Mary Rich, Countess of Warwick

Mary Rich, Countess of Warwick ( 1625–1678 ) was the seventh daughter of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork and his second wife Catherine Fenton.^[1] She was born in Youghal in 1625, and after her mother's death raised by relatives in Mallow, before becoming a Maid of Honour to Henrietta Maria.

She was noted for exceptional stubbornness and independence: her father called her " my unruly daughter" and was entirely unable to control her. He arranged a marriage for her with James Hamilton, later 1st Earl of Clanbrassil, but Mary , who was only thirteen, refused to marry on the grounds of her aversion to him, and no threat or argument would change her mind.^[2] Two years later she secretly made a love marriage with Charles Rich, 4th Earl of Warwick, who at that time was a penniless younger son. Her father relented sufficiently to provide a dowry.

Charles unexpectedly inherited the Earldom in 1659, and thereafter Mary lived mainly at Leigh's Priory near Felstead, where she helped to raise her husband's three nieces. As the years passed she became increasingly devout, spending much of her day in prayer and meditation. Leigh's Priory became a resort for bishops and clergy. Her diaries record her religious fervour; they also reflect bitter quarrels with her husband, whose temper was ruined by chronic ill-health, and the tragic deaths of their son and daughter. They were however reconciled before his death in 1673 and he left her all his property, an unusual decision for the time.^[3] Mary died five years later, and by her own wish was buried " with no pomp".

References

1. ^ Fell Smith, Charlotte "Mary Rich" Dictionary of National Biography Volume 48
2. ^ Fraser, Antonia Mary Rich, Countess of Warwick History Today Volume 31
3. ^ DNB

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Name	Rich, Mary
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Date of birth	1625
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Date of death	1678
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