Montagu, Ralph, 1st Duke of Montagu (1638 -1709)

Ralph Montagu, baptised 24 December 1638, was the second but eldest surviving son of Edward, 2nd Baron Montagu of Boughton and Anne, daughter of Sir Ralph Winwood. He was educated at Westminster School, was made Joint Keeper of Hasleton Lodge 23 July 1661. He was Master of the Horse to the Duchess of York, and after the death of his elder brother Edward, to Queen Catherine, in 1669. He served as Ambassador to Louis XIV 1661, 1669, 1676, and 1667-1668. He purchased the post of Master of the Great Wardrobe in August 1671. He married Elizabeth Wriothesley, daughter of Thomas Earl of Southampton, 24 August 1673. In December 1673 he was imprisoned in the Tower for attempting to force a duel on the Duke of Buckingham. He was Member of Parliament for Northampton 1678-1679, for Huntingdonshire February to July 1679, and for Northampton 1679-1680. He succeeded his father as 3rd Baron Montagu of Boughton in 1683, and was created Viscount Monthermer and Earl of Montagu 9 April 1689. His wife having died in 1690, on 8 September 1692, he married Elizabeth Cavendish, eldest daughter of Henry, 2nd Duke of Newcastle, and widow of Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albermarle. He was created Marquess of Monthermer and Duke of Montagu 12 April 1705. He died 9 March 1709.