Frances Talbot, Countess of Tyrconnel

Frances Talbot Countess of Tyrconnel
"La Belle Jennings"
Born	c. 1647 Sandridge, Hertfordshire
Died	9 March 1730 Dublin
Known for	Restoration-era beauty

Frances Talbot, Countess of Tyrconnel (née Jennings, previously Hamilton; c. 1647 – 9 March 1730) was a prominent figure in the Restoration court, together with her younger sister, Sarah Jennings. Once a maid of honour to the Duchess of York, she was twice widowed and eventually died in poverty.

The daughter of Richard Jennings and Frances Thornhurst, Frances was born at Sandridge, Hertfordshire, England. Her beauty earned her the nickname "La Belle Jennings." Macaulay describes her as “beautiful Fanny Jennings, the loveliest coquette in the brilliant Whitehall of the Restoration." In 1664, Frances was appointed maid of honour to the Duchess of York, Anne Hyde. Wild and reckless as a girl, Pepys records an incident in which she disguised herself as an orange seller, but was eventually recognised by her expensive shoes.

In 1665, Frances married Sir George Hamilton, Comte de Hamilton, maréchal de camp, son of Sir George Hamilton, 1st Baronet, and Mary Butler, daughter of Lord Thurles. With him, she had three daughters:

After Hamilton's death, Frances remarried in 1681 to an old suitor she had previously rejected: Richard Talbot. Talbot was later created Earl of Tyrconnel in the peerage of Ireland and subsequently Duke of Tyrconnel, although this latter title was bestowed by James II after the Glorious Revolution and was not widely recognised. Nonetheless, Frances is frequently called Duchess of Tyrconnel. They had no children.