Henry Fitzroy was an illegitimate son of Charles II and his mistress, Barbara Villiers - hence the family name Fitzroy: ‘King’s son’.
King Charles II loaded Barbara Villiers - his mistress - with honours and rewards, including making her Duchess of Cleveland and granting her the estate of Malden in Surrey’.
As their children grew older they too were given titles and riches: at 9 years old Henry, the second son, was married to five-year-old Isabella Bennet, only child of the king’s favourite Lord Arlington, who left her a country estate at Euston in Suffolk and the large manor of Tottenham Court, extending from Tottenham Court Road to Highgate. To celebrate his marriage the little Henry was created Earl of Easton and later Duke of Grafton. He died in combat at the age of 27.
