William in the words of others | during his lifetime

[These two pages are growing slowly: see Page History below.]

Although they were written in private diaries, journals and letters during William’s lifetime (1768-1835), most of the passages below were not published until the 20th century.  Few of these people ever met William or knew much (if anything at all) about the reality of his life.

For obituaries and death notices in newspapers and magazines, visit William’s obituaries with notices of other deaths.

All the texts below have been copied from secondary sources and each needs to be checked with the original manuscript or newspaper. There will probably be some typos alongside mistranscriptions.

The texts are listed by date, from 1779 to 1835.

1779   William Beckford at Fonthill, 18 December:

  • How often when angered by stupidity in very shape, have I wished for the little C. [William], that child, who, I can assure you, has five times the sense, taste, and discernment of the whole circle put together in which I am at present fated to move.

1780   William Beckford, 16 April:

  • his [William’s] wild roving eyes instinct with the brightest fancy and yet softened by tears […] His countenance one moment appeared as lively as light; the next, a dark shade came over it, and those eyes, which but the last instant sparkled with vivacity, now glistened with tears.

1781   William Beckford at Paris, 22 February:

  • Of all the human creatures male or female with which I have been acquainted in various countries and at different periods he [William] is the only one that seems to have been cast in my mold. When I first began to know him the pleasing delusion would often suggest itself of our having been friends in some former existence. You know he was never so happy as when reclined by my side listening to my wild musick or the strange stories which sprang up in my fancy for his amusement. […] I doat upon his extasies at the harpsichord, they are so like my own […] In short all those who live move and have their being in his company are more fortunate according to my ideas than St. Peter and all his Saints in the conception of a Catholic.

1783   William Beckford at Cologny, 20 October:

  • those heavenly eyes [William’s] which I cannot help believing impossible to behold with indifference.

1784   William Beckford in a letter to Samuel Henley, London 6 May:

  • Wm I believe quite lost in flowers & foolery at present, perhaps you may raise him out of the lap of idleness, but the task will be difficult.

1784   William Beckford in a letter to Samuel Henley, London 19 May:

  • Wm has been long returned from Devonshire & wastes away in the warm sun of idleness. Don’t imagine that I have indulged him as much as appearances a year or two ago might have tempted you to believe. Of late I have rated him soundly & done my utmost to check & ridicule his milenary [sic] dispositions. I suppose he will be with you next week, but not with the title of viscount, Ld not having given himself any sort of trouble to obtain the Earldom.
  • How impatient I am to know yr opinion of my friend [William] after a week or two’s scrutiny. I am in hopes it will not be very difficult for you to fix his attention to objects more worthy of it than balloon hats or silvered sashes. He has, I am convinced, the most affectionate regard for me, & the most perfect confidence in what I say to him. You may conclude, therefore, he will come into Suffolk with the strongest prejudice in yr favour, & the utmost readiness to follow your instructions. He wishes much for a harpsichord, & I beg you will have the kindness to procure one for him. Pray introduce him to Vathec, whom at present he hardly knows by name.

1785   William Beckford at Fonthill in a letter to Samuel Henley:

  • a certain young person I once thought my friend [William] has proved himself the meanest traytor & the blackest enemy.

1785  William Beckford, Lake Geneva September:

  • je me traîne vers le soir aux bords du Lac & appuyé contre les murailles de la vieille Tour de Glérolles je contemple les sombres teintes d’un Ciel de Tempête réfléchi dans l’abîme des eaus […] les flots gagnent, couvrant le rivage — — je me retire — — — ils me poursuivent en mugissant — je les vois s’épuiser en rosée futile, se briser à mes pieds & disparaître comme les voeuxs & l’attachement de mon indigne Ami [William]

[towards evening I drag myself to the shore of the lake and, leaning against the walls of the old tower of Glérolles, contemplate the sombre hues of a tempestuous sky reflected in the waters’ depths […] the waves surge, covering the beach — I draw back — they pursue me with a roar — I see them wearing themselves out in a froth of spume, breaking up at my feet and vanishing like the vows and affection of my unworthy Friend]

1787   William Beckford in his journal, Lisbon 4 June:

  • This day three years ago I little dreamt of ever having a conference with friars in Portugal. I was then on the high road to fame and dignity, courted by Mr. Pitt, fawned upon by all his adherents, worshipped and glorified by my Scotch kindred, and cajoled by that cowardly effeminate fool William Courtenay.

1789 Times, 27 January:

  • Bath. | January, 15. | […] We hear that Lord Courtney has sent to this city, for an eminent back-ground painter to give some finishing strokes to a few pictures at his mansion-house.

1789 Derby Mercury, 30 July:

  • Lord Courtney, who came of age on Thursday last, came at the same time into possession of an estate of 25,000l. a year.

1790   William Beckford, London 5 February:

  • Le fameux est toujours dans son Chateau en Devonshire — il compte pourtant bientot de paroitre en plein Parlement & se fait faire une Voiture qui lui coutera deux milles livres sterling. — C’est un bardache, s’il en fait jamais; il se pare comme une poupée et se farde comme une p— et vient de refuser une très belle femme avec une dotte enorme.

[The dandy [William] is still at his castle in Devonshire – but he’s planning to appear at Parliament when it meets and he’s spending two thousand pounds sterling on having a carriage made for him — There’s a fairy if ever there was one; he dresses up like a doll and paints himself like a whore … and he’s just turned down a fine-looking woman with a huge dowry.]

1790 Public Advertiser, 12 March:

  • The new carriage of Lord Courtenay is considered as a matrimonial preparation:— indeed nothing but a Lady can be the excuse for so much splendour. The hammer-cloth only is estimated at 300 guineas!

1790 Times, 16 March:

  • Lord Courtney’s New Carriage will cut a fine figure at Morocco, where it is said his Lordship is soon to go; — the appearance of a magnificent English Nobleman, for the first time at that neglected Court, as an Ambassador Extraordinary, cannot fail to be of great service to the garrison of Gibraltar. By accepting the appointment, his Lordship may have more private amusement, and be of more public utility, than any traveller has yet been of his rank and age.

1790 Public Advertiser, 5 June:

  • Lord Courtenay has just built a very smart poney phaeton, in as complete a stile as possible, in all respects.

1790 Times, 5 June:

  • London. | The King’s Birth-day. | Gentlemen’s Dresses. | Lord Courtenay. | A silk suit, with a very elegant embroidery in silks and stones. His Lordship wore one of the most elegant swords we ever saw. The hilt was of solid gold, ornamented with a brilliant steel sword knot.

1790   Ann Robinson in a letter to her brother Frederick Robinson, Saltram 17 July:

  • Lord Courtenay’s Fête begins with a Masquerade on the 2d of next month, a Concert on the 3d and a Ball the 4th the only thing wanting will be company, many people have returned his ticket and note of invitation, he has offended a great many by the part he took in the contest for the county Mr Rolle and Mr Bastard went to ask his interest, he told the former he should give his vote for him, and Sir Charles [Bampfylde], upon which Mr Bastard said he had nothing more to say and walked off, there was no harm in his voting for who he pleased, but he was very rude to them both, said nothing else to them and did not ask them to come in or set down,

1791 Times, 23 July:

  • Lord Courtney will without a doubt one day make a very conspicuous figure in the Senate — for at present | ——– He handles, with peculiar grace, | The snuff-box, tooth-pick, and the tooth-pick-case.

1791 Times, 5 October:

  • Lord Courtney has added another string to his knees, in hopes to catch Miss Pultney. But it is not the outward and visible sign that she wants — he must have inward and spiritual worth.

1792  Robert Fulton in a letter to his mother, Devonshire 20 January:

  • This morning I rec’d a package of letters from Philadelphia among which were one from you, one from Abraham and two from Mr. Morris, one of which was for Mr. West. In Consequence of my leaving London on June last for to do some business for Lord Courtney In Devonshire which is about 200 miles from London The letters by some accident have not reached me till now.
  • last summer I was Invited by Lord Courtney down to his Country seat to paint a picture of him which gave his Lordship so much pleasure that he has introduced me to all his Friends.

1792 Evening Mail, 9 March:

  • Lord Courtenay adopts the distinction prevailing only amongst the highest ton, of having, besides the ordinary attendants of a carriage, a sort of state page in a livery belonging to some second title, or alliance of the family. His descent from Charlemagne, which is still acknowledged by the Emperor of Germany and the King of France, may supply an apology for this pomp. | Is it the defect of nature or of education which so often brings our young Nobility as criminals, into a Court of Justice? Within these twenty months we have had four Noble Lords tried — though two have been acquitted, there is a disgrace annexed to the company they kept, to bring themselves into such shameful situations.

1792 Waterford Herald, 21 April:

  • Lord Courtney, remarkable for his taste, has thrown a glass frame, as a canopy, over his balcony, at his house in Grosvenor-square.

1793  Records of “a meeting of the principal inhabitants of the parishes of Kenton and Powderham, held at the Dolphin, in the town of Kenton”, 2 January:

  • That, the thanks of this meeting be presented to the Right Honourable Viscount Courtenay, for his strenuous exertions in disseminating the principles of loyalty, and particularly for his republication (and distribution in this neighbourhood) of  “A plain and earnest Address to Britons, especially Farmers,” &c. [text by Arthur Young, published as a pamphlet in November 1792.] That the thanks of this meeting be given to the Rev. Richard Polwhele, for the excellent sermon he preached on the 30th of December 1792, for the promotion of religion and loyalty, and that he be requested to publish the same.

1793   European Magazine & London Review, reporting a Grand Gala in London on 18 January to celebrate queen Charlotte’s birthday:

  • Of the Carriages, those of Lord Kenyon, the Duke of Montrose, and Lord Courtenay, were most conspicuous.

1793 Bath Journal, 21 January:

  • London, January 19. | The Prince of Wales was obliged to absent himself from both Ball and Drawing-room, on account of his late indisposition. | The Ladies hair was chiefly dressed high and wide; some few wore their hair straight before and down the sides. The Gentlemens hair was dressed in general pretty full. | The Caps were mostly made of sattin and blond, with feathers and flowers appropriate the dresses. They were low, but ornamented with high plumes of feathers; the effect of them was peculiarly becoming, and added to the native charms of the lovely wearers. | Several Ladies wore Constitutional ear-rings, which are circular, with a drop and festoon; and inscribed with this motto in enamel — Roi-loi-foi. | Necklaces were not much worn, excepting those ladies who could sport brilliants. | Lord Courtenay’s equipage was the most splendid and expensive of any other. The liveries and hats were magnificent. The latter had a broad gold lace on them, embroidered with fleur de lys, and were ornamented with scarlet feathers and large tassels. The hats cost the enormous sum of 15l each!! | A War seems more certain than ever. As a step preparatory to it, Lord Amherst has been appointed Commander in Chief of the British Forces.

1793 Evening Mail, 29 May:

  • Lord Courtenay’s new coach displays more heraldry than the Gala suit of Sir Isaac Heard at an installation.

1793  Lady Stafford (lady Margaret Beckford’s aunt) to her son lord Granville Leveson Gower, Whitehall (Westminster) 31 May:

  • […] I think you will like to have an Acct. of a Ball at Mr. Byng’s last night. There were two or three and twenty Couple; […] But I will return to the Ball, which lasted till five in the Morning. The Dancing went on with great Spirit, the Ladies had plenty of Partners, and there was a famous good Supper. […] Lady J. Paget look’d vastly well; she goes this Night to a Ball at Lord Courtenay’s, to which our Excuse is to go, but as the Uxbridge family are to leave Town on Monday, Lady Uxbridge consents to Lady J. going to two Balls de suite.

1794 Ipswich Journal, 11 October:

  • An elegant silver cistern, the property of Lord Courtenay, is now at Goldsmith’s Hall to be tried; its weight is 1200 ounces, and cost about 800l.; it is of a boat shape, and stands upon 4 ft. and is richly chased; its height about 3 ft. and will hold 30 ga’s.

1796  Gabriel Christoph Benjamin Busch, Versuch eines Handbuchs der Erfindungen | Tanzkunst:

  • Im Jahr 1791 bezahlte Lord Courtenay, auf zeinem Landsitz Powderham, einem Künstler 100 Guineen oder 600 Rthlr. dafür

In the year 1791 at Powderham, his country seat, lord Courtenay paid an artist 100 guineas or 600 Reichstahler for such [decorating a dance-floor with flowers, festoons and other designs in chalk – the artist may have been Robert Fulton]

1796   sir H. Bate Dudley (owner & editor of the Morning Herald), Vortigern and Rowena:

  • Lord C-tn-y: – I sawe it fluttering o’er a bank of violettes, gaier than a May-born butterflie! If our Naturalists looke not to it, we shall loose, I feare, the stocke of this sweete non-descript in cold extinction; for, by the masse, it seems too delicate, t’endure the vulgar toiles of procreation!

1797 Kentish Gazette, June 20:

  • The report intended marriage of Lord Viscount Courtenay to the youngest of the Countess of Jersey’s daughters is regarded with wonder and amazement in the fashionable male circles of the Capital. Whilst they admire the adventurous intrepidity of the Noble Lord, they are equally struck with the condescending complaisance of the lovely Lady. | The many instances of conjugal infidelity, and improper alliances, that daily appear, are glaring proofs, if any were wanting, of the sad depravity of the times. There seems to be an universal relaxation of moral and religious duties.

1797 Observer, 13 August:

  • It has been rumoured by mistake, that Lord Courtenay was about to be married to one of Lord Jersey’s daughters.

1799   John Swete in his journal, quoting phrases from Horace, Oxton May:

  • [Powderham:] a more miserable and offensive Village is scarcely elsewhere to be found […] loathsome from filth and penury […] putrid exhalations from stagnant waters, pools and ditches, heaped up with a mass of offensive matter […] ruinous, discolored mud walls, without doors, and damp, dirty rooms within, demonstrating from their effects on the countenances of those who made them their abode, variety of wretchedness […] it would give me more delight, was I the Lord of Powderham to see it [Swete’s idea of ‘rendering such a Village Picturesque’] realized, than to have it in my power to boast that the taste and expence which I had lavished on a gala fete, were equal to those of Lucullus; or that my Gardens, might have been produced as rivals to those far-famed of the Phaeacian Alcinous.
  • I speak as a Clergyman, who would be solicitous for the welfare of his flock; and who is fully satisfied that his most earnest exhortations to the poor dependants, to be zealous after God and to attend their Church, would have but a momentary effect, when He [William], who should set them an Example was –

Parcus Deorum Cultor, et infrequens [a casual and occasional worshipper]

Reflexions of this sort, have at times rendered the situation of my Friend irksome to him [John Andrew, rector of Powderham]: but considerations of gratitude and consanguinity have enforced their suppression: –

At nunc non erat his locus! – [but now is not the time for these matters]

1800   Silvester Treleaven in his diary, Moretonhampstead 24 March:

  • Rev Wm. Clack [William’s cousin who was ordained in 1806, so probably an error for Rev Thomas Clack] and the two Church-Wardens collected the Town for the above purpose [fund to ease ‘the distresses of the Poor’ in Moreton-hampstead]. Lord Courtenay subscribed ten Guineas.

1800   Exeter Flying Post, 14 August:

  • His Lordship [William] embarked on board his elegant barge […] accompanied by another barge having a band of music on board. A cannon was immediately fired, the band struck up “God Save the King” and the boats got under weigh.

1801 Hull Packet, 16 June:

  • His Majesty’s Birth Day. | General Observations. | Lord Courtney’s was as usual among the most splendid of the new carriages. The Court was not quite so crowded as it had been on former occasions, but still it was very full, and the dresses were splendid, and many of the ladies beautiful.

1801   Silvester Treleaven in his diary, Moretonhampstead 16 July:

  • Moreton Fair, Cattle in general sold high. This Day Lord Courtenay and Lord Geo. Thynne [husband of William’s sister Harriet] visited Moreton, Lord Courtenay gave two guineas to the Ringers and one Guinea towards Mardon Down Amusements.

1802 Cork Mercantile Chronicle, 11 June:

  • London, June 5. | The King’s Birth-day. | […] St. James’s street never presented a more gay or busy scene than it did yesterday. The string of carriages reached at one time from the Palace up St. James’s-street, Albemarle-street, and half-way up Bond-street. Many splendid equipages were displayed. Lord Courtenay’s attracted much notice. Lord Mexborough displayed a new carriage, and a well appointed equipage; many other new carriages also made their appearance. The windows and balconies of St. James’s-street were covered with beautiful women, most elegantly dressed, and the street itself was filled with them viewing the persons in full dress going to Court, for which they had a full opportunity, as the carriages could move but very slowly. It was long past four before all the company could reach the palace, and it was past seven before they could retire. […]

1802 Western Flying Post, 2 August:

  • Weymouth, July 30. | On Tuesday arrived here from Powderham, the Dolphin yacht, a very fine vessel belonging to Lord Courtenay, with his Lordship’s servants and baggage on board; and the next day his Lordship and suite made his entry for the first time into Weymouth.

1803 Jackson’s Oxford Journal, 11 June:

  • [The King’s Birthday] This Drawing Room was one of the most fully attended ever known. — A greater number of beautiful well-dressed women never was collected together. — Among the most beautiful were the Countess of Antrim, Lady A. M. Stanhope, Mrs. Clarke, the Countess of Conyngham, Duchess St. Alban’s, the Miss Croftons, Miss Allens, Mrs, Dupree, and Lady Dungannon. The Countess of Antrim went in great state, in a chair with six footmen and splendid liveries. Mr. St. George Caulfield went the same. The Duke of York went in great taste with guards; Lord Courtney was, as usual, distinguished for the splendour of his liveries and carriage! The new carriages were numerous, and the equipages splendid.

1803  Journal de Paris, Nouvelles étrangères, December 18:

  • Londres, 1.er décembre. […] M. Luke-Wite, le plus riche particulier de l’Irlande, vient d’offrir à lord Courtenay, d’acheter, pour 900,000I st. (21,000,000I tourn.), tous les biens que sa famille possède dans cette île.

[London, 1st December. Mr Luke White, the richest individual in Ireland, has just offered lord Courtenay 900,000 pounds sterling (21,000,000 pounds tournois) to buy the whole of his family’s estate in that island.]

1804 Bury and Norwich Post, 9 May:

  • Court of Chancery. | Lord Viscount Courteney v. Godsall. — This was a Bill filed by Lord Courteney, against the defendant, who is a coachmaker in Long-acre, […] Mr. Richards and Mr. Leigh for the defendant; “The mere account of the charges in this case, can furnish no ground for the Court’s granting this injunction. Lord Courteney is well known as a man of extraordinary taste, and the gratification of it must necessarily be attended with extraordinary expence. His carriages, as Mr. Godsall swears, were of the most sumptuous description. They were lined with real gold and silver lace, with coronets of solid silver round the top, and the most eminent artists were employed in every part of the work.”

1804 Morning Post, 29 May:

  • The Parisian Prints boast, that two of the French Generals carriages, for the Coronation, are to cost each upwards of 1500l. — What is this, compared to the price of one of Lord Courtney’s carriages, for common use only!

1804 [Pennsylvania] Lancaster Intelligencer, 28 August:

  • From the Alexandria Expositor. | The Friends of Monarchy are constantly ringing in our Ears, the splendor which dazzles their judgments in the Capital of England. Forgetting that, where there is one Lord Courtney, who can expend in a single Feast 100,000 dollars, there are hundreds and thousands incapable of procuring the necessaries of life, and who are compelled to meet Disease and perhaps Famine, almost houseless and naked. We acknowledge Republican America displays none of these scenes; we hope in God she never may; for they are inseparable from each other.

1804   Silvester Treleaven in his diary, Moretonhampstead 18 September:

  • Lord Courtenay and two of his Sisters arrived here, about 12 noon, walked to North Bovey, returned and dined at the London Inn, and for the great attention paid them, his Lordship very politely proposed giving Mr. Hancock a New Sign (His Arms) which was accepted by the latter.  After dinner they took a view of the Church walk’d in the Century [a field], gave the Ringers a Guinea, and sat off for Ford about six in the evening

1805 Lancaster Gazette, 16 March:

  • A suit has been commenced against Lord Courtenay, to recover from him an estate of 16,000l. per ann. to which the adverse party, of course, says he has not any right; in the event of his defeat, the main rates will considerably augment the evil. His Irish property, if undiminished, will in a very short period amount to 70,000l. a year.

1805 Observer, 9 June:

  • Lord Courtenay, it is stated, has been offered six hundred thousand pounds for his Irish property.

1805   mrs Parry Price from Chester in her journal, Exmouth 24 June:

  • when we got there [Powderham] it was past 2 o’clock & the housekeeper came to us to the Chaise & told us she was extremely sorry to inform us that she could not let us see the house, as his Lordship [William] had made a rule that no person should be let in after two o’clock; as he had altered his hour of dining from 7 to 3. I expressed great disappointment & the housekeeper said she was much distressed to refuse us but that she really durst not act contrary to her orders. I then begged to drive to the front of the house & through the grounds but that was also refused. I then requested to see the flower garden, having heard of it spoke of as a very fine one, she said the gardener was then at his dinner but he would soon have done & then he would wait on us. By this time Mrs Moore became so provoked by refusals that in a whisper she begged we might not see it as the[y] were allowed by everybody to be much finer at Lord Lisburn’s & we came away without seeing anything but the back part of the house, & the drive up to it, which is beautiful with a bridge over the river Exe, which runs through his grounds & we also saw his Lordship cross the yard & he came past the carriage but he never turned his head to look at us & Mrs Moore as I observed before is a very pretty elegant young woman & was extremely well dressed, as to myself I knew I had no claim to his notice but her youth & beauty I was in hopes would have operated in our favour if he had seen her. His Lordship has a good figure and was dressed in a green jacket, with a black velvet collar and nankeen pantaloons.

1806   Silvester Treleaven in his diary, Moretonhampstead 4 March:

  • Lord Courtenay visited Moreton, accompanied with one of his sisters and several other Ladies and Gentlemen. His Lordship having a desire to see the Moreton Volunteers they paraded for that purpose, he was highly pleased with their soldier like appearance and was surprised to see them go through the light manoeuvres with such dexterity, they being on the twenty days establishment only.  He dined at the London Inn, and gave a public ball and supper at the White Hart, where the table was served up in a stile superior to any thing his lordship ever saw in the Country.

1806 Richard Polwhele, The history of Cornwall:

  • In personal beauty, the superiority of the Powderham Courtenays over most families in the kingdom is well known. The present family, have incomparably fine persons.

1809  letter from lord Byron to Francis Hodgson, Falmouth 25 June:

  • [Village in Hampshire on the road from London to Falmouth] On Hartford Bridge we changed horses at an Inn where the great Apostle of Paederasty Beckford! sojourned for the night. We tried in vain to see the Martyr of prejudice, but could not; what we thought singular, though perhaps you will not, was that Ld. Courtney [sic] travelled the same night on the same road only one stage behind him.

1809  Joseph Farington in his diary, Dawlish 24 September:

  • While we were on the Beach a beautiful vessel passed near the Shore which we were told was a Yatch [sic] belonging to Lord Courtenay

1809  Mr. Tripe, landlord of Tripe’s Inn at Dawlish, as recorded in Joseph Farington’s diary, 26 September:

  • I had some conversation with Mr. Tripe, our Landlord, respecting Lord Courtenay. He spoke of His Lordship’s property as being now very great notwithstanding His vast expenses. It was amusing to hear His notion and report of it. He sd. Lord Courtenay’s debts were nearly paid off  & that while His estates were in the hands of Trustees they allowed him £10,000 a year. He asked me if I knew what His debts had amounted to, & then told me between 5 & 6 milions [sic]; that estates in Ireland had been sold but such was his property there that what had been disposed of was only in the proportion of a thumb to the whole Hand, when compared to what His Lordship still posessed [sic] in that country. — He sd. Lord Courtenay’s property is now £90,000 a year. He asked me if I saw that Yatch [sic] belonging to His Lordship, which sailed past Dawlish on Sunday, & said it had cost Lord C. £30,000. –Such were the floating ideas in Tripe’s mind, who appeared to be much looked up to by the inferior people of the place and such is the kind of information which is frequently recd. from persons living within reach of the influence of persons of property.

1809  Joseph Farington in his diary, Torquay 29 September

  • He [sir Lawrence Palk] has a House for His own use fronting the Harbour. Upon an eminence above it Lord Courtenay has built a House but it remains unfinished.

1809   Joseph Farington in his diary, Brixham 3 October:

  • A trait of the inconstancy and extravagance of Lord Courtenay was mentioned to us. After having indulged a fancy to build a House at Torquay so far as to have erected and covered in [sic], He gave it up and resolved to build one at Brixham. The ground was measured and preparations made, when He again adopted a new fancy which at present is to build a House near Lord Borringdon’s [sic] at Saltram. When He last came to Brixham He had with him twenty-four Servants and fifteen Horses. Such is the extravagance & frivolousness of the representative of one of the most noble of our English families. [See 1810 for a different account of the Torquay episode, also reported in Farington’s diary.]

1809  conversation with William Adams and sir Walter Elford, as recorded in Joseph Farington’s diary, Totnes 8 October:

  • Lord Courtenay’s great property is in Ireland, & is estimated to be worth £750,000, chiefly in the neighboroud [sic] of Limerick. He sold a nook of His estate in that country for £205,000.

1810 Morning Advertiser, 28 August:

  • Southampton is a scene of great gaiety at present, and several Noblemen and Gentlemen there amuse themselves with sailing in their own beautiful yachts. Among these are Lord Craven, Mr. Chamberlaine, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Fitzgerald, and Lord Courtney. The vessels are generally moored in Cowes Road. Lord Courtney’s crew in the article of dress rivals all competition. The florid account of Cleopatra’s aquatic excursions is a trifle, compared to his Lordships arrangements.

1810   Mr Yard, apothecary at Chudleigh, as recorded in Joseph Farington’s diary, 10 October:

  • Mr. Yard called in the evening and spoke of reports respecting Lord Courtenay which are daily becoming more particular. Many of the neighbouring gentlemen refuse to hold intercourse with him; but several respectable families still continue to visit Him. Powderham Castle, where he resides, is abt. seven miles from Chudleigh. He proposed to build a House at Torquay & to reside there occasionally, & the walls of the House were raised and covered in but the people of the place reviled and insulted His servants in terms so opprobrious & this was done with such perseverance that the scheme of finishing the House was given up, & it remains a monument of the public opinion against Him. [See 1809 for a different account of this episode, also reported in Farington’s diary.]

1811  London daily newspaper, The Star, 11 January:

  • Lord Viscount Courtenay embarked on board his yacht a few days ago, and set sail, it is supposed for America.

1811  Charles Skinner Matthews in a letter to lord Byron in Malta, Cambridge (England) 13 January:

  • Such is the depraved state of our island. Nay, I am even informed, and yr Lordship will hear with horror, that even the women rival our sex in irregularity of passion & that there are many among them, in the higher classes, who find in their own gender all that they wish for. A Lady of very high rank is mentioned to be very strongly thus addicted. By the way I should mention a report current this last day or two that Ld. Courtenay has set sail on his Yacht for America. His Devonshire exploits have become so notorious that the magistrates have intimated to him that he is in considerable danger.

1811  The Mirror of Fashion in London daily newspaper, Morning Chronicle, 15 January:

  • Lord Courtenay’s motto is –“Ubi lapsus? Quid feci.”

1811  London daily newspaper, Morning Post, 17 January:

  • Lord Courtney’s estates in England and Ireland, produce a clear rental to his Lordship, of fifty-two thousand pounds per annum.

1811  Welsh weekly newspaper, The Cambrian, 19 January:

  • London | Saturday, January 12: Lord Viscount Courtenay, it is said, has sailed for America.

1811  English weekly newspaper, Lancaster Gazette, 2 February:

  • Lord Courtenay, who has suddenly embarked for the Continent, is the subject of general conversation. […]

1811  London daily newspaper, Morning Chronicle, 25 February:

  • It is understood that Lord Viscount C. whose precipitate retreat from this country has been the subject of such general conversation, took shipping at Liverpool, with the intention of visiting, as it is said, the Brazils. As Lord C. has declined appearing to answer the charges laid before the Magistrate, a bill of indictment will, it is said, be preferred against him at the ensuing Assizes for the county of Devon.

1811  English weekly newspaper, Bury and Norwich Post, 13 March:

  • Lord Courtenay’s elegant mansion in Portman-square, was on Friday disposed of by private contract to the Princess Sophia of Gloucester

1811 Morning Chronicle, 29 March:

  • A Bill of Indictment has been preferred at the Exeter Assizes, against a Noble Peer, for the commission of a detestable crime, which the Grand Jury of the county of Devon have found “a true Bill.” A similar return has been made on an Indictment for the same offence, against William Fryer, a servant of his Lordship. And two other indictments have been preferred against his Lordship for attempts — which the jury have also found “true Bills.”

1811   Percy Bysshe Shelley in a letter to Thomas Jefferson Hogg, London 8 May:

  • you cannot breathe you cannot exist if no parts of loveliness appear in co-existent beings. I think were I compelled to associate with Shakespeare’s Caliban with any wretch, with the exception of Lord Courtney, my father, B[isho]p Warburton or the vile female who destroyed Mary that I should find something to admire;

1811   Dr Jonathan Parker Fisher, Sub-dean of Exeter cathedral, recorded in Joseph Farington’s diary, 17 May:

  • Dr. Fisher of Exeter, Brother to the Bishop of Salisbury called.– He told me Mr. Morton of Exeter, an excellent magistrate, was alone the person who by His determined conduct brought the proceedings against Lord Courtney to a point which obliged Him to secure His safety by leaving the Kingdom. Mr. Morton had solicited other magistrates to concur with Him in His exertion for this purpose but they on one or other declined it. He took the Depositions against His Lordship, one of them was to a fact,–the other to an attempt,–  Lord Courtney had affected to disregard any proceedings against Him, saying that should He be accused before the Lords they most of whom he said were like Himself would not decide against Him. Thus shameless was He in His mind; but when He was informed that the Officers of Justice were ordered to pursue Him, He lost all resolution,– wept like a child, and was willingly taken on  board a Vessel, the first that could be found, an American Ship, and passed there under a feigned name.  after He had been on board sometime He asked whether He might not be called by His own name, but was told it would be dangerous on acct. of the Sailors whose prejudice against [sic] might have had bad effects.–He had made a Will & bequeathed His vast property. One of his Sisters, an unmarried Lady, resided with Him. To Her He bequeaths £1600 a year provided she does not marry, a strong trait of His disposition & mind.

1811  London weekly newspaper, Evans and Ruffy’s Farmer’s Journal, 27 May:

  • Lord Courtenay who lately left this country in his own yatch [sic], was, according to the American Papers, at New York […]

1811 Bristol Mirror, 22 June:

  • House of Lords, Tuesday. — The House went into a Committee of Privileges; when, on the motion of Lord Lauderdale, strangers were ordered to withdraw. We understand the matter before their Lordships to be the further consideration of the case respecting the true Bill found by the Grand Jury of the County of Devon against a Peer of the realm, — (Lord Courtney.)

1811   mr justice Robert Day in his diary, Newcastle (County Limerick) 9 September:

  • the disgusting Sodomite Lord Courtenay

1811  London monthly magazine, The European Magazine, September:

  • New York Papers to the 4th ultimo [August 1811], have been received, […].Other American Papers state, […] Lord Courtenay has taken some ground about six miles from New York, on which he is erecting a splendid mansion. He has launched a grand carriage with a suitable equipage, but sees no company.

1812  British aliens living in or near New York City, as recorded in return by Federal marshal to Department of State July 20-25, with note by US Navy from 1813:

  • Courtney, Lord Vincent [Viscount], age 43, 1 year & 4 mos. in U.S., Claremont, gentleman;
  • [1813, US Navy note] 5 ft. 7½ in. [1.71 metres], age 44, fair complex., grey hair, fair eyes, Bloomingdale, gentleman.

1818 Chester Chronicle, 9 January:

  • Lord Courtney, of disgusting notoriety, has sold property in Ireland alone, since his stay in America, for 650,000l.

1818  US magazine, Niles’ Weekly Register, Foreign Articles, February 28:

  • Lord Courtenay has sold his estates in Ireland for 650,000 pounds. !

1818 Chester Chronicle, 22 May:

  • Lord Courtenay, who, some few years ago, prudentially left England for America, is now about to sell the beautiful seat he purchased there, and to leave the United States, for Italy, — a soil more congenial to his Lordship’s taste.

1821   madame Henriette Campan in a letter to Hortense duchesse de Saint-Leu, Draveil 24 October and Mantes 22 November. Madame Campan, half joking after failing to secure some of William’s costly dahlia tubers for her friend, is quoting a line by Voltaire:

  • Nous avons déjà ici des dahlias doubles d’un lilas superbe, mais le lord qui habite le château de Draveil [William] en a de toutes les couleurs qui sont gros comme des têtes de pivoines. Il a payé chaque bulbe 25 guinées, et le loup-garou les fera brûler plutôt que d’en donner à ses voisins. Je veux que tous les coeurs soient heureux de ma joie, est un vers qui n’est pas pour cet Anglais.
  • […] le vilain lord qui as acheté Draveil […] sa grille est fermée pour tout le monde.

[We already have some double dahlias here of a suberb lilac colour, but the lord who lives in the château at Draveil has them in all colours with heads as big as peonies. He paid 25 guineas for each tuber, and the rough/rude beast would rather burn them than give any to his neighbours. I wish my joy brought happiness to every heart is not a motto for this Englishman […] the scurvy lord who has bought Draveil […] his gate is closed to everybody.]

1822   A Pensioner, The Old Baily Solicitor:

  • The working class hitherto employed by the former Agents, are now totally Idle, it being the benevolent desire of the Lord of the Soil to grant a large portion of his income yearly, towards the employment of such Labourers as were born on his estate, whereby they were able to discharge the limits of their small Cabins and Gardens.
  • [1812?] Lord Courtenay being made acquainted with the depression of the times, ordered an abatement of Rent, to be extended to the Tenantry
  • Brown however was not be daunted by such a Bug-bear, he took legal advice, and his case being submitted to Lord Courtenay’s Trustees, in England, who of course communicated with his Lordship, on which, in a fews days after, an order came to Alexander [Alexander Hoskins, Agent in Newcastle], requiring him to stop any proceedings against Mr. B., signifying at the same time, that such acts were unwarrantable, and totally without the consent or knowledge of his Lordship or Trustees.
  • that Monster [Alexander Hoskins] who styled himself the Agent, and conservator of Lord C’s estates, was acting that vile part, and alienating the affections of a virtuous tenantry, from the best of Landlords

1823   William Benbow, The Crimes of the Clergy:

  • Lord Courtney, now in Paris, and who narrowly escaped the gallows, was so humane and charitable, that to this day all the poor in the neighbourhood of Exeter lament his absence;

1823 Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle, 13 October:

  • It is a remarkable fact, that the magnificent furniture, &c. of Powderham Castle (Devon), the seat of Lord Courtney, which may be said to outvie the beauties of Fonthill, are also announced for sale. Some idea of the costliness of its decorative furniture may be formed from the fact, that the carpet of the best bedroom — an exquisite Axminster, cost 700 guineas.

1824 Examiner, 11 January:

  • Lord Courtenay has taken a magnificent mansion in the Fauxbourg St. Honore, at Paris, where his Lordship lives in great splendour.

1824 Chester Chronicle, 23 January 1824, p.2:

  • The infamous Lord Courtenay resides in a splendid house, in Paris.

1826   William Bailey, Records of Patriotism and Love of Country, pp.76 & 109:

  • No transaction in our time, nor perhaps in the old time before us, has more insulted the best feelings of all his majesty’s subjects, than the connivance, on the part of the magistracy and the government, at the escape of the Bishop of Clogher. It was sufficiently disgraceful to permit Lord Courtenay to get away as he did get away, but that vile wretch was not in hold; whereas the bishop was caught in the fact, and taken before a magistrate forthwith; the witnesses were present, and were ready and willing to give their evidence to his conviction.
  • Among the great sodomites of the laity permitted by legitimacy to escape, may be instanced Lord Courtnay, who at this moment disgraces America in his residence.

1826 English Chronicle, August 5:

  • A great deal of the county Limerick is the property of absentees, the principal of whom are the Earl of Limerick, Lord Courtenay, of infamous character, Lord Mount Earl, Count de Salis, and the Earl of Egremont.

1828 Devon and Exeter Gazette, 23 August:

  • Dawlish. | “ […]  Look at that remarkable building, Powderham Castle, with its towers and turrets — its fine lawns — its extensive gardens; its owner bears one of the most illustrious names of Christendom, and traces his ancestry up to the Constantinopolitan Emperors. By what marvellous and prophetic spirit did that motto of his family, which meets the eye at every village, attach itself to his proud name —to taunt him with even grinning insult and ceaseless remorse? | Ubi lapsus? Quid feci? | A devil’s omnipresence only flashes now and then upon the agitated thought; but a family motto must be burnt and branded into the heart, and the mind’s eye must read, in watching, and waking and dreaming, “Where have I fallen? What have I done?” | It is a grand thing to see public opinion controlling, humiliating, punishing those whom the laws have not been able to reach.”

1828  Irish daily newspaper, The Freeman’s Journal, 10 September:

  • Lord Courtenay has given 400l. towards building the splendid chapel, now in a state of great forwardness, in Newcastle; it will be, when finished, the most magnificent chapel in any inland town in the south of Ireland. The style of architecture is purely Gothic, and will for ever reflect the highest credit on the inhabitants of Newcastle. Alfred Furlong, Esq., Agent to the Courtenay estate, has given 20l. towards the chapel. Lord Courtenay has also given 200l. towards building a chapel on the mountains, between Newcastle and Abbeyfeale.

1831 News, Monday 5 March, p.5: 

  • Viscount Courtenay, who finds the air of any other country agree with him better than England, has succeeded in a Committee of Privileges in making good his title to the Earldom of Devon.

1831  Henry William Paget, marquess of Anglesey and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in a letter to lord Grey, UK prime minister, 23 July:

  • These are the Peers of Limerick, all having good property in it:
    • Massey       – Opposition
    • Carbery      – Opposition
    • Courtenay  – !!!
    • Clare           – Jobber and Absentee.
    • Dunraven  – Jobber.
    • Limerick    – Arch-jobber.
    • Cloncurry  – Does not reside in [the county of Limerick].

1831  Thomas Christopher Banks, Statement with reference to the Knights Baronets of Nova Scotia:

  • But on a sudden, the present Nobleman, (a person of overmuch notoriety,) has thought fit to come forward and claim the Earldom, […]

1831   Thomas Christopher Banks in an open letter to Lord Brougham and Vaux:

  • [William] One who ought to think himself happy that his titles and estates have not been forfeited, or himself paid the debt to the law like the Lord Hungerford of Heytesbury […] never ventured to put the question of guilt to a trial […] his motto, “Ubi lapsus? quid feci?” [putting] a question which its owner avoids to leave to a tribunal of his country to answer.

1832 Taunton Courier, 29 February:

  • The Earl of Devon (Viscount Courtenay) has been for some time staying at a magnificent chateau, which his Lordship has purchased, between Paris and Fontainbleau, and where the noble Earl lives in the utmost splendour. The Earldom of Devon, to which it will be recollected his Lordship succeeded in establishing his claim soon after the accession of the present ministry, will descend, on his Lordship’s death, to Mr. William Courtenay, Assistant Clerk of the Parliament, whose eldest son, Mr. Reginald Courtenay, has recently united himself to Lady Elizabeth Fortescue, youngest daughter of Earl Fortescue, and sister to Lord Ebrington. Earl Fortescue has purchased some of the extensive estates of Lord Devon in the West of England; but the latter nobleman still possesses Powderham Castle, and other domains of great annual value, in the South of Devon.

1833 Sunday Dispatch, 6 January:

  • Honiton. […] Whose or what influence prevails in this borough, under the Reform Bill, it is difficult to say. It exhibits, beyond all precedent or contemporary example, the purity and beauty of that constitution so adored by the Eldons, Lowthers, Somersets, and whole Tory tribe. Honiton belongs to an Exile, Lord Viscount Courtenay, a man who dare not show his face in England, but who nevertheless puts, or has put during his exile, two members to represent him in Parliament.

1833 Essex & Herts Mercury, 14 May:

  • The solicitor employed to conduct the prosecution against Sir Wm. Courtenay, on the charge of his obtaining money from Thomas Strood, of the Rose Inn, under false pretences, has just returned from Paris, where it is said he attended, with his London agent, to procure an interview with the real Lord Courtenay, to enable them to prove on the trial that the gentleman who has been figuring in Canterbury is not that individual. The interview was obtained, and both gentlemen dined with his lordship. Lord Courtenay declared he knew nothing of the individual, and was equally at a loss to judge of his motives.

1833 Stockport Advertiser, 2 August:

  • The transportation of the Powderham Knight [the self-styled ‘sir William Courtenay’] is a sad stain upon the annals of a house which, unfortunately, has not of late years had much in the way of reputation to spare.

1834 English Chronicle, 9 January, p.1:

  • Among the noble absentee proprietors who have large estates in this western quarter of the county of Cork, and on the borders of the adjoining counties of Kerry and Limerick, are the Earl of Cork, Lord Egmont, Lord Arden, the Earl of Devon (late Lord Courtenay — out of the empire from moral necessity), and the Earl of Limerick. Of these Lord Arden is the only one who is represented as taking the least interest in the welfare of tenants and dependents, whom he never sees.

1834   Stendhal in manuscript notes for his novel Lucien Leuwen, as translated by H. L. R. Edwards:

  • Lord Link, sardonic character. Milord Link is a ‘bishop of Clogher’ [i.e. homosexual], but do not say so. Milord Link is exiled from England, he has four or five apartments in Montvallier [Nancy], a town which he has chosen as being too well known and discredited elsewhere. But do not mention this reason. An ironical person, but too lazy to be malicious, and a perfect hand with women because they have no other effect on him than children of seven.
  • Modèle: marquis Courtenay de Draveil. […]

1835  Thomas Raikes in his journal, Paris 28 May and 2 June:

  • On Monday, died, in the Place Vendome, the Earl of Devon, formerly Lord Courtenay, who for many years has resided abroad for reasons well known to the world. He has left no children, and his splendid fortune, with his title, go to a distant relation. The report is that he was killed by the ignorance of his French physician.
  • Earl Devon has made a singular will. He has left to his upper servant his house in the country, in the forest of Tenars, his plate, and in short all his property in France; and to his coachman, his carriages, horses, harness, and everything appertaining to his stables.

Image

  • Engraving by William Ward after painting by Matthew Peters: The Gamesters. Inscription: Lettered with title, caption “Vice whatever sex or form it may assume leadeth to destruction, – woe to the unruly youth who hath been seduced into its acquaintance”, dedication to the “…young Nobility of England…” by the publisher, and “Painted by the Revd. M. Peters R.A. / Engraved by Wm. Ward / London Pubd 1st June 1802 at I Ackermann’s Repository of Arts 101 Strand”. William is seated on the left of the table and Thomas Rowlandson on the right.

Page history

  • 2019 March 26: first published online.
  • 2020 June 13: 1831, a second comment by Thomas Christopher Banks added.
  • 2022 May 24: 1792, lines from a letter by Robert Fulton to his mother added.
  • 2023 December 13: 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794 and 1797, fourteen items from newspapers added.
  • 2023 December 15: 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1810, 1811, 1823, 1824, 1828, 1832, 1833, twenty items from newspapers added.
  • 2023 December 17: 1818, two items from Chester Chronicle added.
  • 2024 January 6: 1797, item from Kentish Gazette added.
  • 2024 January 8: 1810, item from August Morning Advertiser added in place of Morning Post; 1826 item from English Chronicle added.
  • 2024 February 4: 1806, comment by Polwhele added.
  • 2025 June 10: 1826, item by William Bailey expanded.
  • 2025 June 12: 1834, item from English Chronicle added.
  • 2025 December 21: 1831, item from News added.

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