Paris, August 18. 1649

A brief Account of Lucy, Lady Walter (alias Mrs Barlow) and Charles Stuart in Paris, in August ’49 in response to other witnesses

From Mr Evelyn’s Diary, Paris August 18, ’49.

I went to St. Germain, to kiss his Majesty’s hand; in the coach, which was my Lord Wilmot’s, went Mrs Barlow, the King’s mistress and mother to the Duke of Monmouth, a brown, beautiful, bold but ‘insipid’ creature.

My lord,

Mr Evelyn is correct that my Lucy, Lady Walter, together with her young baby where in Paris in August ’49 as she had stopped in Paris whilst travelling to Jersey, with Charles Stuart. This was to visit his mother, the Queen Dowager, Henrietta Maria, who was in residence at the palace of St Germain in Paris. It was here that the baby James, was introduced to his mother.

It may have been on August 18, that Charles was once again presented to Mademoiselle de Montpensier, at Compiegne. For this is where the King of France had his Summer palace. This was cold encounter between two former royal suitors, as they had parted last year on bad terms. The Mademoiselle was the Queen Dowagers niece and cousin to King Louis XIV. Some in the Dowagers party saw great opportunities, in once more of a proposing a marriage between these two houses, relighting hopes of French support against the Commonwealth. Yet, for obvious reasons, Charles never truly entertained such an idea but played along to maintain his mother’s financial support.

Before Charles left for Jersey, the Mademoiselle visited her Aunt and cousin at St Germain. This time the meeting was more cordial, and the Mademoiselle wrote in her memoirs how her Aunt, took her to one side and said, “My son is too poor, and too unfortunate for you.” Then assuming a milder tone, the Queen then pointed out to her an English lady [Lucy Walter], of whom her son was enamoured; saying, “He is very apprehensive lest you should discover it: see, how ashamed he looks at her while you are present; he fears that I shall tell you of it.” Then when Charles went away, the Queen took to her cabinet and having shut the door, observed, “The King, my son, has begged of me to ask your pardon, if the proposal made was displeasing to you. Such is the idea that possesses him; he cannot get rid of it – he is quite in despair about it.” After which her Aunt introduced her to the Kings younger brother Prince James, Duke of York.

So, the Lucy, alias Mrs Barlow was indeed in Paris, and was a brown, beautiful and bold creature. Whilst, her ‘insipid’ nature was due to the marriage plans and having been on rough road for six weeks after birthing in April, I have no doubt the unwanted attentions of Mr Evelyn add to her mood. Or perhaps the word ‘insipid’ was added as Mr Evelyn’s master was and still is James, Duke of York. For the entry has been edited as the title Duke of Monmouth was not given to the baby James until November 1662.

Sadly, I never had time to ask her of the event. Yours in the cause.

William Savage

Of Marriage Contracts

Account looking at 17th Century Marriage Contracts 1644 to 1699 particularly between King Charles II and Lucy Walter parents of James, Duke of Monmouth

Of Birth & Marriage

The following account contains Letters received from Lucy Walter regarding her marriage to King Charles II and then birth of Prince James, later Duke of Monmouth

Of a Kings’ Birth

A fictional account of the Birth of James, Duke of Monmouth, 9th April 1649 in Peter & Margaret Gosfright house in Rotterdam. Hints at the secret marriage between Lucy Walter and Charles Stuart.

Paris, August 18. 1649

I went to St. Germain, to kiss his Majesty’s hand; in the coach,went Mrs Barlow, the King’s mistress, a brown, beautiful, bold but ‘insipid’ creature.

Of False Accounts

An account regarding the birth of Prince James, Duke of Monmouth and secret marriage between Lucy Walter and King Charles II later covered up, now forgotten.

Of Mean Creatures

This is an account of the family of Lucy Walter which details relationships, parents and siblings plus their homes in Exeter, Pembrokeshire and Covent Garden, London. This counters Diarist John Eveyln’s description of Lucy’s family as ‘mean creatures.

Of Sir Gilbert Gerard

This is an account of the witness Sir Gilbert Gerard and his appearance at the Black Box enquiry 26th April 1680 in front of King Charles II in relational to his marriage to Lucy Walter

Of the Black Box

This is an account of the Black Box enquiry by King Charles II on 26th April 1680 into existence of a ‘Box’ containing a marriage contract between himself and Lucy Walter

Development Warwalks

A brief Account of Lucy, Lady Walter (alias Mrs Barlow) and Charles Stuart in Paris, in August ’49 in response to other witnesses

From Mr Evelyn’s Diary, Paris August 18, ’49.

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Paris, August 18. 1649

A brief Account of Lucy, Lady Walter (alias Mrs Barlow) and Charles Stuart in Paris, in August ’49 in response to other witnesses

From Mr Evelyn’s Diary, Paris August 18, ’49.

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