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Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester

1657–1717

Born
21 Dec 1657
Country of birth
Kingdom of Great Britain, today United Kingdom
Died
1717, Bath
facts
11
sources
3
images and files
0

Facts and their sources

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  • Birth21 Dec 1657ProbableDisputed1 competing claim1 source
  • Death1717, BathProbableDisputed1 competing claim1 source
  • ParentSir Charles Sedley, 5th BaronetConfirmed1 source
  • ParentLady Catharine SavageConfirmed1 source
  • Titlemember of the House of LordsConfirmed1 source

A life in time

  1. Born

    Birth

  2. Child born: Catherine Sheffield, Duchess of Buckingham and Normanby

    Birth

  3. Child born: James Darnley

    Birth

  4. Died · Bath

    Death, Bath

What was it like?

The world around 1657: who ruled, who else was alive, how people lived. This is general history, not a record about the family, and every item shows where it comes from.

Ordinary people aimed to own at least two complete outfits, saving the better set for Sundays and holidays to demonstrate respectability.

Known for

Catherine Colyear, suo jure Countess of Dorchester and Countess of Portmore, was an English noble and courtier. She was the mistress of King James II of England both before and after he came to the throne. Catherine was noted not for beauty but for her celebrated wittiness and sharp tongue.

Titles held

  • member of the House of Lords

During their lifetime

  1. 1707

    Act of Union 1707

    The parliaments of England and Scotland joined together to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

  2. 1715

    The Riot Act 1715

    The Riot Act was passed, allowing authorities to disperse groups of 12 or more people gathered for unlawful purposes.

Family

Parents

Children

Ancestors and children

Open the full tree

Four generations back to the right, the children to the left. The number beside a child counts the generations of descendants known after them.