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Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton

1668 – 1723

British peeress

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About Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton

Lived 1668 – 1723 (aged 54–55). Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton was a British politician.

Isabella Bennet FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton and later 2nd Countess of Arlington suo jure (c. 1668 – 7 February 1723), was a British peer and heiress.

Life Isabella Bennet was the only daughter of Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington, a Royalist commander, by his wife, Isabella of Nassau-Beverweert (1633–1718). Isabella was a daughter of Louis of Nassau-Beverweerd and thus a granddaughter of Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange, and a great-granddaughter of William the Silent. She was also a Lady of the Bedchamber and the Lady of the Robes to Catherine of Braganza.

Henry Bennet was created Baron Arlington in 1665 for his loyalty to the crown. Lord Arlington was later raised in the peerage to the titles of Earl of Arlington and Viscount Thetford, all of which were created with a special remainder to allow his daughter to inherit.

She was married at the age of four to Henry FitzRoy, Earl of Euston (later created Duke of Grafton), the nine-year-old illegitimate son of King Charles II. The wedding ceremony was repeated on 7 November 1679 and they lived at Euston Hall. Isabella and her husband had one son, Charles FitzRoy, who succeeded his parents as 2nd Duke of Grafton and 3rd Earl of Arlington.

After her husband's death in 1690 from a wound received at the storming of Cork while leading the forces of William of Orange, she remarried on 14 October 1698 to Sir Thomas Hanmer, 4th Baronet, Speaker of the House of Commons. They remained married until her death on 7 February 1723.

Other Isabella was one of the Hampton Court Beauties painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller for Queen Mary II. Isabella also walked at the coronation of Queen Anne.

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Important facts

Born
1668
Birth century
Occupation
Also known as
Isabella Bennet, Isabella Hanmer

Family & relationships

Spouse
Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton
Spouse
Sir Thomas Hanmer, 4th Baronet
Child
Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton
Parent
Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington

People in Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton?

British peeress (1668-1723)

When was Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton born?

Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton was born in 1668.

When did Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton die?

Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton died on 7 February 1723.

What was Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton's occupation?

Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton was a politician.

What nationality was Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton?

Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton

· Wikidata: Q3802267

· DBpedia: Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton. https://biography.guide/isabella-fitzroy-duchess-of-grafton/

MLA: "Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/isabella-fitzroy-duchess-of-grafton/.

Chicago: "Isabella FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/isabella-fitzroy-duchess-of-grafton/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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