Countess Margaret SAWYER of Pembroke

Born: 166x at ?
Died: 1746 at ?

GGGFather: Sir Edmund SAWYER b1540 m. Jane (Agnes) FISKE
GGFather: George SAWYER of Cawston, Norfolk b. c1560 m. Anne HILL
GFather: Sir Kgt Edmund Charles SAWYER b1579 m. Elizabeth PARKHURST

Father: Sir Robert SAWYER 1633-92 59yo (a college friend of Samuel PEPYS)
Mother: Margaret SUCKELEY (dates? dau of Ralph)

Spouse: (m1684) Thomas HERBERT, 8th Earl of Pembroke 1656-1733 77yo

Children (7 sons, 5 daus): See Descent Chart below ...

pub'd 1 Aug 1800 by Edward HARDING of London, d/l ===>>

Responding to the popularity of the PBS 'Downton Abbey' series of 2011-6 (filmed at Highclere Castle), PBS released the show 'Secrets of Highclere Castle' 11 Mar 2013. In it they displayed a portrait of Countess Margaret (blue dress, see below) hanging in the dining room, explaining that it carries a somber family legend; moving it will spell disaster for the Carnarvons, which is why she 'remains a perpetual guest'. The HERBERT family had acquired Highclere estate via descent. In 1692 Sir Robert SAWYER, a lawyer and college friend of diarest Samuel PEPYS bequeathed the stuccoed mansion (and lands) to his only daughter Margaret.

Above is a portrait of Countess Margaret SAWYER painted in the 1690s by Sir Godfrey KNELLER and is in the Petworth House Collection, but it was copied by Michael DAHL I 1656-1743 (b. Stockhom, d. London) for Highclere, using a blue dress and slightly different pose and face, I'll try to find a still shot but in the meantime see the link below to 'Secrets of Highclere Castle' (youtube, 9:35min in, this image d/l).

Another site on 'Paintings at Downton' (link) said this was painted by the famous artist Sir Godfrey KNELLER, and that the DAHL painting was done later 'in competition' with better known KNELLER.

Dahl's blue-dress version is the one (hung at NW corner of Dining Room at eye level, just above serving shelf, visible in many Downton Abbey scenes) featured in 'Secrets of Highclere Castle' (cf link below) when Lady Fiona was discussing Margaret SAWYER and the 'curse' if her painting is ever removed (and thus she is a 'permanent house guest').

This reminded me of the staircase shot because of the striking red dress, but is actually of Lady Anne CAPEL, Countess of Carlisle 1674-1725.

Above is the painting in the beautiful hand-carved staircase (carved of solid oak, took 2yrs?) called 'Mrs. Musters as Hebe, Cupbearer to the Gods' (1782) by Sir Joshua REYNOLDS. It is just below the 18C Belgian [Story of] 'Meleager Tapestry' which is visible from the balcony of the gorgeous cathedral-ceiling'd 'Saloon'.

OK, on the Su 7 Feb 2016 episode of Downton Abbey ('hospital war reaches a climax' i.e. granny wants to keep cntl, others want it to merge w/nearby cities so more svcs), the family opens their home for 8-9hrs to the community for a small fee to raise much-needed money. Mary ends up leading a tour and while pointing to the above picture (in the stairwell) says 'this is a Reynolds'.

OK, above is the copy of Mary SAWYER's portrait, at right just above lamp table i.e. lady in blue w/low-cut dress. I still need a nice closeup of it, but see 'Secrets of Highclere Castle' (link below, or search youtube.com) at 9min 35sec.

Another website on 'artwork at Highclere' said the Dining Room has 3 pics of ladies; 1 Anne Clifford of Dorset, Pembroke and Montgomery, done orig by van Dyke, cp by Phillips, 2 Anne Sophia, Countess of Carnarvon by van Dyke, and 3 Mary Sawyer by Keller. I think #1 is one not shown here (get pic) of a lady in a blue dress (behind butler's head). When I search #2 name, other pics don't match any above. I can't so far find a good image of the one by the lamp in above pic.

The beautiful cathedral-ceiling'd 'Saloon' (3 storied [30m 100' high] atrium w/sky lights) was designed for the 4th EoC and is 'the heart of the house, both physically and socially'. The 'double library' was popular at that time, was used by the 4th EoC as a 'withdrawing' room (by himself and for private mtgs), and today contains 5650 bks, some as old as from the 16C. The 5th EoC was buried at the site of an Iron-Age hill-fort on the grounds of Highclere Castle (pic?).

Highclere lies at a crossroads between Winchester and Oxford, London and Bristol, built on a chalk ridge of high land and guarded by an ancient route between Beacon Hill and Ladle Hill. Just to the S is Siddown Hill, topped by an 18C folly [architectural feature], Heaven's Gate. The views to the N [include] Newbury [and] the spires of Oxford beyond ... There had been a settlement at Highclere for thousands of years, including an Iron Age fort at Beacon Hill, and the land had been owned by the bishops of Winchester for 800yrs before passing into secular hands [under 16C K Henry 8] and then in late 17C to the HERBERT family, Earls of Pembroke (LA p16). In Oct 1866 Disraeli (then CoExch, later PM 2x) had visited, exclaiming 'oh how scenical!' (p18). By 1895 (5th E's wedding), the Carnarvon's were 'one of the grandest and best-connected families in late-Victorian England' (LA p6). 'In 1895 the Empire was at its peak, Q Victoria was 2yrs away from her Diamond Jubilee [60yrs], and Britain was, w/o question, the most prosperous and powerful country in the world. It was a time of peace, progress and supreme self-belief. The [coming] threat to the old ways was as yet scarcely perceived' (68, it came from new technology and the larger pol. forces of 'socialism, revolution and war' p87).

I'd like to quote here an article I read recently (Chronicles? Econ?) that explained how, ironically, the Brits have evolved toward democracy (rule by Parliament) from their earlier oligarchy (rule by the monarch and his leading lords) while America has devolved the other way i.e. from our ideals in republican 'rule of, by, for the people' toward de facto centralized, top-down rule by elites (w/o mercy or restraint). Hmmm, where WAS that?

Highclere Castle and actual location v. fictional Yorkshire one in 'Downton Abbey' series

floor plan

Portrait of Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of Carnarvon
and gson of Countess Margaret (d/l, cf wiki)

Descent Chart

1 Margaret SAWYER d1746 m1684 Thomas HERBERT, 8th Earl of Pembroke 1656-1733 77yo, a leader, 1st Lord of the Admiralty 1690-2 ... dedicatee of Locke's 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding' ... dark pic, youthful look ... cf wiki
- 2.1 Henry H, 9th EoP c1689-1750, eldest and heir
- 2.2 Hon. Robt SAWYER H d1769, inherited Highclere
- 2.3 Hon. Chas H
- 2.4 Hon. Thomas H c1695-1739
- 2.5 Maj-Gen Hon. Wm H c1696-1757 m. Catherine Elizabeth TEWES d1770
  - 3.1 Henry H, 1st E of Carnarvon 1741-1811 70yo, inherited Highclere 1769 from his uncle, red pic above, displayed in center of library, also pic in orange robe, white hair, hanging near stairwell (pic?), prominent Whig aka Lord of Porchester m. Lady Elizabeth Alicia Maria WYNDHAM. This 1st E hired the famous landscape designer Capability BROWN to design and develop the beautiful grounds plan.
    - 4.1 Henry George H, 2nd EoC 1772-1833 61yo (wiki), pic w/blu-red uniform, Whig pol, Eton m1796 Elizabeth Kitty ACLAND d1813, they had 3d 2s. This E had Highclere remodelled from the old Elizabethan brick manor into a Georgian mansion late 18C and early 19C (LA p17).
      - 5.1 Henry H, 3rd EoC 1800-49 (wiki) , British writer, traveller and Tory pol, hired architect Chas Barry (of English Parliament fame) to redesign and rebuild Highclere (i.e. he 'pulled down the old house' p76), turned it into a Victorian mansion (1st stone laid 1842, took 12yrs, gothic turrets were 'in', 'as early Victorian arch. turned to medieval [romantic] influences in a backlash against the classical designs of the 18C ... masculine feel ... an aesthetic that prizes solid style and soaring immensity over prettiness' LA p17), pic looks like Scrooge's nephew, brown suit, sitting, elbow on desk m1830 Henrietta Anna Howard-Molyneux-Howard d1876, 3s 1d
        
        6.1 Henry H, 4th EoC 1831-90 59yo (wiki), prominent conservative pol, pic w/mutton chops, nickname 'Twitters' for nervous tics, twitchy behavior, served under PM Lord Derby, by Oct 1866 (Disraeli's visit) he was Colonial Sec'y, which satisfied his great love of travel (Australia, S Africa, Canada, Egypt, New Guinea ... often on his own yacht, LA p19), He possessed considerable intellectual curiosity and was one of the foremost classical scholars of his generation, translating Homer, Aeschylus, Dante, and served in 3 Conservative cabinets (under Derby, Disraeli, Salisbury, 19). He was a man of principle and protested (resigned w/Robt PEEL) DISRAELI's 1867 Reform Bill (giving commoners the franchise), settled Vancouver Island v. Canada dispute on RR bridge, feared 'rising Kaffirdom v. White Civ' in S Africa, his harsh policies there led to the Boer Wars, later disputed PARNELL on Home Rule c1885. During his life, Highclere became a 'hub of power' as he and his wife hosted many social and political mtgs. He was 'sincere, kind and quick-witted' (LA p19). He m1 Lady Evelyn STANHOPE d1875 (dau of E of Chesterfield, m. Sep 1861 at Westminster Abbey, 1st time that honor had been given to non-royals in many centuries), 1s 3d, m2 1878 Elizabeth 'Elsie' Catherine HOWARD 1856-1929 (his 1st cousin), dau of Henry HOWARD 1802-75, 2s
        
        w/Evelyn
        
        7.1 Winifred b1864 m. (just before the Jun 1890 d. of 4th EoC) Herbert GARDNER (the future Lord Burghclere p25, their dau Evelyn was the 1st wife of the famous author Evelyn WAUGH)
        
        7.2 George Edward H of Tutankamun fame [1922 discovery w/Howard CARTER], 5th EoC 1866-1923 (wiki) aka 'Porchy', a nickname from his courtesy title, Lord Porchester, only 8yo when his mother d., perhaps explaining his 'sense of emotional self-containment, [which] his own son later commented upon' (LA p21), Famously discovered (w/Howard CARTER) King Tut's tomb in Egypt, d. Cairo after a mosquito bite got infected after he accidentally cut it while shaving m. (We 26 Jun 1895 at St Margaret's Church, Westminster) Almina Victoria Maria Alexandra WOMBWELL, illeg. dau of millionaire banker Alfred de ROTHSCHILD (see Rothschild descent chart in br-wow), 1s 1d (she remarried after his d1923)
        
        8.1 Henry George H, 6th EoC 1898-1987 (wiki) m1 Anne Catherine Tredick WENDELL d1977, 1s 1d, they div. 1936, he then m2 actress/dancer Tilly LOSCH 1939-47
        
        9.1 Henry H, 7th EoC 19xx-xx (wiki) horse racing mgr for Q Eliz II and one of her closest friends
        
        10.1-2 earlier sons d. young?
        
        10.3 George Reginald Oliver Molyneux H b1956 (wiki) British peer, godson of Q Eliz II, succeeded 2001, also 2nd in line for Earldoms of Pembroke and Montgomery m1 1989 Jayne M WILBY 1s 1d div. 1998, m2 Fiona J M AITKEN 1s the Hon. Edw H b1999 (Fiona wrote a bk on Almina)
        
        10.x other kids of 9.1?
        
        9.2-? others?
        
        8.2 Lady Evelyn Leonora Almina 'Eve' H 1901-80 m. Sir Brograve BEAUCHAMP 2nd Baronet
        
        7.3 Margaret b1870
        
        7.4 Victoria 'Vera' b. 30 Dec 1874 (Evelyn never recovered from this birth, d. 25 Jan 1875, Q Victoria became V's godmother, even tho she herself had been 'a recluse' since Albert's Dec 1861 death, LA p21)
        
        w/Elizabeth Catherine
        
        7.5 Hon. Aubrey H, father of Laura, 2nd wife of Evelyn WAUGH
        
        7.6 2nd son name?
        
        6.2 Hon. Dr. Alan H, French 'Legion of Honor' award for his medical svcs in Franco-Prussian War [of yr?], stayed there for career
        
        6.3 Auberon 'Aubrey' H
        
        6.4 Mervyn
        
        6.5 a dau (b?) m. Earl of Portsmouth (and was a 'devoted aunt' to the 5th EoC, p8)
      - 5.2 son
      - 5.3 dau
      - 5.4 dau
      - 5.5 dau
    - 4.2 Capt. Hon. Chas H 1774-1808 sailor
    - 4.3 Very Rev. Hon. Wm H 1778-1847 botanist
    - 4.4 Lady Frances H c1782-1830 m. Thomas MORETON, 1st E of Ducie
    - 4.5 Rev. Hon. George H 1789-1825 vicar of Tibenham, Norfolk (hmmm, related to famous writer Geo H? hero of C S Lewis)
    - 4.6 Hon. Algernon H 1792-1855 antiquary
  - 3.x other children of 2.5?
- 2.6 Hon. John H
- 2.7 Hon. Nicholas H c1706-75
- 2.8 Lady Catherine H d1716 m. Sir Nicholas MORICE, 2nd Baronet
- 2.9 Lady Margaret H d1752
- 2.10 Lady Elizabeth H
- 2.11 Lady Anne H
- 2.12 Lady Rebecca H m. Wm NEVILL, 16th Baron Bergavenny

8th EoC George R O M HERBERT and his 2nd wife Fiona are the hosts of the popular Downton Abbey PBS show, written by their friend Julian FELLOWES (hmmm, maybe include or link list of cast and program notes?). Lord Carnarvon's uncle, his mom's bro, is Hon. Malcolm WALLOP, WY rancher and 3-term US Senator. Highclere requires about $1M/yr to maintain and each Downton Abbey episode cost #1M to produce! The $ from the series has been VERY helpful (incl. 100s of 1k's of visitors, 60k/yr in 2013). They still have a staff, tho much smaller than the one portrayed on the show.