Elizabeth Seymour, Duchess Of Somerset

Elizabeth Seymour, Duchess of Somerset and suo jure Baroness Percy, was born on 26 January 1667 and died in late November 1722, with her death occurring on either the 23rd or 24th. She was an English courtier known for her familial lineage, marriages, and her association with the court of Queen Anne.

She was the only surviving child and heiress of Joceline Percy, 11th Earl of Northumberland, who lived from 1644 to 1670. During her lifetime, she held various titles: she was styled Lady Elizabeth Percy from 1667 until 1679, became Countess of Ogle from 1679 to 1681, Lady Elizabeth Thynne between 1681 and 1682, and was known as Duchess of Somerset from 1682 until her death in 1722.

Her marriage history includes three unions, but she bore children only from her third marriage.

Her first marriage was to Henry Cavendish, Earl of Ogle, on 27 March 1679. Cavendish was born in 1659 and died on 1 November 1680, shortly after their marriage. He was the son of Henry Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Newcastle, and adopted the Percy's surname according to the marriage settlement. She was twelve at the time of this marriage and was widowed after approximately a year; it is unlikely the marriage was consummated due to her age.

On 15 November 1681, at the age of fourteen, Elizabeth married Thomas Thynne of Longleat, Wiltshire, who had gained popularity as "Tom of Ten Thousand" due to his income. Thynne was born in the late 17th century and was murdered in February 1682, shortly after their marriage, in Pall Mall. The killing was allegedly ordered by Swedish Count Karl Johann von Königsmark, who had pursued Elizabeth following rumors of marital discord. There were accusations that Elizabeth had incited the murder, though the true perpetrators were hanged, and Königsmark was acquitted. This marriage produced no children.

Her third marriage was to Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset, on 30 May 1682, when she was fifteen years old and five months after Thynne’s death. Charles Seymour was born in 1662 and was 20 years old at the time. The marriage resulted in several children, including Algernon Seymour, who became the 7th Duke of Somerset; Lady Elizabeth Seymour, who married Henry O'Brien, 8th Earl of Thomond; Lady Catherine Seymour, wife of Sir William Wyndham, 3rd Baronet; and others, though some children died young or without issue.

The Dukes of Somerset, Elizabeth and her husband, were close associates of Queen Anne. Elizabeth resided at Syon House from 1692 and served as Groom of the Stole and First Lady of the Bedchamber. She was a prominent member of Queen Anne's court and was present as chief mourner at Queen Mary's funeral in 1694.

Her influence extended into court politics. Both she and her husband benefitted from her position as a favored confidante of Queen Anne, which occasioned jealousy and led to hostility from figures such as Jonathan Swift. Swift depicted her in his satirical work, The Windsor Prophecy, criticizing her character and suggesting conspiracy. Despite the gossip and Swift’s attacks, Elizabeth remained in Queen Anne’s household until her death.

She held the position of Mistress of the Robes from 1711 until 1714 and was known for her observant nature and courtly skills. Elizabeth Seymour died of breast cancer in late November 1722 at approximately 55 years of age.

Her estates included significant residences and properties such as Alnwick Castle, Petworth House, Syon House, and Northumberland House in London.