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Social Victorians/People/Spencer

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Also Known As edit

  • Family name: Spencer
  • Earl Spencer
    • Vice-Admiral Frederick Spencer, 4th Earl Spencer (1 October 1845 – 27 December 1857)[1]
    • John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer (27 December 1857 – 13 August 1910)[2]
    • Charles Robert Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer (13 August 1910 – 26 September 1922)[3]
  • Countess Spencer
    • Charlotte Francis Frederica Seymour Spencer ( – 31 October 1903)
  • Courtesy Titles
    • Viscount Spencer of Althorp or Viscount Althorp
      • John Poyntz Spencer, Viscount Spencer of Althorp (1845 – 27 December 1857)
      • Charles Robert Spencer, 1st Viscount Althorp [U.K.] (19 December 1905 – 26 September 1922)[4]
  • John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer: the Red Earl[5]
  • Charles Robert Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer: Bobby or Mr. R. Spencer[4]

Acquaintances, Friends and Enemies edit

Friends edit

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer edit

Organizations edit

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer edit

  • Harrow (1848–1854)[2]
  • M.A., Trinity College, Cambridge (1857)[2]
  • Liberal Party
  • Parliament
  • Household of Albert, Prince Consort: Groom of the Stole (1859–1861)[2]
  • National Rifle Association (1960–1910)[6]
  • Household of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales: Groom of the Stole (1862–1866)
  • Household of the Prince of Wales (1901–1907)[2]

Charles Robert Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer edit

  • Harrow[3]
  • M.A., Trinity College, Cambridge[3]
  • Major and Hon. Colonel, 4th Battalion, the Northampton Regiment[3]
  • Member of Parliament, Liberal, for North Northamptonshire (1880–1885)[3]
  • Member of Parliament, Liberal, for Mid-Northamptonshire (1885–1895)[3]
  • Groom in Waiting, the Household of Queen Victoria (February 1886 – July 1886)[3]
  • Vice-Chamberlain of the Household (1892–1895)
  • Member of Parliament, Liberal, for Mid-Northamptonshire (1900–1905)[3]
  • Lord Chamberlain of the Household (1905–1912)[3]

Timeline edit

1858 July 8, John Spencer and Charlotte Seymour married at St. James's, London.

1876, John, Earl Spencer and Charlotte, Countess Spencer were the hosts of Princess Elizabeth of Austria for a hunting party.[5]

1887 July 23, Hon. Margaret Baring and Charles Robert Spencer married.[7]

1892, John, Earl Spencer sold "the great library of Althorp" to Mrs. John Rylands for £250,000; it is now at the John Rylands Library in Manchester.[6]

1897 July 2, Friday, Earl Spencer and Countess Spencer as well as Mr. and Mrs. R. Spencer attended the Duchess of Devonshire's fancy-dress ball at Devonshire House. (Earl Spencer is at #145 in the list of people who attended; Countess Spencer is #192.)

Costume at the Duchess of Devonshire's 2 July 1897 Fancy-dress Ball edit

Charlotte, Countess Spencer edit

 
Charlotte, Countess Spencer in costume as the Countess of Lennox in the Elizabethan procession. ©National Portrait Gallery, London.
 
Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox

At the Duchess of Devonshire's fancy-dress ball, Charlotte, Countess Spencer sat at Table 9 in the first supper seating.

Lafayette's portrait (left) of "Charlotte Frances Frederica Spencer (née Seymour), Countess Spencer as the Countess of Lennox in the Elizabethan procession" in costume is photogravure #239 in the album presented to the Duchess of Devonshire and now in the National Portrait Gallery.[8] The printing on the portrait says, "Countess Spencer as the Countess of Lennox in the Elizabethan procession," with a Long S in Countess twice and procession.[9]

The portrait (right) of Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox (8 October 1515 – 7 March 1578)[10] is not the original for her costume. Attributed to Nicholas Hilliard, the painting is dated 1575 and has been at the Rijksmuseum since 1885.[11] The text on the painting says, "Ano Dni. 1575. Aetatis Suae."

Newspaper Descriptions of Countess Spencer's Costume edit

  • She was in costume as "a lady of James I. period."[12]:p. 5, Col. 7c
  • "The Countess Spencer wore a robe of black ciselé velvet, the front of which was plaited and studded with metal gold buttons. The small sleeves were of gold tissue, with long hanging draped sleeves of black velvet lined with gold tissue. The toque was of black velvet with white feather, and ornamented with antique jewels."[13]:p. 3, Col. 3c
  • Countess Spencer was dressed in a "Robe of black ciselé velvet, the front of which is plaited, studded with metal gold buttons. Small sleeves of gold tissue with long hanging draped sleeves of black velvet lined gold tissue. Large collarette and sleeves plaited. Toquet of black velvet with white feather and ornamented antique jewel."[14]:p. 2, Col. 7a
  • Charlotte, Countess Spencer was in the Court of Queen Elizabeth.[15]:p. 32, col. 3c
  • She was wearing a "robe of black cilesé velvet, the front plaited, studded with metal gold button's; sleeves of gold tissue."[15]:p. 40, Col. 3c

The Historical Countess of Lennox edit

The Countess of Lennox during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I was either Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox or her daughter in law, Elizabeth Cavendish, daughter of Bess of Hardwick, but Mrs. Mary James (at 318) was dressed as Elisabeth Cavendish in the Queen Elizabeth procession. Because the Queen Elizabeth procession seems to have been well organized and because Charlotte, Countess Spencer was a generation older than Mary James, she is likely Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox.

John, Earl Spencer edit

 
Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montague

John, Earl Spencer sat at Table 3 in the first supper seating and

  • was dressed as Sir A. Brown, First Viscount Montagu, in the Queen Elizabeth procession.[16]
  • personated "a Florentine noble."[12]:p. 5, Col. 7c
  • went "as a noble of the time of Francois II."[17]
  • "went as Francis II."[18]:p. 6, Col. 1a
  • "representing a nobleman of the time of François II., wore a doublet and trunks of black velvet, heavily and richly embroidered and barred with gold, and a cloak of black velvet with black fur collar and front; hose of black silk, shoes of black satin, and a toque of black velvet, slashed with gold and white feathers on the left side."[13]:p. 3, Col. 4b

François II (19 January 1544 – 5 December 1560), who was king of France for 1 year and did not live past 16 years old,[19] seems an unlikely choice for John, Earl Spencer, who would have been more than 65 years old at the time of the ball. Sir Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu (29 November 1528 – 19 October 1592), who was created Viscount in 1554, seems more likely.[20] The portrait of Anthony, Viscount Montagu (right) was painted by Hans Eworth in 1569 and has been in the National Portrait Gallery, London, since 1890.[21]

Mr. and Mrs. R. Spencer (Charles Robert Spencer and Hon. Margaret Baring Spencer) edit

Mr. R. (Charles Robert) Spencer (at 493) and Mrs. R. (Margaret Baring) Spencer (at 494) attended the Duchess of Devonshire's fancy-dress ball.[17]

  • The Gentlewoman says that Hon. R. Spencer was in Elizabethan dress: "(Courtier, time of Elizabeth), grey silk tunic, trimmed steel, trunks and cloak to correspond."[15]:p. 34, Col. 2a
  • The Gentlewoman also says Viscount Spencer (whom they might imagine to be Charles Robert Spencer because he was the heir apparent), was present: "Viscount Spencer (noble, time of François II.), black velvet doublet and trunks, heavily and richly embroidered and barred with gold; black velvet cloak black fur collar; black velvet toque slashed with gold and white feathers on left side; jewelled chain round neck."[15]:p. 42, Col. 3a

Demographics edit

  • Nationality: British

Residences edit

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer edit

  • Wimbledon

Family edit

  • Vice-Admiral Frederick Spencer, 4th Earl Spencer (14 April 1798 – 27 December 1857)[1]
  • Georgiana Elizabeth Poyntz (27 March 1799 – 10 April 1851)[22]
    1. Lady Georgina Frances Spence (1832–1852)
    2. John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer (27 October 1835 – 13 August 1910)
    3. Lady Sarah Isabella Spencer (1838–1919)
  • Adelaide Horatia Elizabeth Seymour (27 January 1825 – 29 October 1877)[23]
    1. Lady Victoria Alexandrina Spencer (1855 – 13 March 1906)
    2. Robert (Charles Robert) Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer (30 October 1857 – 26 September 1922)


  • John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer (27 October 1835 – 13 August 1910)[2]
  • Charlotte Francis Frederica Seymour Spencer (28 September 1835 – 31 October 1903)
  1. Susan Spencer (changed her name to Eliza King)


  • Robert (Charles Robert) Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer (30 October 1857 – 26 September 1922)[3]
  • Hon. Margaret Baring (14 December 1868 – 4 July 1906)[7]
    1. Lady Adelaide Margaret Delia Spencer (26 June 1889 – January 1981)
    2. Albert Edward John Spencer, 7th Earl Spencer (23 May 1892 – 9 June 1975)
    3. Lt.-Cdr. Hon. Cecil Edward Robert Spencer (20 May 1894 – 14 February 1928)
    4. Lady Lavinia Emily Spencer (29 September 1899 – 9 May 1955)
    5. Captain Hon. George Charles Spencer (15 August 1903 – October 1982)
    6. Lady Alexandra Margaret Elizabeth Spencer (4 July 1906 – 26 May 1996)

Relations edit

Notes and Questions edit

  1. Identifying Mr. and Mrs. R. Spencer: the key is #4, below (1894 March 29, Thursday), because the Vice-Chamberlain of the Household in 1894 was Charles Robert Spencer, later 6th Earl Spencer, who seems to have gone by Robert rather than Charles. Also, the Gentlewoman says "Hon. R. Spencer."[15]:34, Col. 2a
    1. 1886 February 18, Thursday: A Mr. Spencer was introduced in the House of Parliament Thursday after having been re-elected as a minister. He was "introduced by the Marquis of Stafford and Mr. Broadhurst," and he and Mr. Cyril Flower introduced Mr. Gladstone.[25] The new Prime Minister (his 2nd term) was Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, a Conservative.
    2. 1890 June 26, Thursday: "As the House was about to proceed with the Orders of the Day, Mr. Labouchere interposed, and asked leave to move the adjournment in order to call attention as a matter of urgent public importance, to the action of the Magistrates at Northampton in prohibiting a meeting called in the Market Place for Sunday last. Mr. Labouchere’s claim to be heard was supported by the Opposition rising en masse. When he commenced his observations the Conservatives rose with almost equal unanimity, and left the House. After some conversation, in which Mr. Bradlaugh, Mr. R. Spencer, and the Home Secretary took part, the motion was withdrawn."[26]
    3. 1891 February 16, Monday: Mr. Labouchere and Mr. R. Spencer introduced the new Member of Parliament for Northampton, Mr. Manfield.[27] The new Prime Minister (his 2nd term) was Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, a Conservative.
    4. 1894 March 29, Thursday: "Mr. R. Spencer, Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, brought up her Majesty's reply to the Address in response to the Speech from the Throne."[28]
    5. 1894 August 30, Thursday: Mr. and Mrs. R. Spencer were invited to a fashionable wedding reported on in the Belfast News-Letter that took place on between Miss Olive Leslie and Mr. Murray Guthrie, of Cragie.[29]:Col. 7c
    6. 1895 July 5, about: "Mr R Spencer, wearing the uniform of the Vice Chamberlain, brought up a royal message complying with the wish of the House that her Majesty would withhold her consent to part of the Limerick diocesan school scheme."[30]
    7. Probably not the right Mr. R. Spencer: 1903 May 1, about: A Mr. and Mrs. R. Spencer, of Netherwitton Hall, held a Servants' Supper and Dance for their servants and friends, about 50 couples;[31] Miss Bulman was cook, was servant, cook and housekeeper in Northumberland according to Ancestry (used Netherwitton, Northumberland as place, but I don't see her in a Spencer household in the 1901 or 1911 census).
    8. 1904 June 9, Thursday: "Mr. Arnold-Forster calmed the feelings of those who feared conscription on Thursday. He was asked by Mr. H. Samuel whether the Government would make any proposals to the House based upon the recommendation of the majority of the Royal Commission on the Militia and Volunteers in favour of a system of conscription, and be replied that the Government did not intend to do so. The statement was warmly cheered. Mr. R. Spencer asked if nothing would follow from the report, and the Secretary for War replied that he thought a great deal would follow from it."[32]

Footnotes edit

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Vice-Admiral Frederick Spencer, 4th Earl Spencer." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 "Charles Robert Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Charles Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer". Wikipedia. 2021-05-09. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_Spencer,_6th_Earl_Spencer&oldid=1022283908. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "John Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer". Wikipedia. 2020-07-27. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Spencer,_5th_Earl_Spencer&oldid=969854906. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Thursfield, James Richard. "Spencer, John Poyntz, fifth Earl Spencer." "Exhibit". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Hon. Margaret Baring." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  8. ↑ "Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball (1897): photogravures by Walker & Boutall after various photographers." 1899. National Portrait Gallery https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait-list.php?set=515.
  9. ↑ "Countess Spencer as the Countess of Lennox." Diamond Jubilee Fancy Dress Ball. National Portrait Gallery https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw158602/Charlotte-Frances-Frederica-Spencer-ne-Seymour-Countess-Spencer-as-the-Countess-of-Lennox-in-the-Elizabethan-procession.
  10. ↑ "Margaret Douglas". Wikipedia. 2022-01-04. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Margaret_Douglas&oldid=1063700750.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Douglas.
  11. ↑ "Lady Margaret Douglas (1515-78), gravin van Lennox, Nicholas Hilliard (toegeschreven aan), 1575". Rijksmuseum (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-01-05. https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/collectie/SK-A-4323.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Duchess of Devonshire's Fancy Ball. A Brilliant Spectacle. Some of the Dresses." London Daily News Saturday 3 July 1897: 5 [of 10], Col. 6a–6, Col. 1b. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000051/18970703/024/0005 and https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000051/18970703/024/0006.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 “The Ball at Devonshire House. Magnificent Spectacle. Description of the Dresses.” London Evening Standard 3 July 1897 Saturday: 3 [of 12], Cols. 1a–5b [of 7]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000183/18970703/015/0004.
  14. ↑ “A Jubilee Ball. Brilliant Scene at Devonshire House. Some of the Costumes Worn.” The London Echo 3 July 1897, Saturday: 2 [of 4], Cols. 6a – 7a [of 7]. British Newspaper Archive  https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004596/18970703/027/0002.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 “The Duchess of Devonshire’s Ball.” The Gentlewoman 10 July 1897 Saturday: 32–42 [of 76], Cols. 1a–3c [of 3]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003340/18970710/155/0032.
  16. ↑ "Fancy Dress Ball at Devonshire House." Morning Post Saturday 3 July 1897: 7 [of 12], Col. 4a–8 Col. 2b. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000174/18970703/054/0007.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Ball at Devonshire House." The Times Saturday 3 July 1897: 12, Cols. 1a–4c The Times Digital Archive. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
  18. ↑ "The Duchess of Devonshire's Fancy Dress Ball. Special Telegram." Belfast News-Letter Saturday 03 July 1897: 5 [of 8], Col. 9c [of 9]–6, Col. 1a. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000038/18970703/015/0005.
  19. ↑ "Francis II of France". Wikipedia. 2021-12-28. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Francis_II_of_France&oldid=1062383895.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_II_of_France.
  20. ↑ "Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu". Wikipedia. 2021-05-01. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Anthony_Browne,_1st_Viscount_Montagu&oldid=1020836013.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Browne,_1st_Viscount_Montagu.
  21. ↑ "Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu - National Portrait Gallery". www.npg.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-01-05. https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait.php?search=ap&npgno=842&eDate=&lDate=.
  22. ↑ "Georgiana Elizabeth Poyntz." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  23. ↑ "Adelaide Horatia Elizabeth Seymour." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  24. ↑ "Major Hon. Maurice Baring." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  25. ↑ "House of Commons, Thursday." "The New Ministers." Leeds Mercury 19 February 1886 Friday: 7 [of 8], Col. 4x [of 6]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000076/18860219/039/0007.
  26. ↑ "Imperial Parliament." "The Right of Public Meeting." Lowestoft Journal 28 June 1890 Saturday: 2 [of 8], Col. 6c [of 7]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001977/18900628/028/0002.
  27. ↑ "House of Commons — Monday." "New Member." Aberdeen Free Press 17 February 1891 Tuesday: 5 [of 8], Col. 5b [of 7]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001507/18910217/065/0005.
  28. ↑ "House of Commons." "Reply to the Address." Home News 30 March 1894 Friday: 5 [of 32], Col. 1b [of 2]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003281/18940330/026/0005.
  29. ↑ "Fashionable Marriage." Belfast News-Letter 31 August 1894 Friday: 5 [of 8], Col. 7a–8c [of 8]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000038/18940831/018/0005.
  30. ↑ "House of Commons." "Limerick Diocesan School Scheme." Dublin Evening Herald 05 July 1895 Friday: 3 [of 4], Col. 4b [of 8]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001730/18950705/066/0003.
  31. ↑ Morpeth Herald 02 May 1903 Saturday: 2 [of 8], Col. 3c [of 7]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000344/19030502/005/0002.
  32. ↑ "No Conscription." Banbury Beacon 11 June 1904 Saturday: 6 [of 8], Col. 4b [of 6]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001605/19040611/075/0006.
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