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Louisa, Lady Bagot
Category: 18th century women’s history Published on: 12th May 2012

Louisa St John was born c1744 just as building work on Lydiard House drew to a close.  The only surviving daughter of John,...

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Lady Jane St John Mildmay
Category: 18th century women’s history Published on: 10th May 2012

When Jane married Sir Henry Paulet St John in 1786 he got more than he bargained for – a fortune and a new...

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Anne Fitzroy, Countess of Sussex
Category: 17th century 18th century women’s history Published on: 22nd April 2012

It’s hardly surprising that two of Barbara Castlemaine’s three daughters went off the rails.  What is amusing is just...

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Charlotte Fitzroy - Countess of Lichfield
Category: 17th century women’s history Published on: 13th April 2012

Charles II’s mistress Barbara, Countess of Castlemaine, wasn’t big on exclusivity.  She wasn’t what you’d call a...

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Lucy and Colonel Hutchinson
Category: 17th century women’s history Published on: 10th April 2012

When John met Lucy it wasn't her shy smile or her slender ankle that won his heart.  John Hutchinson, a 22 year old law...

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Anne Douglas, Lady Dalkeith
Category: 17th century women’s history Published on: 9th April 2012

While three St John sons famously gave their lives fighting for the Royalist cause during the English Civil Wars, another...

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Good Gentlewoman

The history of Lydiard House is woven through with the stories of remarkable women. Explore Frances Bevan's Good Gentlewoman articles and learn about the diverse and determined women of the St John family.

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