Biography of Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven 1593-1631

Paternal Family Tree: Tuchet

Around 1580 [his father] George Tuchet 1st Earl Castlehaven [aged 29] and [his mother] Lucy Mervyn Baroness Audley and Tuchet were married. She by marriage Baroness Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire, Baroness Tuchet.

In 1593 Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven was born to [his father] George Tuchet 1st Earl Castlehaven [aged 42] and [his mother] Lucy Mervyn Baroness Audley and Tuchet.

In 1598 Benedict Barnham [aged 39] died. He left an estate of £20,000 of whom the chief beneficiaries were his wife [his future mother-in-law] Dorothy Smith and her daughters Elizabeth Barnham Countess Castlehaven [aged 6], Alice Barnham Viscountess St Alban [aged 6].

In 1602 William Brydges 4th Baron Chandos [aged 50] died. His son Grey [aged 22] succeeded 5th Baron Chandos of Sudeley. [his future wife] Anne Stanley Countess Castlehaven [aged 21] by marriage Baroness Chandos of Sudeley.

On 28th February 1607 Grey Brydges 5th Baron Chandos [aged 27] and [his future wife] Anne Stanley Countess Castlehaven [aged 26] were married. She the daughter of Ferdinando Stanley 5th Earl of Derby and [his future mother-in-law] Alice Spencer Countess Derby [aged 57]. They were half fourth cousin twice removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

In 1608 Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven [aged 15] was knighted by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 41].

Before 1612 Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven [aged 18] and Elizabeth Barnham Countess Castlehaven [aged 19] were married. He the son of George Tuchet 1st Earl Castlehaven [aged 60] and Lucy Mervyn Baroness Audley and Tuchet.

Addled Parliament

In 1614 during the Addled Parliament Charles Thynne [aged 46] was elected MP Lymington. John "Black Sir John" Egerton [aged 63] was elected MP Lichfield. Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven [aged 21] was elected MP Dorset. Richard Edgecumbe [aged 44] was elected MP Bodmin.

On 20th February 1616 [his mother] Lucy Mervyn Baroness Audley and Tuchet died.

After 20th February 1616 [his father] George Tuchet 1st Earl Castlehaven [aged 65] and Elizabeth Noel Countess Castlehaven were married at St Mary le Strand Church. She by marriage Baroness Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire, Baroness Tuchet.

On 6th September 1616 [his father] George Tuchet 1st Earl Castlehaven [aged 65] was created 1st Earl Castlehaven, 1st Baron Audley of Orier in England. Elizabeth Noel Countess Castlehaven by marriage Countess Castlehaven.

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

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In 1617 [his father] George Tuchet 1st Earl Castlehaven [aged 66] died. His son Mervyn [aged 24] succeeded 2nd Earl Castlehaven, 12th Baron Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire, 9th Baron Tuchet, 2nd Baron Audley of Orier in England. [his wife] Elizabeth Barnham Countess Castlehaven [aged 25] by marriage Countess Castlehaven.

In 1617 [his daughter] Frances Tuchet was born to Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven [aged 24] and [his wife] Elizabeth Barnham Countess Castlehaven [aged 25]. She married Richard Butler of Kilcash and had issue.

Around 1617 [his son] James Tuchet 3rd Earl Castlehaven was born to Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven [aged 24] and [his wife] Elizabeth Barnham Countess Castlehaven [aged 25]. He married (1) in or before 1678 Elizabeth Brydges Countess Castlehaven, daughter of Grey Brydges 5th Baron Chandos and Anne Stanley Countess Castlehaven (2) 19th June 1679 Elizabeth Graves Baroness Audley Heighley.

On 9th February 1619 Humphrey Ferrers and [his sister-in-law] Anne Pakington [aged 20] were married at Kensington.

In 1622 [his wife] Elizabeth Barnham Countess Castlehaven [aged 30] died.

On 22nd July 1624 Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven [aged 31] and Anne Stanley Countess Castlehaven [aged 44] were married at Harefield. She by marriage Countess Castlehaven. She the daughter of Ferdinando Stanley 5th Earl of Derby and Alice Spencer Countess Derby [aged 75]. He the son of George Tuchet 1st Earl Castlehaven and Lucy Mervyn Baroness Audley and Tuchet. They were sixth cousins. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

In 1630 Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven [aged 37] was accused of raping his wife and committing sodomy with two of his servants.

John Evelyn's Diary. 1631. There happened now an extraordinary dearth in England, corn bearing an excessive price; and, in imitation of what I had seen my father do, I began to observe matters more punctually, which I did use to set down in a blank almanac. The Lord of Castlehaven's [aged 38] arraignment for many shameful exorbitances was now all the talk, and the birth of the Princess Mary, afterward Princess of Orange.

Around April 1631 Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven [aged 38] was attainted.

State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason. 137. The Trial of Mervin Lord Audley [aged 38], Earl of Castlehaven, for a Rape and Sodomy: 7 Charles I. A,D. 1631. [2 Rushw. Coll. 93. Hutt. Rep. 115.]

Execution of Lord Castlehaven

On 14th May 1631 Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven [aged 38] was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map]. His English titles Baron Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire and Baron Tuchet were forfeited as a result of his attainder. His son James [aged 14] succeeded to his Irish titles 3rd Earl Castlehaven, 3rd Baron Audley of Orier in England.

He was executed for the unnatural crime of sodomy in accordance with the 1533 Buggery Act, committed with his page Laurence (or Florence) FitzPatrick, who confessed to the crime and was executed; and assisting Giles Browning (alias Broadway), who was also executed, in the rape of his wife Anne, Countess of Castlehaven [aged 51], in which Lord Castlehaven was found to have participated by restraining her.

                    State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason. 14th May 1631. In pursuance of the Sentence, a warrant was issued for his [Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven [aged 38]] Execution upon Saturday the 14th of May following; notice whereof notice was given him, and his coffin carried into the Tower about a week before, that he might the better prepare himself for death: The dean of Paul's, doctor Winerfe, failed not daily to visit him, aind to see how he stood, and to settle him in his Religion.
                
                    Being brought to the scaffold, attended by the dean of Paul's and Dr. Wickham, together with his servants, he saluted the noble personages, and whole assembly, shewing to them all a very noble, manly and chearful countenance, such as seemed no ways daunted with the fear of death. After a short while shewing himself to the people, he addressed himself to prayer, the deans accompanying; him in that exercise, but somewhat apart; which being not long, he stood upon his legs, and leaned Opon the two deans, conferring witH them. Then he turned to the Lords, aud spake to this effect:
                
                    "I acknowledge with thankfulness the great goodness uf Almighty God, that it hath pleased las divine majesty to bestow on me many endowments, as honour, riches, and the like, which I have mis-spent; having been a vicious liver, and justly deserved death, for as much, and in that the least sin at God's liands justly deserveth death, and no less; but for the two heinous crimes with which I am branded, condemned, and here to suffer for, I do. here deny them upon my death, freely forgiving those that have accused me, and have been the occasion of my death, even as freely as I myself do desire forgiveness at God's hands, which I hope to obtain through his infinite goodoess and mercy; and somewhat the rather, by your Christian prayers, which I expect, and humbly beg of your lordships and this whole assembly. Now for as aiuch as there hath been speech and rumour of my unsettledness in my Religion, I have, for explanation thereof, not only made Confession ol my Faith to these two worthy doctors, but for better satisfaction to the world in that point, express the same in writing under my hand signed; whicli as it is here set down, I desire may be publicly read."
                
                    The Confession of hs Faith then was rend by a young gentleman, with a loud voice, wherein he professes he dies in the faith of the church of England.
                
                    After which he proceeded: "I acknowledge the great justice and mercy of the king's majesty; his justice in bringing me to the bar; and his mercy in offording me such a noble and gracious Trial there: and I give his majesty humble and hearty thanks in assigning my death to be in this manner, contrary to the Sentence pronounced against me at my arraignment. But there is a greater favour than this, for which I am to render thanks unto his sacred majesty, and that is, the long time I have had to repent in; whereof (praised be Almighty God) I can speak with comfort, I have made good use, and am now fully prepared for death, and much the better, by the good help and instruction of these two worthy men, to whom I acknowledge myself bounden, and do here, before you all, give them hearty thanks for their great pains taken in coming to me, praying for me, and preaching and reading to me. — And I desire your lordships to present my humble acknowledgment to his majesty, for his goodness in sending them to me, and my thanks for the same. — I do also from my heart desire and beseech Almighty God to bless the king's majesty, the queen, and the young prince, together with all such other issue as he shall hereafter in mercy bestow on them, and the whole state; and my trust and desire is, there may be ever one of their line to sway the sceptre of these kingdoms to the world's end. — And I beseech, and do heartily pray for the welfare and happy prosperity of the king and queen of Bohernia, with all their princely issue. I do again desire your lordships to make tender of my humble acknowledgement of his mercy and goodness. — And now lastly, That you will not bend your eyes, so much upon me, as your hands and hearts to heaven in prayers for me; and so I take my last farewell of your lordshipl and the world."
                
                    Then he went again to his private prayers; which being done, he prepared himself for death, striving to shew the like courage and magnanimity which he had formerly done, unto the last: but sight of the headsmsm (whom yet he freely forgave, and took him by the hand, bidding him do his otfice manfully) together with the apprehension of his near approaching end, made him somewhat to change colour, and shew some signs of trembling passion; for his hands shook a little in undoing his bandstrings; which his man perceiving, stept to him and hclpi him, as also off with his doublet. Then taking leave again of the lords, the doctors, and his man, saying a very short prayer by himself, he pulled down his handkerchief over his face, and laid his head upon the block; which was taken off at one blow.

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Around 8th October 1647 [his former wife] Anne Stanley Countess Castlehaven [aged 67] died.

John Evelyn's Diary. 25th November 1682. I was invited to dine with Monsieur Lionberg, the Swedish Resident, who made a magnificent entertainment, it being the birthday of his King. There dined the Duke of Albemarle, Duke of Hamilton [aged 47], Earl of Bath [aged 54], Earl of Aylesbury [aged 56], Lord Arran [aged 24], Lord Castlehaven [aged 65], the son of him who was executed fifty years before, and several great persons. I was exceedingly afraid of drinking (it being a Dutch feast), but the Duke of Albemarle being that night to wait on his Majesty, excess was prohibited; and, to prevent all, I stole away and left the company as soon as we rose from table.

Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses

Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.

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[his daughter] Dorothy Tuchet was born to Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven and Elizabeth Barnham Countess Castlehaven. She married in or before 1635 Edmund Butler 4th Viscount Mountgarret, son of Richard Butler 3rd Viscount Mountgarret.

[his daughter] Lucy Tuchet was born to Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven and Elizabeth Barnham Countess Castlehaven.

[his son] Mervyn Tuchet 4th Earl Castlehaven was born to Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven and Elizabeth Barnham Countess Castlehaven. He married after 1649 Mary Talbot Countess Castlehaven, daughter of John Talbot 10th Earl of Shrewsbury and Mary Fortescue Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford, and had issue.

[his son] George Tuchet was born to Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven and Elizabeth Barnham Countess Castlehaven.

[his daughter] Mary Tuchet Lady Wingfield was born to Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven and Elizabeth Barnham Countess Castlehaven. She married in or before 1675 her sixth cousin Henry Wingfield 4th Baronet, son of Richard Wingfield 2nd Baronet and Mary Wintour, and had issue.

Biography of Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven 1593-1631

Royal Ancestors of Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven 1593-1631

Ancestors of Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven 1593-1631