Mordaunt, Elizabeth [Cary], Viscountess Mordaunt (1632 -1679)

Elizabeth Carey, second daughter of Thomas Carey, youngest son of Robert Carey, 1st Earl of Monmouth, married John Mordaunt. An ardent royalist he conspired against the Commonwealth ruled over by Oliver Cromwell. He was sent to the Tower 15 April 1658, tried for treason and acquitted by the casting vote of the President of the Court. During the trial his wife distinguished herself in the way she helped to defend him. After his aquittal he immediately started to conspire again. In 10 July 1659 he was raised to the peerage as Viscount Mordaunt. His attempt to raise the country failed, and he fled to Calais. He died 5 June 1675, and was succeeded by his eldest son, a distinguished soldier, Charles Mordaunt, 3rd Earl of Peterborough. His widow was a friend of John Evelyn, who described her as `the most virtuous lady in the world'. She had five sons and four daughters. Lady Mordaunt died in April 1679.