Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton KG (28 September 1663 – 9 October 1690) was the natural son of King Charles II by Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine.
In August 1672 he was married to Isabella, the daughter and heiress of Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington. They were parents to Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton.
At the time of his marriage, Henry was created Baron Sudbury, Viscount Ipswich, and Earl of Euston; in 1675 he was created Duke of Grafton. Charles II made him a Knight of the Garter in 1680. He was made a colonel of the Grenadier Guards in 1681.
He was brought up as a sailor, and saw military service at the siege of Luxembourg in 1684. At King James II's coronation he was Lord High Constable. In the rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth he commanded the royal troops in Somerset; but later he acted with John Churchill, and joined William of Orange to overthrow the King in the Revolution of 1688.
He died of a wound received at the storming of Cork, while leading William's forces.
| Honorary Titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by The Earl of Arlington |
Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk 1685–1689 |
Succeeded by The Lord Cornwallis |
| Peerage of England | ||
| Preceded by New Creation |
Duke of Grafton 1675–1690 |
Succeeded by Charles FitzRoy |
| Earl of Euston 1672–1690 |
||
