On the death of King Charles I., the care of the younger children, the Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Gloucester, devolved on the Countess, and we cannot doubt her guardianship was tender, though Lord Clarendon, who did not much affect the Lord and Lady of Penshurst, speaks rather slightingly on the subject. But the reduced allowance, the lessening of respect, the omission of titles, and the like, were not to be laid to the charge of the royal children’s guardians, but to that of the Government then in power. At all events, Princess Elizabeth evinced her affection for Lady Leicester by bequeathing to her a jewel of much value, on her death, at Carisbrook in the Isle of Wight, where she had been removed from the shades of Penshurst. This token of gratitude and friendship was grudged by the Parliament, who, questioning the validity of the will, instituted a suit against the Earl of Leicester, and after some litigation, (as might have been expected,) gained possession of this bone of contention.
Lady Leicester did not long survive her young ward. There is a letter extant, addressed by her husband, on her death, to her unkind brother, Lord Northumberland, which we do not transcribe, as the cringing, courtier-like style does not take our fancy, although speaking with much affection of the wife whose loss he no doubt so deeply mourned.
They had four sons and eight daughters.
No. 156.
CARDINAL RICHELIEU.
BORN 1585, DIED 1642.
Red dress and cap of Cardinal. Ribbon and Order.
ARMAND, the son of Francis Duplessis Richelieu, who was Captain of the Guard to Henry IV. of France. The family was originally of Poitou. Born at Paris, educated at the Sorbonne. Evinced great talent at an early age. Went to Rome, where he was elected Bishop of Luchon when only twenty-two. It is said that he gave himself out for two years older to Paul V., who, on discovering the deceit that had been practised, observed, ‘Ce jeune évêque a de l’esprit, mais ce sera un jour un grand fourbe.’