Charles FitzCharles, 1st Earl of Plymouth
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Charles FitzCharles The Earl of Plymouth |
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1689 mezzotint
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| Born |
c. 1657 Westminster, England |
| Died | 17 October 1680 (aged 23) Colony of Tangier |
| Education | Spain |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Bridget Osborne |
| Parent(s) | Charles II and Catherine of Yeldersley, Derbyshire |
Charles FitzCharles, 1st Earl of Plymouth (1657 – 17 October 1680) was the illegitimate son of King Charles II of England, by Catherine Pegge. He had a sister called Catherine FitzCharles who became a nun. His mother went on to marry Sir Edward Greene of Samford in Essex, but they had no children. His subsidiary titles were Viscount Totness and Baron Dartmouth.
Charles FitzCharles was born in or about 1657. He was the illegitimate son of Charles II, by Catherine, daughter of Thomas Pegge of Yeldersley, Derbyshire. Charles II had the affair with Catherine (or Katherine) Pegge whilst he was abroad in exile. Charles the younger was allowed to use the Royal arms with a "baton sinister, Vaire.. and was bred to the sea". He was educated abroad, probably in Spain and he was known by the nickname of "Don Carlos".
Sir William Dugdale wrote, giving much testimony of his singular accomplishments:
In the time of his youth, he was elevated to the peerage, 28 July 1675, as Baron of Dartmouth, Viscount Totness, and Earl of Plymouth, to the end he might be the more encouraged to persist in the paths of virtue, and thereby be the better fitted for the managery of great affairs when he should attain to riper years.
He married on 19 September 1678 in Wimbledon, Surrey, Lady Bridget Osborne, third daughter of Thomas Osborne, 1st Duke of Leeds, Lord High Treasurer.
He was a friend of the dramatic poet, Thomas Otway, for whom he procured a cornet's commission in a regiment of horse serving in Flanders. Later when his friend, John Sheffield, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Normanby in consequence of his attachment to Queen Anne, then Princess of Denmark, was sent to the Colony of Tangier, it was reported that the Duke was purposely despatched in a leaky vessel in order to get rid of him. Nevertheless, the Earl of Plymouth, notwithstanding he was sensible of the danger, insisted on accompanying him.
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