Anne Stuart Percy, Lady Warkworth (c.1745 – 20 January 1813), also known as "Lady Percy" (Countess Percy), was the first wife of Hugh Percy, later Duke of Northumberland (1742–1817).[1] She is known for her association with the novelist Laurence Sterne, with whom she may have had an intimate relationship.[2]
Anne Stuart Percy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Anne Crichton-Stuart c.1745 |
| Died | 20 January 1813 (aged 67–68) |
| Nationality | Great Britain |
| Spouse | |
| Parents |
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Biography
editAnne Crichton-Stuart was the third daughter of John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, and his wife Mary.[3] She married Percy on 2 July 1764, when she was still in their teens, two years before his father was raised to a dukedom and he gained the title "Earl Percy".[1] At the time of their marriage, he was known as "Lord Warkworth". The ceremony was conducted by Bishop Stone the Primate of Ireland.[4]
Before and during her marriage, there is evidence of Lady Warkworth's friendship with Laurence Sterne, and she is thought to be the woman to whom he refers in his diary as "Sheba".[2] Lord and Lady Warkworth had no children, and were legally separated in 1769. Servants and acquaintances later testified that Percy had not visited his wife since 1771.[5][4]
In 1779, Percy applied to the House of Lords for a divorce, on the grounds that his wife had committed adultery with a Mr Bird while he was abroad.[6] Servants were called to testify to Lady Percy's relationship with a Mr Bird of Coventry, whom she had met at Southampton while visiting her sister, Lady Augusta Corbett.[5] She did not oppose the divorce, which was granted.[4][7] Shortly afterwards, Percy married Frances Julia Burrell.
References
edit- ^ a b "Percy, Hugh, Lord Warkworth (1742-1817)". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ a b Sterne, Laurence (2006). A sentimental journey through France and Italy; and, Continuation of the Bramine's journal: with related texts. Indianapolis: Hackett Pub. Co. p. 62. ISBN 9780872208001.
- ^ Charles Mosley, ed. (2003). Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd. p. 608.
- ^ a b c Journals of the House of Lords. H.M. Stationery Office. 1776. pp. 548–9.
- ^ a b "Parliamentary Journal". The Westminster Magazine, or, the Pantheon of Taste. T. Wright: 52–3. 1779.
- ^ "House of Lords Journal Volume 35: January 1779 Pages 546-557". British History Online. HMSO 1830. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ The European Magazine: And London Review. Philological Society of London. 1786. p. 472.