Charlotte de La Trémoïlle, the Notorious Countess of Derby

A Parliamentarian described his feelings towards Charlotte de La Trémoïlle when he wrote in the journal the Parliamentary Scout “three women ruined the Kingdom Eve, The Queen and the Countess of Derby”.This historical biography uses the letters found in the Chateau at Thouars and preserved in the French National Archive in Paris to piece together an account of her ideas and actions. Eyewitness writings are used to describe her activities during the siege by Parliamentary forces of the Royalist Lathom House. Following the end of the siege, she was exiled to the Isle of Man. A Huguenot, Charlotte lived at a time of religious and political upheaval in both France and England. She was related by birth and marriage to European royalty and aristocracy. She was the only woman sequestered by the Parliament of Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II promised her the position of Governess to his children.