Dorothea Jordan - Relationship With William IV

Relationship With William IV

Pretty, witty and intelligent, Jordan soon came to the attention of wealthy men. She became the mistress of William, Duke of Clarence, later King William IV, in 1791, living with him at Bushy House, and seemed to have not bothered herself with politics or the political intrigues that often went on behind the scenes in royal courts. She continued her acting career, and made public appearances with the Duke when necessary. Together they had at least ten illegitimate children, all of whom took the surname FitzClarence:

  • George FitzClarence, 1st Earl of Munster (1794–1842), created Earl of Munster in 1831.
  • Henry Edward (27 March 1795 – September 1817) (no issue)
  • Sophia Sidney, Baroness De L'Isle and Dudley (August 1796 – 10 April 1837) married Philip Sidney, 1st Baron De L'Isle and Dudley.
  • Lady Mary Fox (19 December 1798 – 13 July 1864), married General Charles Richard Fox (no issue)
  • Lieutenant General Lord Frederick FitzClarence GCH (9 December 1799 – 30 October 1854), officer in the British Army
  • Elizabeth Hay, Countess of Erroll (17 January 1801 – 16 January 1856) married William Hay, 18th Earl of Erroll
  • Rear-Admiral Lord Adolphus FitzClarence GCH, ADC, RN (18 February 1802 – 17 May 1856) (no issue)
  • Lady Augusta Hallyburton (17 November 1803 – 8 December 1865) married, firstly, Hon. John Kennedy-Erskine, 5 July 1827, married secondly, Admiral Lord Hallyburton
  • Lord Augustus FitzClarence (1 March 1805 – 14 June 1854); rector at Mapledurham in Oxfordshire. Married Sarah Gordon and had issue.
  • Amelia Cary, Viscountess Falkland (21 March 1807 – 2 July 1858) married Lucius Bentinck Cary, 10th Viscount Falkland

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