My wife's ancestors - Sidney - Contents

Spencer

• References:
  • MARLBOROUGH in [Burkes Peerage]

William Spencer, 2nd Baron Spencer, born 1591.
He mar Penelope Wriothesley [descendant of Edward III].
Seat at Althorp, Northamptonshire (pronounced "Altrop").
They had issue:

Henry Spencer, 1st Earl of Sunderland, born 1620.
He mar 1639 to Dorothy Sidney [descendant of Edward III].
Before the marriage, the poet Edmund Waller had made an unsuccessful attempt to win Dorothy's hand at marriage. He wrote love poetry to her, addressing her as "Sacharissa". But she declined him.
Henry was created 1st Earl in June 1643.
He was killed fighting in the Civil War in Sept 1643.
When she was an elderly dowager, Dorothy asked Waller "when he would write such fine verses on her again?" He replied "Oh, madam, when you are as young again!"
She died 1684.
See portraits of her.
They had issue:

Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland, born 1641,
had issue:

1. Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland,
   born 1675.