Lady Barbara FitzRoy
Lady Barbara FitzRoy (16 July 1672 – 6 May 1737) was the youngest child of Barbara Palmer, the 1st Duchess of Cleveland, a well-known mistress of King Charles II of England. Charles II never publicly acknowledged Barbara as his daughter, and her father is thought to be either John Churchill (the future Duke of Marlborough) or Lord Chesterfield. Her mother’s husband, the Duke of Cleveland, is said to have believed she was his daughter.
Barbara was born at Cleveland House in London. In March 1691, at age 18, she gave birth to an illegitimate son, Charles Hamilton, with the Earl of Arran. He later became Count of Arran and had a distinguished military career.
After the birth, Barbara became a Benedictine nun in France, taking the name Sister Benedicta. She joined the English Benedictine convent in Pontoise, Normandy, and became prioress in 1721. Her son was raised by his grandmother, the Duchess of Cleveland.
There is an autograph from Barbara written in French, noting that she professed at the Convent of English Benedictines in Pontoise in 1691.
Barbara FitzRoy died in the monastery on 6 May 1737 and is buried in the priory church.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 14:51 (CET).