Barbara Fitzroy

Barbara (Benedicta) Fitzroy (1672-1731) was the youngest daughter of Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine. Although she was acknowledged as Charles II's daughter, she was probably fathered by her mothers second cousin and lover, John Churchill, later Duke of Marlborough.

In March 1691 Barbara gave birth to an illegitimate son, Charles Hamilton; the father was the Earl of Arran whose parents bitterly opposed the relationship. Charles would be brought up by Barbara's mother, the Duchess of Cleveland. Subsequently Barbara became a nun in a French convent, using the name of Bernadette. She became a prioress at the Convent of Saint-Nicholas.

 

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