Anyway, I am feeling rather invested in the royal court as of late, since I recently binge watched Netflix's new show, The Crown. I now cannot get enough of the royal family. Although I've been enamored with 20th century royalty, alas I cannot write about Queen Elizabeth II or Prince Philip for they are not a part of my time frame. So, as I must continue to talk about 17th century court officers, I would like to introduce all of you to someone who resided in both James II and Mary, Duchess of York's court, Henry Mordaunt, second Earl of Peterborough.
Henry Mordaunt, second Earl of Peterborough was baptized at St. Ann Blackfriars, London on October 18, 1623. Unfortunately, not much is said about Mordaunt's early life. His father, John Mordaunt, first Earl of Peterborough, made quite a reputation for himself, for he had a rocky relationship with Charles I and there were suspicions of his religious background. After his death by consumption in 1643, Henry criticized him for "a humour he had, which was averse to constraint, and indulgent to all his passions".
Henry was educated at Eton College in 1635 and was sent to France before the outbreak of the English Civil War to be kept safe. His tutor, Thomas Raymond, described him as a "noble and hopeful...cavalier". In 1642 he returned to England to serve in the parliamentary army before abandoning the king and joining the Cavaliers. He earned command of a regiment of horse but was wounded in the arm and thigh and had his horse shot under him in the battle of Newbury in September, 1643. In December, 1644 he married Lady Penelope O'Brien, with whom he had two daughters. Though he compounded for his estate in 1645, a 1647 interview with the captive Charles I, who had been charged with high treason by this time, inspired him vouch for the king's side once again. This prompted him to join with George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, and the Earl of Holland in an uprising to seize Reigate in July, 1648. This failed however, and although he escaped capture, he was forced to compound a second time and spent the 1650s trying to pay off his debts for his participation in the uprising.
After the Restoration of Charles II, Henry was granted the governorship of Tangier, a city in Morocco. He took possession of the city in January 1662 and although he successfully fortified the town's harbor, he complained of struggles against Berbers and disloyal subordinates. He was eventually recalled in December of that same year and was compensated with a 1000 pound pension, though that was rarely paid. Despite this, Henry's growing friendship with James, Duke of York allowed him better prospects. Thanks to James's patronage, in 1665 he served as a volunteer aboard the Unicorn in the Second Anglo-Dutch War and commanded a troop in York's regiment of horse in 1678. In 1666 he had become Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire which he held until 1688. His service as a courtier and a political ally strengthened his relationship with the James.
In 1673, Charles II appointed him as ambassador-extraordinary, granting him the duty to arrange James's second marriage to Princess Mary of Modena. Henry stood as James's proxy in the royal wedding in September 1673 and escorted Duchess Mary back to England where he would take his seat as a privy councillor in 1674. Because of his close relations with James, he was accused of playing a role in the Popish Plot, and was dropped from the council in 1679. He and his wife were forced to take shelter in Brussels for a time, though he returned to England by 1680 and was passionate in his work to ensure that James would be able to secure the throne. He was restored to council in February 1683.
As a result of his close relationship with James, Henry carried the scepter at James II's coronation and the king awarded him the Garter in June 1685, which is the highest order of chivalry. He was appointed as groom of the stole and first gentleman of the bedchamber and in 1686 he became Queen Mary's high steward and chief bailiff. In 1687 he converted to Catholicism, although he lived amidst a mostly Protestant England. He assisted James in purging the bench and lieutenancy during his reign and even witnessed the birth of the prince of Wales in June 1688. During the Revolution of 1688, Henry fell along with his friend the king. His home was sacked by a mob and he was captured in December when he attempted to flee the kingdom.
After his capture, Henry was imprisoned in the Tower of London for two years, during which time he was impeached of high treason by the Commons. He rejoined the established Church of England in 1692, but his loyalties would always lie with James, giving him the title of Jacobite. In April he asked permission to visit the exiled king but was confined to his house in 1696 for suspicion of involvement in the assassination plot against William III. His health declined, apparently from eating too many oysters, and he eventually died on June 19 1697. As he only had two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, his title passed on to his nephew, Charles Mordaunt, third Earl of Peterborough.
I would normally say that Henry led a rather ordinary aristocratic life. He inherited titles, fought in battles, and retained positions within the court system. Yet, Henry had something unique about him and that was his relationship with James II. I gather this must have been a very close friendship, for Henry even took part in the coronation and was present for the birth of James's son. His loyalty to James even outstripped his religious leanings, as he eventually converted to Catholicism. This must have been a brave move, for Protestantism ruled the majority of the English population during this time. He even wanted to visit James after his abdication, which I figure must have been a brave move as well since anti-Catholicism was rampant in England during this time and James was not looked kindly upon by many in the English government. I find Henry's dedication fascinating, especially since it can only be understood through his actions with religion and his work. I have nothing that tells me in his own words how close Henry was to James. As historians must often do, I can only interpret his actions and make assumptions. Though these assumptions might be wrong sometimes, I feel that making connections like this is important. Not only does it help one to understand the political environment during certain time periods, but it can also give a personality to historical people. Henry's friendship with James II was a strong one, and it effected the rest Henry's life. To read about a friendship such as this not only helps me understand Henry's character, but it humanizes him, and that, I believe, is one of the most important things one can do in history.
Victor Stater, ‘Mordaunt, Henry, second earl of Peterborough (bap. 1623, d. 1697)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/19163, accessed 6 Nov 2016]
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