Margaret Feilding, Duchess of Hamilton
Margaret (Mary) Feilding (1613–1638) was a Scottish noblewoman, wife of Duke James Hamilton, and courtier of Queen Consort Henrietta Maria.
Lady Margaret Feilding, Duchess of Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| Duchess of Hamilton | |
 | |
| Other titles | Marchioness of Hamilton, Countess of Arran |
| Born | 1613 |
| Died | 10 May 1638 London |
| Buried | Westminster Abbey |
| Spouse(s) | James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton |
| Father | William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh |
Biography
Margaret was born around 1613 to William Feilding, Earl of Denbigh, and Susan Villiers, sister of the Duke of Buckingham George Villiers. In 1620, she was married to the 14-year-old James Hamilton, future Duke of Hamilton. Following the marriage, she was briefly styled as the Countess of Arran, which was changed to Marchioness of Hamilton in 1625. Margaret was a courtier of Queen Consort Henrietta Maria, holding the office of Lady of the Bedchamber which granted her close contact with both the queen and king. She had three sons, all of whom who died young, and three daughters. One died young, but Anne and Susanna survived their mother.[1][2]
Margaret died at the Wallingford House in London on 10 May 1638. She was buried at Westminster Abbey on 12 May.[3]
Legacy
The contemporary Scottish historian Gilbert Burnet described Margaret as "a lady of great and singular worth" in his book Lives of the Hamiltons. Edmund Waller wrote the poem Thyrsis, Galatea in praise of Margaret.[1]
References
- "Hamilton, James, third Marquis and first Duke of Hamilton in the Scottish peerage, second Earl of Cambridge in the English peerage (1606–1649)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2018-02-06 [1890], doi:10.1093/odnb/9780192683120.013.12087, retrieved 2023-09-24
- "Lady Margaret|Mary Feilding: Genealogics". www.genealogics.org. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
- "Mary, Duchess of Hamilton". Westminster Abbey. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
External links
- Text of Thyrsis, Galatea