Elizabeth Sackville, Duchess of Dorset
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Elizabeth Sackville, Duchess of Dorset (c. 1689 – 12 June 1768), formerly Elizabeth Colyear, was a British court official and noble, the wife of Lionel Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset.
Elizabeth Sackville | |
---|---|
Duchess consort of Dorset | |
Tenure | 1720–1765 |
Born | Elizabeth Colyear c. 1689 |
Died | 12 June 1768 |
Noble family | Colyear |
Spouse(s) | Lionel Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset |
Issue | Charles Sackville, 2nd Duke of Dorset Lord John Sackville George Germain, 1st Viscount Sackville Elizabeth Thynne, Viscountess Weymouth Lady Caroline Sackville |
Father | Lieutenant-General Walter Colyear |
Occupation | Maid of honour to Anne, Queen of Great Britain Lady of the Bedchamber to Caroline of Ansbach, later Mistress of the Robes |
She was the daughter of Lieutenant-General Walter Colyear (who was a brother of the Earl of Portmore). In 1703, at the age of fourteen, Elizabeth came to court as a Maid of honour to Queen Anne, a position she inherited from her aunt Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester.[1]
They were married in January 1709, but the marriage was not made public until the duchess became pregnant.[1] The couple had five children in all:
- Charles, Earl of Middlesex (later 2nd Duke of Dorset; 1711–1769)
- Lord John Sackville (father of the 3rd Duke)
- Lord George Sackville (later Lord George Germain and 1st Viscount Sackville)
- Elizabeth (died 19 June 1729), who married Thomas Thynne, 2nd Viscount Weymouth
- Caroline, who married Joseph Damer, 1st Earl of Dorchester.
Between 1714 and 1737 She was a Lady of the Bedchamber[2] and to Caroline of Ansbach, wife of King George II of Great Britain. From 1723 to 1731 she was Caroline's Mistress of the Robes, a title that can be held by no one of lower rank than a duchess.[3] The arrangements for Caroline's appearance at her coronation in 1727 were, however, made by an experienced subordinate.[4]