Portrait of Frances Stewart, Duchess of Lennox and Richmond (1647-1702)

Portrait of Frances Stuart, Duchess of Lennox and Richmond
Painted c.1668 by Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680)

Frances Theresa Stewart, granddaughter of the 1st Earl of Blantyre, attended the Court of Charles II where her wit and beauty captivated him. Among his gifts to her are two beautiful pieces of furniture which are on view at Lennoxlove.

Despite the displeasure which her secret marriage to her cousin, Charles, Duke of Richmond and Lennox, in 1667 caused the King, she remained in his affections. She was the model for Britannia on the early copper coins.

On her death she left £50,000 to her nephew, Alexander, Lord Blantyre, for the purchase of a house, on condition that it be called "Lennox's love to Blantyre". He bought Lethington and renamed it Lennoxlove.