Catherine Manners, Duchess Of Rutland

Catherine Manners, Duchess of Rutland (born Catherine Wriothesley Noel on 10 August 1657; died 24 January 1733), was an English noblewoman. She was the third wife of John Manners, 1st Duke of Rutland, and the mother of the second duke.

Family and Early Life:

Catherine was the daughter of Baptist Noel, 3rd Viscount Campden, and Lady Elizabeth Bertie. Her birth date is recorded as 10 August 1657.

Marriage:

She married John Manners on 8 January 1673. At the time, he was known as Lord Roos and was the heir to John Manners, 8th Earl of Rutland. Catherine was approximately twenty years younger than her future husband. Prior to their marriage, John Manners had divorced his first wife, Lady Anne Pierrepont, which marked a significant legal event as it was the first legal divorce in England since the Reformation. His second wife, Lady Diana Bruce, died in childbirth in 1672, less than a year after their marriage.

Titles and Name Changes:

Between 1673 and 1679, Catherine was known as Lady Roos. In 1679, her husband inherited his father's earldom, and in 1703, he was elevated to the dukedom, making her the first to hold the title of Duchess of Rutland.

Children:

Catherine and John Manners had three children:

- John Manners (1676–1721), who became the 2nd Duke of Rutland

- Lady Catherine Manners (born 1675; died 1722), who married John Leveson-Gower, 1st Baron Gower, and they had children

- Lady Dorothy Manners (circa 1690–1734), who married Baptist Noel, 3rd Earl of Gainsborough, and they had children

Death and Later Life:

The duke died in 1711 at Belvoir Castle, the family seat. After his death, Catherine moved to Lindsey House in Chelsea, which she rented from her relatives, the earls of Lindsey. She remained there until her death in 1733.

Portrait:

A portrait of Catherine was painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller.