Birth of Anne Hyde, wife of James II of England

Birth of Anne Hyde, wife of James II of England

Anne Hyde was born on 12th March 1637 at Cranbourne Lodge, Windsor Park.
She was the eldest daughter of Sir Edward Hyde, a Wiltshire lawyer, and his second wife Frances.
Not much is known about her early life, but she would have been given an education worthy of her status.
When Oliver Cromwell declared the Republic in England, and King Charles I lost his head, Anne, her mother and her siblings went to live in the Low Countries.
They first lived in Antwerp and later moved to Breda where Charles II’s sister Mary, Princess of Orange offered them a home.
The Princess appointed 15 year old Anne, as one of her maids-of-honor in 1655.

Anne became popular at the Dutch court, and her charm attracted many men.
Anne was not beautiful but handsome and voluptuous, witty, clever, intelligent and loved wearing jewels.
She had a commanding presence and stately demeanor, but was friendly, generous and good fun.
In 1656 she accompanied the Princess of Orange to her exiled brother Charles II’s court in Paris.
Here she met James, Duke of York ~ the future James II.

The couple began a passionate affair and when Anne became pregnant, James made a promise that he would marry her.
James later changed his mind, but his elder brother Charles, forced him to honour his promise,
Charles believed Anne’s strong character would be a positive influence on his brother.
An official but private marriage ceremony was celebrated in London on 3rd September 1660.
The wedding took place between 11 at night and 2 in the morning at Worcester House, her father’s house in the Strand.

James mother, the ex-queen Henrietta Maria of France, vehemently opposed the marriage, believing her son was marrying beneath him.
Mary~Princess of Orange, also found it offensive when her former lady-in-waiting married her brother!
However, the marriage turned out to be a love match and her two daughters would one day rule as queens.

Following the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II, ‘commoner’ Anne became the Duchess of York.
The couple’s first child Charles, was born on 22nd October, less than two months after the marriage.
Sadly, after becoming ill with smallpox, their little boy died before reaching the age of one.
Little Charles was buried in Westminster Abbey, on 6th May 1661.

Anne gave birth to eight children between 1660 and 1671. These children were weak and sickly.
Six of the children died after a few months or in infancy.
However, her daughters, The future Queen Mary II, and the future Queen Anne, survived to adulthood.

James, it was said, was very pleased with Anne as a wife. Courtiers began to pay homage to Anne and she won them over with her engaging personality.
Anne ran James’ enormous household with firmness, although she did love to acquire jewels and the expenses often outran the income.
She kept a select and extravagant court and was known for her wonderful parties and entertainments.

James loved his wife, but was not a man who could stay faithful to one woman.
He had many mistresses and illegitimate children.
Anne reproached James for his behavior.
Her husband’s affairs caused her deep humiliation and created intense jealousy.
She compensated by overeating and gaining a lot of weight, and as she neared the age of thirty, her personal attractions waned.

In May of 1668, Anne’s face had broken out and she had trouble with one of her legs.
She was blooded and retired to her bed as a result.
A year later, Anne was still unwell.
Her face and body had broken out again and she was so sick, she had taken to her bed and was not seen.
In late 1670, her condition was made more serious by the fact that she was pregnant again.
When she gave birth to a daughter Catherine, on 9th February 1671, her illness was in an advanced stage.

On the evening of March 30th, she became violently ill, and promptly collapsed.
Anne died the next day, on 31st March 1671, aged 34.
Her cause of death was likely breast cancer.
Her body was embalmed but had deteriorated so badly, it could not lay in state or receive public honours.

Two days after her death, Anne was interred in the vault of Mary Queen of Scots at Westminster Abbey’s Henry VII Chapel.

? Anne Hyde, Duchess of York, c.1662
By Peter Lely.
The Royal Collection.