Frances Seymour, Duchess of Somerset was an English noblewoman who lived during the reigns of Elizabeth I, James I, Charles I and Charles II. Her father was Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, Elizabe
Portrait by Anthony van Dyck
William Seymour, Marquess of Hertford, later 2nd Duke of Somerset (1588–1660), portrait attributed to Gilbert Jackson (c. 1595/1600–post-1648), private collection
Memorial in Great Bedwyn church
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex was an English nobleman and army officer who was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I.
Frances Seymour, Duchess of Somerset
…September 1599 – 24 April 1674) was an English noblewoman who lived during the reigns of Elizabeth I, James I, Charles I and Charles II. Her father was Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, Elizabeth I's favourite who was executed for treason in 1601. She was the second wife of William Seymour, 2nd Duke of Somerset, and the mother of his…
Portrait after Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, c. 1596
Essex's godfather and stepfather, the 1st Earl of Leicester, backed him at court.
Essex was a royal favourite of Elizabeth I, Queen of England.
Melancholy youth representing the Earl of Essex, c.1588, miniature by Nicholas Hilliard