Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Northumberland

Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Northumberland (née Wriothesley; 1646 – 19 September 1690), was a British courtier. She was one of the Windsor Beauties, painted by Sir Peter Lely.

Elizabeth Wriothesley, portrait by Sir Peter Lely, for the Windsor Beauties series at Hampton Court
Elizabeth Wriothesley, portrait by Sir Peter Lely, private collection
Lady Elizabeth Wriothesley, portrait c.1662/1663 by Sir Peter Lely, collection of the National Trust, Petworth House

Origins

She was a daughter of Thomas Wriothesley, 4th Earl of Southampton (1607-1667) by his wife Lady Elizabeth Leigh, daughter of Francis Leigh, 1st Earl of Chichester.[1]

Marriages and progeny

She married twice:

In the course of her marriage to Montagu, he inherited his father's barony and later acquired the title "Earl Montagu", making Elizabeth once more a countess. However, it was only after her death that he was created 1st Duke of Montagu.[3]

Windsor Beauty

Elizabeth was an important patron of the artist Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680), who painted her several times. Her portraits were among the Windsor Beauties at Hampton Court and among the series of beautiful women portraits, ordered by Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany.[4]

References

  1. "Person Page". thepeerage.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  2. Leslie Stephen (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. 38. p. 263. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  3. "Montagu, Ralph" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
  4. "Catalogue note for Portrait of Lady Wriothesley by Peter Lely". Retrieved 19 April 2020.
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