portrait of frances jenings, lady hamilton and duchess of tyrconnell 1647-173

Frances was sister of Sarah (nee Jenings), duchess of Marlborough, both daughters and co-heiresses of Richard Jennings of Sandridge, Co. Hertford by Frances, daughter and co-heiress of Sir Giffard Thornhurst, baronet.

She First Married Sir George Hamilton (bef. 1621?1676), , Count Hamilton, and her second husband was Sir Richard Talbot, 1st Earl of Tyrconnel who she married in Paris in 1679Frances Jenings was one of the Maids of Honour to Catherine of Bragan?a. After 1691 she retired to Saint Germains and was Lady of the Bedchamber to Mary of Modena. She returned to Ireland about 1720 and was allowed to build a convent of the Poor Clares at King Street, Dublin. She died aged 82, falling out of bed at Paradise Row or Arbour Hill, Dublin on 6.3.1731 and was buried on 9.3.1731 at St. Patrick''s Cathedral.She was one of the most celebrated beauties at the court of Charles II, and Gramont wrote of her: "Miss Jenings?.had a complexion more dazzling fair than had ever yet been seen. Her tresses were a perfect blond?the turn of her face was delightful, and her bosom?was the same brilliance as her complexion?she was all sparkling with wit and vivacity?her conversation was seductive?(or) intellligent and penetrating." (Memories of Gramont, pp 223-4). Highly spirited and vivacious by nature, she caused a sensation at court when she appeared aged 15 as Maid of Honour to the Duchess of York. She married George Hamilton. Due to Catholic opposition they settled in France where Hamilton was killed at the Battle of Savarne in 1676. In 1679 she married her earlier suitor, Colonel Richard Talbot, who was crated Earl of Tyrrconnel after the accession of James II and given command of the army in Ireland. Tyrrconnel dies in Limerick in 1691 after the defeat of Aughrim. Frances spent the following years in France, England and Holland before finally settling in Dublin where she lived in a house in paradise Row, Arbor Hill, near Phoenix Park. She founded a nunnery in King Street for the Order of Poor Clares. She had two children by Tyrrconnel, one of whom, Lady Charlotte , married the Prince of Vintimiglia. She also had three daughters by Hamilton: Elizabeth, Frances and Mary who married respectively Viscount Ross, Dillon and Kingsland, and were known in Ireland as the "three viscountesses".

Antiques.co.uk Ref: B7K8BN98

Materials:

Oil on Canvas

Width (cm):

76.20 x 63.50cm (30 x 25ins)

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