Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Northumberland


Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Northumberland, was a British courtier. She was one of the Windsor Beauties, painted by Sir Peter Lely.

Origins

She was a daughter of Thomas Wriothesley, 4th Earl of Southampton by his wife Lady Elizabeth Leigh, daughter of Francis Leigh, 1st Earl of Chichester.

Marriages and progeny

She married twice:
In the course of her marriage to Montagu, he inherited his father's barony and later acquired the title "Earl Montagu", making Elizabeth once more a countess. However, it was only after her death that he was created 1st Duke of Montagu.

Windsor Beauty

Elizabeth was an important patron of the artist Sir Peter Lely, who painted her several times. Her portraits were among the Windsor Beauties at Hampton Court and among the series of beautiful women portraits, ordered by Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany.