Edward Villiers, 1st Earl of Jersey

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Edward Villiers, 1st Earl of Jersey (c. 1656 - 25 August 1711) son of Sir Edward Villiers (1620-1689), of Richmond was created Baron Villiers and Viscount Villiers in 1691 and Earl of Jersey in 1697.

His grandfather, Sir Edward Villiers (c. 1585-1626), Master of the Mint and President of Munster, was half brother of George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, and of Christopher Villiers, 1st Earl of Anglesey; his sister was Elizabeth Villiers, the mistress of William III, and afterwards Countess of Orkney. Villiers was knight-marshal to the royal household in succession to his father; Master of the Horse to Queen Mary; and Lord Chamberlain to William III and Queen Anne.

In 1696 he represented his country at the Congress of Ryswick; he was ambassador at The Hague, and after becoming an earl was ambassador in Paris. In 1699 he was made Secretary of State for the Southern Department, and on three occasions he was one of the Lords Justices of England. In 1704 he was dismissed from office by Anne, and after this event he was concerned in some of the Jacobite schemes. He died on 25 August 1711.

Political offices
Preceded by James Vernon	Secretary of State for the Southern Department 1699–1700	Succeeded by James Vernon
Preceded by The Duke of Shrewsbury	Lord Chamberlain 1700–1704	Succeeded by The Earl of Kent
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by The Earl of Portland	English Ambassador to France 1698–1699	Succeeded by The Earl of Manchester
Peerage of England
Preceded by New Creation	Earl of Jersey 1697–1711	Succeeded by William Villiers