Saint Albans, Charles Beauclerk, 1st duke of, Baron Heddington, earl of Burford

▪ son of Charles II

born May 8, 1670, London, England

died May 10, 1726, Bath, Somerset

      illegitimate son of Charles II, the elder of two illegitimate sons born to Nell Gwyn (Gwyn, Nell), an English actress.

      Charles Beauclerk was created Baron Heddington and earl of Burford in 1676 and duke of St. Albans in 1684. The latter creation took place shortly after the death of Henry Jermyn, the earl of St. Albans. He served as a colonel in the regiment of horse of Queen Anne of Denmark and served in the imperial army of Leopold I, being present at the siege of Belgrade in 1688. After the battle of Landen in 1693, William III made him captain of the gentlemen pensioners and, four years later, lord of the bedchamber (1697–1702). Granted the position of ambassador extraordinary to Louis XIV on the occasion of the marriage of the duke of Burgundy, he was reported to have made a very bad impression, failing to make presents to the “introducers,” borrowing money, and leaving unpaid bills. His Whig leanings prevented his advancement under Anne, but he was restored to favour at the accession of George I. St. Albans was buried in Westminster Abbey. His wife Diana, daughter and heiress of Aubrey de Vere, last earl of Oxford, was a well-known beauty and served as lady of the bedchamber to Caroline, princess of Wales.

* * *