Lot Essay
Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine and Duchess of Cleveland was the daughter of the 2nd Viscount Grandison. She was a celebrated society hostess and in 1659 married Roger Palmer who was created Earl of Castelmaine as a consolation when she became the mistress of King Charles II. Her affairs were well-known and when she was surplanted in the King's favour by the Duchess of Portland, she moved to Paris where she bigamously married Robert 'Beau' Fielding. The marriage was annulled in 1707. She had seven children, five of whom were acknowledged by King Charles as his; Anne, Countess of Suffolk, Charles Fitzroy, Duke of Southampton, Charlotte, Countess of Lochfield, and George Fitzroy, Duke of Northumberland.