Barbara Villiers
From Age of Intrigue Wiki
Contents |
Short Stats
- Character Name: Barbara Villiers Palmer
- Title: Duchess of Cleveland (in her own right), Countess Castlemaine
- Estate Name: n/a
- Nationality: English
- Age: 35 (b.1640)
- Gender: Female
- Eye Colour: Blue
- Hair Colour: Dark Red
- Residence: Berkshire House, on St. James Street
Physical Attributes & Initial Impression of Personality
More charming than beautiful, even though she's generally acknowledged as one of the Court Beauties, even at her age. She had dark red hair and strikingly blue eyes.
Background
She became King Charles's mistress, in 1660, whilst he was still in exile. As a reward for her services, the King created her husband Baron Limerick and Earl of Castlemaine, in 1661. Of her six children, five are acknowledged by Charles as his:
- Lady Anne Palmer, later FitzRoy, now married as Anne Lennard (1661)
- Charles Palmer, later FitzRoy (1662) created Duke of Southampton (1675)
- Henry FitzRoy (1663), created Earl of Euston (1672)
- Charlotte FitzRoy (1664)
- George FitzRoy (1665), created Earl of Northumberland (1674)
- Barbara (Benedicta) FitzRoy (1672) -
The Duchess of Cleveland is famously extravagant. She is currently out of favor, but had great influence over the King for many years. Whispers are that she has taken many lovers over the years. She converted to Catholicism in the 1660s, and is cousin to Lord Clare by a shared uncle, the Marquess of Dorchester.
Barbara uses the name of Castlemaine, rather than Palmer, as a double insult to her estranged husband, Roger Palmer.
Still not back in power, but having managed to keep a low profile, Barbara is attending Windsor and has even been granted apartments again, close to the Scottish Lady.
Residence
When in London, Barbara lives in her St. James Street mansion.
