Birth of Arabella Churchill, Mistress of James II

Birth of Arabella Churchill, Mistress of James II

Arabella was born in Devonshire, on 23rd February 1648,
She was the eldest child of Sir Winston Churchill and Elizabeth Drake.

Arabella’s father was a Royalist during the English Civil War and a Member of Parliament.

Sir Winston Churchill is an ancestor of the larger-than-life twentieth-century prime minister of the same name.

In 1663, Arabella was sent to court to be a Maid of Honour.
This was a common practice for teenage daughters of the nobility.
Arabella became lady-in-waiting to Anne Hyde, the Duchess of York.

James Duke of York, began his adulterous affair with Arabella, around 1665, while he was still married to Anne Hyde.

As the King had not had any children, James was the heir presumptive and held quite a lot of power.

People were slightly surprised at James choice of mistress.
Arabella was often described as a “tall creature, pale-faced, and nothing but skin and bone.”

She often displayed her quick wit and lively intelligence which bound James to her through ten years and four children.

After giving birth to the first of their four children in 1667, James gave Arabella a lavish house in St. James Square, and an annual pension.

This was fairly normal for royal relationships.

The children were given the surname FitzJames, which literally translates to “son of James”.

The “Fitz” surname was incredibly common for royal children born out of wedlock, and was used by countless monarchs and royals throughout the centuries.

When James’ wife Anne Hyde died in 1671, Arabella was a huge comfort to him.

Their relationship ended in 1673 with James’ marriage to his second wife, Mary of Modena.

Arabella would go on to marry Charles Godfrey in 1680, and had three more children with him.

Arabella and Charles lived happily together for more than three decades.
Charles died in 1714, at the age of 67.

Arabella survived het husband by 16 years, dying in 1730 aged 82. died in 1730 at the age of 82,
She was buried in her brother’s tomb at Westminster Abbey.

Notably, Arabella’s brother John Churchill and his wife Sarah, also attached themselves to a royal.

Sarah was close friends with the future Queen Anne, and John’s military prowess during his reign earned him the title of Duke of Marlborough, as well as the stately Blenheim Palace.

Arabella is one of the Spencer family’s ancestors, including the late Princess of Wales.

? Portrait of Arabella Churchill, mistress of James II of England c.1660s
Mary Beale.