Mary Fox

Lady Mary Fox (née FitzClarence) was born on 19 December 1798 and died on 13 July 1864. She was an illegitimate daughter of King William IV of the United Kingdom and his mistress Dorothea Jordan. Her place of birth was Bushy House.

Family and Early Life:

Mary FitzClarence was the fourth child and second daughter in her family. Her father, at the time of her birth, was the Prince William, Duke of Clarence and St Andrews, and her mother was actress Dorothea Jordan. Descriptions from her time indicate she was considered "a fine looking, brown girl with a pleasant countenance and manners."

Marriage:

In 1820, her younger sister Elizabeth became involved with Charles Richard Fox, the eldest illegitimate son of Lord Holland and Lady Webster. Although initially opposed by his parents, they later approved of the relationship. In 1824, Mary FitzClarence married Charles Richard Fox in a ceremony at St George's, Hanover Square, London.

Her mother-in-law expressed concern about her health and background, noting that she might be "a sickly subject" and that her mother's "roturier blood" could influence her health. Charles's parents regarded her as "very winning, and very firm, and sincerely fond of him," but considered her more as an auxiliary to his possessions rather than as a primary partner. The couple established their household at Little Holland House by 1827, and in September 1829, they moved to Canada due to Charles's military service.

Inheritance and Titles:

Following the death of her uncle, King George IV, in 1830, her father ascended to the throne as William IV. He wished for his daughter to return from Canada, and as a result, her husband was transferred closer to the royal court. On 24 May 1831, William IV granted Mary Fox the rank of a marquess's daughter.

The Anthony Roll:

Lady Mary Fox was the recipient of the second part of the Anthony Roll, an important maritime manuscript dating back to the reign of King Henry VIII. The roll had been kept within the royal family for generations. In January 1857, Sir Frederic Madden, custodian of manuscripts at the British Museum, was informed that Lady Mary intended to sell the roll to fund the construction of a church or similar project. It is implied that she may not have had a strong personal interest in the history of the Royal Navy.

Later Life:

After William IV's death in January 1837, her cousin, Queen Victoria, ascended the throne. Later in 1837, Lady Mary published a work titled *An Account of an Expedition to the Interior of New Holland*, which is characterized as a utopian feminist Gothic fiction. The narrative depicts New Holland as an "unreal" and mysterious place, typical of contemporary portrayals.

For much of her later life, Lady Mary served as housekeeper at Windsor Castle. She did not have children. Lady Mary Fox died on 13 July 1864 and was buried with her husband at Kensal Green Cemetery.