his life progressed, the King became dependent on Lady Conyngham on account of his temper and poor health. However weary she became of his company, his affection for her never ceased. The relationship came to an end with George's sudden death in 1830; she immediately moved from Windsor CastleWindsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Although the King had bequeathed her all his plate and jewels, she refused the entire legacy. The Marquess broke his staff of office at George's funeral, and was never to hold another one in the next reign.
Lady Conyngham lived until 1861, dying near Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
at the age of 92. Although excluded from court during the reigns of William IV
William IV of the United Kingdom
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
and Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
, her son, Francis Conyngham, 2nd Marquess Conyngham
Francis Conyngham, 2nd Marquess Conyngham
General Francis Nathaniel Conyngham, 2nd Marquess Conyngham KP, GCH, PC , styled Lord Francis Conyngham between 1816 and 1824 and Earl of Mount Charles between 1824 and 1832, was a British soldier, courtier and politician.-Background and education:Born in Dublin, Conyngham was the second son of...
, was Lord Chamberlain
Lord Chamberlain
The Lord Chamberlain or Lord Chamberlain of the Household is one of the chief officers of the Royal Household in the United Kingdom and is to be distinguished from the Lord Great Chamberlain, one of the Great Officers of State....
to William, and, along with the Archbishop of Canterbury
William Howley
William Howley was a clergyman in the Church of England. He served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1828 to 1848.-Early Life, education, and interests:...
, brought the news of William's death to Princess Victoria, and first addressed her Your Majesty
Majesty
Majesty is an English word derived ultimately from the Latin maiestas, meaning "greatness".- Origin :Originally, during the Roman republic, the word maiestas was the legal term for the supreme status and dignity of the state, to be respected above everything else...
. The 2nd Marquess's daughter, Jane Churchill, was later a Lady of the Bedchamber
Lady of the Bedchamber
This is an incomplete list of those who have served as Lady of the Bedchamber in the British Royal Household...
to Queen Victoria and one of her closest friends.
Titles and styles
- circa 1769 – 5 July 1794: Miss Elizabeth Denison
- 5 July 1794 – 27 December 1797: The Rt Hon. The Viscountess Conyngham of Mount Charles
- 27 December 1797 – 15 January 1816: The Rt Hon. The Countess Conyngham
- 15 January 1816 – 28 December 1832: The Most Hon. The Marchioness Conyngham
- 28 December 1832 – 11 October 1861: The Most Hon. The Dowager Marchioness Conyngham