Venetia Stanley

Venetia Stanley was born the daughter of Edward Stanley of Tong Castle by his wife Lucy Percy.  In about 1620, Kenelm Digby, the 17-year-old son of Everard Digby (executed in 1606), became engaged with Venetia, but his mother Mary (Mulsho) Digby disapproved the relationship and sent him abroad.

Upon his return in 1623, he was knighted. But meanwhile Venetia had been busy herself.

Richard Sackville, the 3rd Earl of Dorset was married to Anne Clifford the daughter of the Earl of Cumberland and they had one daughter Margaret Sackville in 1614.  Richard however had a wandering eye, and took up with the younger Venetia probably sometime around 1620 to 1624.  She was a celebrated beauty and he had children of her, while his wife still lived.  He died 28 Mar 1624 at Dorset House, but not before he had settled upon Venetia an annuity.

Venetia now without her patron, took up the offer of Kenelm and they married in 1625.  The annuity however went unpaid, and Kenelm sued for it and recovered it.  Venetia died suddenly in 1633.  After her death, to avoid the public eye, he retired into Gresham College.  He finally died thirty years later on 11 Jun 1665