Maria, Lady Walpole
Encyclopedia
Maria, Lady Walpole (1702 – 4 June 1738) was the second wife of British politician and Prime Minister
Robert Walpole
from before 3 March 1738 until her death in childbirth (miscarriage) a few months later. She was buried on the Walpole estate at Houghton Hall
in Norfolk
, England.
Lady Walpole was the only known daughter of Thomas Skerret, a wealthy London merchant. On her marriage to Walpole in 1738 she paid a dowry
of £30,000.
Walpole had become estranged from his first wife Catherine and took a series of mistresses. However, the beautiful, charming, witty and accomplished Maria Skerritt was a long term companion (1723-1738) as they lived together in both Richmond and Houghton Hall
in Norfolk while Walpole's first wife was still alive. Miss Skerritt was received everywhere, and moved in fashionable society. She was even alluded to as Polly in The Beggar's Opera
written in 1728 by John Gay
where 'Macheath' was Walpole.
Lady Walpole was also often mentioned in the letters of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu as 'Molly'. "I see every body but converse with nobody but 'des amies choisses'; in the first rank of these are Lady Stafford and dear Molly Skerritt, both of whom have now the additional merit of being old acquaintances, and never having given me any reason to complain of either of 'em."
Walpole was created Earl of Orford
after he retired from the premiership in 1742, and he used his influence with King George II
to have his illegitimate daughter by Lady Walpole, Maria, granted the rank and precedence of an earl’s daughter, so that she became ‘Lady Maria Walpole’. She was born between 1723 and 1734 and later married Colonel Charles Churchill
of Chalfont
, with whom she had two daughters.
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Robert Walpole
Robert Walpole
Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, KG, KB, PC , known before 1742 as Sir Robert Walpole, was a British statesman who is generally regarded as having been the first Prime Minister of Great Britain....
from before 3 March 1738 until her death in childbirth (miscarriage) a few months later. She was buried on the Walpole estate at Houghton Hall
Houghton Hall
Houghton Hall is a country house in Norfolk, England. It was built for the de facto first British Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, and it is a key building in the history of Palladian architecture in England...
in Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, England.
Lady Walpole was the only known daughter of Thomas Skerret, a wealthy London merchant. On her marriage to Walpole in 1738 she paid a dowry
Dowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
of £30,000.
Walpole had become estranged from his first wife Catherine and took a series of mistresses. However, the beautiful, charming, witty and accomplished Maria Skerritt was a long term companion (1723-1738) as they lived together in both Richmond and Houghton Hall
Houghton Hall
Houghton Hall is a country house in Norfolk, England. It was built for the de facto first British Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, and it is a key building in the history of Palladian architecture in England...
in Norfolk while Walpole's first wife was still alive. Miss Skerritt was received everywhere, and moved in fashionable society. She was even alluded to as Polly in The Beggar's Opera
The Beggar's Opera
The Beggar's Opera is a ballad opera in three acts written in 1728 by John Gay with music arranged by Johann Christoph Pepusch. It is one of the watershed plays in Augustan drama and is the only example of the once thriving genre of satirical ballad opera to remain popular today...
written in 1728 by John Gay
John Gay
John Gay was an English poet and dramatist and member of the Scriblerus Club. He is best remembered for The Beggar's Opera , set to music by Johann Christoph Pepusch...
where 'Macheath' was Walpole.
Lady Walpole was also often mentioned in the letters of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu as 'Molly'. "I see every body but converse with nobody but 'des amies choisses'; in the first rank of these are Lady Stafford and dear Molly Skerritt, both of whom have now the additional merit of being old acquaintances, and never having given me any reason to complain of either of 'em."
Walpole was created Earl of Orford
Earl of Orford
Earl of Orford is a title that has been created three times. The first creation came in the Peerage of England in 1697 in favour of the naval commander Edward Russell, who served three times as First Lord of the Admiralty. He was created Baron Shingay and Viscount Barfleur at the same time...
after he retired from the premiership in 1742, and he used his influence with King George II
George II of Great Britain
George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
to have his illegitimate daughter by Lady Walpole, Maria, granted the rank and precedence of an earl’s daughter, so that she became ‘Lady Maria Walpole’. She was born between 1723 and 1734 and later married Colonel Charles Churchill
Charles Churchill (of Chalfont)
Charles Churchill was the only son of Lieutenant-General Charles Churchill by the actress Anne Oldfield. His grandfather, also Charles Churchill, was a British army officer and brother of the 1st Duke of Marlborough....
of Chalfont
Chalfont
The name Chalfont could refer to:* Chalfont St Giles, in Buckinghamshire, England* Chalfont St Peter, in Buckinghamshire, England* Chalfont Common, in Buckinghamshire, England* Little Chalfont, in Buckinghamshire, England...
, with whom she had two daughters.
Citations
- Charles Mosley, editor, Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes (Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003), volume 3, page 4059.