Ralph, 1st Duke of Montagu (1638-1709) by Steven Hicks

Ralph, 1st Duke of Montagu (1638-1709) by Steven Hicks

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Ralph, 1st Duke of Montagu (1638-1709) by Steven Hicks

Ralph Montagu needed money to rebuild and refurbish his magnificent London house, which had burned down whilst he was in exile in France. The richest woman in England, being a widowed Duchess (and mad) would only remarry into royalty. Legend has it that Ralph dressed as the Emperor of China, and his servants in the same fashion, wooed and wed her.

Reading this story made me want to know more about such an audacious man. I discovered that he had brought down a prime minister, dined with Louis XIV, helped bring William I to the throne, patronised famous scientists, playwrights and painters, and managed to cap his career with the ultimate prize - a ducal coronet. His country house still stands, occupied by his descendant and full of the treasures he collected. It also holds his archive (including many bundles of debtors' bills) that has provided the foundation for this biography.

SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9781785072970
ISBN 10 1785072978
Title Ralph, 1st Duke of Montagu (1638-1709)
Author Steven Hicks
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Paperback
Publisher New Generation Publishing
Year published 2015-04-21
Number of pages 284
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.