Lam, Elizabeth

Elizabeth Milbenck was born on October 15, 1751 in the village of . She was the daughter of Ralph Milbenk, 5th Baronet, and his wife Elizabeth ^[1] . The girl’s brother, Ralph Noel, later became the successor of his father and the 6th baronet. She lived with her family at Helneby House in Yorkshire ^[2] . Ralph Milbenck was a politician, just like the girl’s grandfather on the mother’s side, John Hadwot, a member of parliament from Durham County ^[3] . Elizabeth received a private home education, took French lessons, loved poetry ^[1] . Mother died in 1767. Two years later, the girl met . Their wedding took place in London, April 13, 1769 ^[3] . The newlyweds settled in on the famous London Piccadilly Circus . Elizabeth quickly entered high society and became a well-known figure in the society of Whig politicians. From the very beginning of the marriage, Peniston began to cheat on his wife with actresses and courtesans, one of whom was the famous actress and singer . Knowing about the betrayal of her husband, Elizabeth began to follow his example ^[3] . In 1770, Peniston became "Lord Melbourne" and "Baron Kilmore," and in 1781 received the title of " ." The family had suburban residences: in Hertfordshire and in County Derbyshire ^[3] .

From the very beginning of the marriage, Lady Melbourne began to establish friendly relations with persons of high society who helped the spouses gain a foothold in him ^[4] . Elizabeth was considered an exemplary mother, putting a lot of effort into raising children, especially William's son. Lord wrote that for her children, Lady Melbourne was a better mother, but her immoral reputation caused them pain. The youngest son George once had a fight with his friend, who called his mother a whore ^[3] .

In 1774, Lady Georgiana Spencer married William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire . Lady Elizabeth Melbourne became a close friend of Georgiana ^[3] . Until that moment, she was not very popular in society, and admitted to the young duchess that they were better off being friends than rivals ^[5] . Both women and sculptor , were depicted in the painting by "Witches of the Round Cauldron" in the image of three witches ^[3] .

By the end of the 1770s, Elizabeth had an affair with . It was rumored in society that the Earl bought Elizabeth’s love from her previous lover, John Colrane, for £ 13,000. ^[6] George Wyndham may have been the father of Lady Melbourne’s children: William , and ^[3] . Viscount Melbourne was not much worried about the betrayal of his wife. Only once did a quarrel arise between them over the death of their eldest son, , who died of tuberculosis, whom his father considered his son ^[3] .

In 1782, Elizabeth met George, Prince of Wales , when she visited her son twice a week during his studies at Eton College ^[7] . Their relationship made the husband of Lady Melbourne the Prince’s camera junk at his mansion. ^[1] The fatherhood of the fourth son, , is attributed to the Prince of Wales, who was also the godfather of the boy ^{[3] [8]} . Among her lovers was the famous poet Lord George Gordon Byron , who had an affair with the future daughter-in-law of Elizabeth, Lady Carolina Ponsonby. ^[9] Byron subsequently married Elizabeth’s niece, Lady ^[3] .

Lord Melbourne became a peer of the United Kingdom, and in 1815 he was granted the title of "Baron of Melbourne." Elizabeth died on April 6, 1818 at Melbourne House in London. Near her at the time of death were her children, for whom the death of her mother was a big blow. Her husband died in 1828 ^[3] .

Children

Lady Melbourne had six children, and only the fatherhood of the eldest son is attributed to her legal spouse ^[3] :

• (1770-1805) - British politician, had a relationship with Mrs. Sofia Heywood (1758-1819), died of tuberculosis, did not leave children ^[10] ;
• Twins N and N (genus and d. 1788) - died after birth;
• William (1779-1848) - 2nd Viscount Melbourne, British Prime Minister in 1834, 1835-1841, was married to Lady Carolina Ponsonby , had a son and daughter who died after birth;
• - 1782-1853 - 3rd Viscount Melbourne, diplomat, was not married, had no children;
• (1784-1834) - politician and writer, was married to Carolina Rosalie Adelaide St. Jules , illegitimate daughter of the 5th Duke of Devonshire, had no children;
• (1787-1869) - wife of Henry John Temple Palmerston , British Prime Minister, had five children;
• Harriet (1789-1803) - died of tuberculosis in her youth ^[10] .

• Cecil, David. The Young Melbourne: [ eng. ] . - London: Hesperides Press, 2006 .-- P. 28-29. - 308 p. - ISBN 1-4067-3534-5 .
• Lewis, Judith Schneid. Sacred to Female Patriotism: Gender, Class, and Politics in Late Georgian Britain : [ eng. ] . - London: Routledge, 2003 .-- P. 109, 215. - 272 p. - ISBN 0415944120 .
• Melbourne, Elizabeth Milbanke Lamb; Gross, Jonathan David. Byron's "Corbeau Blanc": The Life and Letters of Lady Melbourne : [ eng. ] . - College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 1997 .-- P. 4, 14, 27, 39, 47. - 504 p. - ISBN 0890966729 .
• Stewart, John. Byron and the Websters : [ eng. ] . - London: McFarland, 2008 .-- P. 20. - 224 p. - ISBN 0786432403 .

• Elizabeth Milbanke (Spanish) . - Profile on Geneall.net.
• Elizabeth Milbanke - Profile on Thepeerage.com.