Beau Fielding

• Posted by mgr on November 18th, 2007 filed in HISTORISCHES
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Beau Fielding was thought worthy of record by Sir Richard Steele, as an extraordinary instance of the effects of personal vanity upon a man not without wit. He was of the noble family of Fielding, and was remarkable for the beauty of his person, which was a mixture of the Hercules and the Adonis. It is described as having been a real model of perfection. He married to his first wife the dowager Countess of Purbeck ; followed the fortunes of James II., who is supposed to have made him a major-general and perhaps a count; returned and married a woman of the name of Wadsworth, under the impression that she was a lady of fortune ; and, discovering his error, addressed or accepted the addresses of the notorious Duchess of Cleveland, and married her, who, on discovering her mistake in turn, indicted him for bigamy and obtained a divorce. Before he left England to follow James, “Handsome Fielding,” as he was called, appears to have been insane with vanity. On his return, he had added, to the natural absurdities of that passion, the indecency of being old ; but this only rendered him the more perverse in his folly. He always appeared in an extraordinary dress : sometimes rode in an open tumbril, of less size than ordinary, the better to display the nobleness of his person; and his footmen appeared in liveries of yellow, with black feathers in their hats, and black sashes.

When people laughed at him, he refuted them, as Steele says, “by only moving.” Sir Richard says he saw him one day stop and call the boys about him, to whom he spoke as follows : - ” Good youths, - Go to school, and do not lose your time in following my wheels : I am loth to hurt you, because I know not but you are all my own offspring. Hark ye, you sirrah with the white hair, I am sure you are mine, there is half-a-crown for you. Tell your mother, this, with the other half-crown I gave her …. comes to five shillings. Thou hast cost me all that, and yet thou art good for nothing. Why, you young dogs, did you never see a man before?” ”

Never such a one as you, noble general,” replied a truant from Westminster. ” Sirrah, I believe thee: there is a crown for thee. Drive on, coachman.” Swift puts him in his list of Mean Figures, as one who ” at fifty years of age, when he was wounded in a quarrel upon the stage, opened his breast and showed the wound to the ladies, that he might move their love and pity ; but they all fell a laughing.” His vanity, which does not appear to have been assisted by courage, sometimes got him into danger. He is said to have been caned and wounded by a Welsh gentleman, in the theatre in Lincoln’s Inn Fields; and pressing forward once at a benefit of Mrs. Oldfield’s,’ to show himself,’ he trod on Mr. Fulwood, a barrister, who gave him a wound twelve inches deep. His fortune, which he ruined by early extravagance, he thought to have repaired by his marriage with Mrs. Wadsworth, and endeavoured to do so by gambling ; but succeeded in neither attempt, and after the short-lived splendour with the Duchess of Cleveland, returned to his real wife, whom he pardoned, and died under her care. During the height of his magnificence, he carried his madness so far, according to Steele, as to call for his tea by beat of drum; his valet got ready to shave him by a trumpet to horse; and water was brought for his teeth, when the sound was changed to boots and saddle.”

Source: Leigh Hunt: The Town; its memorable characters and events. 1859

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The next on the list is Beau Fielding. He was intended for the bar, but intending himself for nothing, his pursuit was fashion. He set up a showy equipage, went to court, and led the life of “a man about town.” He was remarkably handsome, attracted the notice of Charles II., and reigned as the monarch of beauism. He was rapidly ruined, but repaired his fortune by marrying an heiress. She died; and the beau was duped by an Englishwoman, whom he married under the idea that she was a Madame Delaune, a widow of great wealth. Finding out the deception, he cast her off, and married the Duchess of Cleveland, though in her sixty-first year. For this marriage he was prosecuted, and found guilty of bigamy. He then became reconciled to his former wife, and died, in 1712, at the age of sixty-one. He was the Orlando of the Tatler.

Source: Memoirs of the Court of England, from the Revolution in 1688 to the Death of George the Second.Vol. II. 1846.

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THE history of a fine gentleman of the reign of Queen Anne, as it throws an amusing light on the manners of the period, may not be unacceptable to the reader. Robert Fielding, the ” Orlando” of the Tatler, was a cadet of a good family in Warwickshire, and, at an early age, was sent to London for the purpose of studying the law. Vanity, however, and a taste for dissipation, gradually weaned him from his professional pursuits, and when, on an occasion of his appearing at court, his sovereign spoke of him, par excellence, as ” the handsome Fielding,” the circumstance is said to have stamped him for ever as a fop. Granger speaks of him as ” uncommonly beautiful,” and if we are to judge from the notices of him by his contemporaries, the encomium scarcely appears to be exaggerated.

Popular with the fair sex, almost beyond precedent, the sums which he received for conferring his favours on the old, he is said to have lavished profusely on the young. The gaming-table also afforded him occasional means of subsistence, and, though a vice which rarely enriches its votaries, he is said, as a gamester, to have proved unusually successful. Whatever may have been the secret means of his subsistence, he figured for a series of years, in his proper sphere, the metropolis, in dazzling, though borrowed plumes; and, by the splendour of his dress, and the fantastic liveries of his servants, appears to have never failed in attracting public attention.

His domestics are described as habited in yellow liveries, with black sashes, and black feathers in their hats. One circumstance is curious, and, moreover, affords tolerable evidence of Fielding’s self-love, that he caused himself to be painted by the three great artists of their time, Lely, Wissing, and Kneller. All three of their portraits have been engraved. The first wife of Fielding was the daughter and sole heiress of Barnham Swift, Lord Carlingford. On the death of this lady, trusting, as usual, to retrieve his fortunes by his handsome person, he paid his addresses to the celebrated Duchess of Cleveland, formerly the dazzling and scornful mistress of Charles the Second, but who, at this period, must have been verging on her sixty-sixth year. They were married on the 25th of November, 1705, and, as is usually the case where there exists such glaring disparities of age and character, their union proved unhappy in the extreme.

The reflection, indeed, cannot fail to be a melancholy one, that a woman Avho (profligate and undeserving as she is admitted to have been,) had formerly enslaved a powerful sovereign, and made him subservient to her slightest caprice, should not only so far have demeaned herself as to become the wife of a needy adventurer, but should eventually have been compelled to seek refuge from his violence in a court of law.

Fortunately, the Duchess, under somewhat remarkable circumstances, was afforded an opportunity of extricating herself from her matrimonial engagements. She had been united to her dissipated husband about a year, when rumours, in the first instance, reached her that Fielding had already another wife alive, and, some time afterwards, a female actually made her appearance at Cleveland House, who stoutly maintained the priority of her claim. An inquiry was immediately instituted by the friends of the Duchess, of which the result was a determination to prosecute Fielding for bigamy.

Accordingly, on the 4th of December, 1706, he was placed at the bar of the Old Bailey, charged, in a formal indictment, with having intermarried Barbara, Duchess of Cleveland, his former wife, Mary Wadsworth, being still alive. From the evidence elicited at the trial, there transpired the singular fact that Fielding, within the short space of sixteen days, had been united to two different women. His marriage with Mary Wadsworth took place on the 9th of November, 1705; his union with the Duchess of Cleveland on the 25th of the same month.

The circumstances connected with the case render it not a little amusing, and perhaps will excuse our introducing them somewhat in detail. It appears, then, that a young widow, a Mrs. Deleau, had been left, or was reputed to have been left, a large fortune, and that Fielding, tempted by the rumours of her wealth, had conceived the project of making her his wife. As yet he was unacquainted with even her person ; but having paid a visit to Doctors’ Commons, and discovering that report had not exaggerated her fortune, he speedily concerted his plans for obtaining an interview.

The next step of the fortune-hunter was to pay a visit to Mrs. Deleau’s seat at Waddon, where, under a pretence of being desirous to inspect the house and gardens, he was politely admitted by the owner. It seems that he was disappointed in his object of obtaining an interview with the widow ; however, at the moment he was quitting the premises, observing a lady at the window, whom he conceived to be Mrs. Deleau, he gave her full opportunity of admiring his handsome person, and retired firmly persuaded he had made the impression he wished.

On another occasion, we find him attending a horse-race on Banstead Downs, with a view of being formally presented to the widow, but, from some accident, Mrs. Deleau was prevented from being present. He even went so far as to address a letter to her; but her servants, either aware of his character, or probably not having been softened by a bribe of sufficient magnitude, allowed it to pass no further than themselves.

It appears by the evidence produced on Fielding’s trial, that, in the first stage of the proceedings, he applied to a Mrs. Streights for her assistance as a go-between. Mrs. Streights, on her part, referred him to a Mrs. Charlotte Villars, whose only acquaintance with Mrs. Deleau, was having been sent for by her, on one occasion, to cut her hair. This latter fact, however, Mrs. Villars, (who appears to have been a woman of the worst character,) carefully concealed from Fielding, and pretending that, from her intimacy with the widow, she was able materially to assist him in his views, obtained from him a promise of five hundred pounds, in the event of Mrs. Deleau becoming his wife.

Such was the commencement of a very ingenious plot, which was subsequently conducted with the most extraordinary success. Mrs. Villars having, in the first instance, procured the connivance of a young woman, named Mary Wadsworth, (whose morals appear to have been almost as indifferent as her own, but who, fortunately, somewhat resembled Mrs. Deleau in person,) she waited in due time on Fielding, and informed him that she had introduced the subject of his wishes to the widow. Mrs. Deleau, she said, had, in the first instance, refused to listen to her entreaties and arguments, but had latterly given them more favourable attention: to this she added her own conviction, that if the affair were managed with proper prudence, it would eventually terminate as he wished.

Part of Mrs. Villars’ plot, (and it is extraordinary that she should have succeeded in so completely deluding and mystifying a man of the world,) was to obtain valuable presents from Fielding, which she persuaded him were duly delivered to Mrs. Deleau. She herself admits in her evidence at the trial, - ” Diverse presents were sent from Mr. Fielding by me to the lady. The first present was a gold apron, stuck with green. That was the first present Mr. Fielding sent to Mrs. Wadsworth, whom he thought was Mrs. Deleau all the while ; but it was Mrs. Wadsworth. I did not think Mrs. Deleau, who was a great fortune, would agree to marry a man of Mr. Fielding’s character. Mr. Fielding kept sending of letters and presents from that time, from the latter end of Bartholomew-tide to my Lord Mayor’s day: he sent her a suit of white satin knots, and gloves, and other things.”

At length, having wearied the patience, and probably, very nearly exhausted the finances, of the adventurer, Mrs. Villars informed him, to his great satisfaction, that Mrs. Deleau had at last consented to an interview, and that, in a few days, she would conduct her to his lodgings in Pall Mall. ” He desired,” she says, in her evidence, ” that I would bring her to his lodgings on Lord Mayor’s day, at night, which I did about nine o’clock, in a mourning-coach. Mr. Fielding was not at home, but came immediately. When he came in, he fell down upon his knees, and kissed her, and expressed abundance of fond expressions. He asked her why she staid so long, - and whether she loved singing? He said he would send for Margaruita to come up. When she came up, Mr. Fielding bid her sing the two songs he loved; which she did: the one was, ‘ Charming Creature,’ — and the other, ‘ lanthe the lovely.’ After which Mr. Fielding sent for two pints of wine, and some plum-cakes.”

Mr. Montague, who had been retained as counsel for the prosecution, in his opening speech at the trial, thus describes the interview and subsequent proceedings : - ” The prisoner was not within at the time they came there, but, being sent for, came in soon after, and was extremely complacent for some time ; but at length, though he had been cautioned not to let the lady know they were his lodgings, yet he could not forbear showing her his fine clothes, and what furniture he had; and a little time after sent for Mrs. Margaruita to sing to her, and pretended he was so extremely taken with her, that nothing would satisfy him but being married that night. But she, with a seeming modesty, checked his forward behaviour, and made a show of going away in displeasure ; but, before they parted, he prevailed upon her to promise not to put off their marriage longer than Wednesday night.

Mr. Fielding rightly judged by this conversation what an interest he had fixed in the lady, and looking upon himself to be sure of her, he actually went to a goldsmith and bespoke a ring, and directed himself what posie should be engraved. When the day came, which had first been agreed on, sham pretences were made, not to seem over hasty in so serious a matter, and the marriage was put off till the Friday following; at which time, Mrs. Villars and the lady came again to Mr. Fielding’s lodgings, where he received them with an extraordinary transport of joy, and the marriage must immediately be proceeded on. But she for some time feigned several put-offs, and at length made an offer to have gone away, but Mr. Fielding would by no means permit her to go, without making her his own, which he was resolved should be done presently; and, to make all things sure, he ran out and locked the chamber-door, to keep her and Mrs. Villars in, whilst he went for a priest.”

This important personage was obtained by Fielding at the embassy of the Emperor, and he was married to the supposed Mrs. Deleau the same night. Mrs. Villars, in her evidence, affords some curious particulars respecting this extraordinary wedding. ” The priest,” she says, ” called for water, salt, and rosemary, to make holy water. Boucher, (Fielding’s man-servant,) brought up water and salt, but could get no rosemary. Mr. Fielding and I received it at the dining-room door. Then Mr. Fielding locked the door, and took the key on the inside.

Mr. Fielding asked Mrs. Wadsworth, whether it should be done in the bed-chamber or dining-room ? Mrs. Wadsworth agreed it should be in the bed-chamber. There were none present but Mr. Fielding, Mrs. Wadsworth, the priest, and myself. The priest made holy water, and blessed it. Then he set Mrs. Wadsworth at the right of Mr. Fielding. The priest stood before them, and read the cere-mony in Latin, as I understood; and Mrs. Wadsworth said she was not yet satisfied he was a priest. Says Mr. Fielding to her, - “Do you think my dear, that I would have anybody to do this business, but the holy father?” Mrs. Wadsworth was well satisfied till he came to that part,—’ Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife ?’ She desired it might be spoke in English by him. He did so. He asked Mr. Fielding whether he would have this gentlewoman to his wedded wife. He said, ‘Yes, with all my heart.’ He asked the lady then, whether she would have this gentleman for her husband. She said ‘ Yes,’ faintly. ‘ But, says Mr. Fielding, you must speak it so earnestly as I do : you must say with all my heart and soul.’ Which she did. Then the priest blessed the ring, and gave it to Mr. Fielding to put on the lady’s finger. He said something in Latin, but what it was, I know not. Then we went into the dining-room. Boucher brought up wine, and when all had drank, the priest was discharged.”

Boucher, Fielding’s servant, corroborates in every respect Mrs. Villars’ statement. “My master,” he says, ” ordered me to be at home, and get clean sheets, wax-candles, and sconces; and fires in both the rooms. He told me some ladies would be there that night, and ordered, if he was not at home when they came, to tell them that he would be there presently. Accordingly they came, and he was not at home, but in a little time he came, and went up to them. Some time after that, he came down stairs, in great haste, and said, - ‘Boucher, go and bespeak a dish of pickles.’ I did so, and brought over a cloth, and the rest of the things, and left them in the window. I staid by the stairs till he came back in a hackney-coach, with a priest along with him, in a long gown, and long beard, and a fur cap. I knew him to belong to the Emperor’s Envoy, and I heard Mr. Fielding call him Reverend Father. Then I was ordered to set the table, and glasses, and wine and things of that kind, upon the side-board. I waited at table all the while. When supper was over, Mr. Fielding ordered me to go down, and fetch water, salt and rosemary. I went and got water and salt, but could get no rosemary. Then I was ordered to go down, and they were locked in, about three-quarters of an hour. He then called - ‘ Boucher,’ says he, ‘will you fill some wine?’ I did so, and perceived upon the thumb of this lady, upon her left hand, a plain gold ring which before supper she had not. When this was over, the priest went away. Presently after, says Mr. Fielding, - ‘ Take the sheets from my bed, and lay them on the other bed for Mrs. Villars, and see that none lie there.’ I told my master it was done. Mrs. Villars, in the meantime put the lady to bed. When I came down to tell them of it, I saw the lady’s clothes on a stool in the chamber, and Mrs. Villars folding them up, and laying them in another room. I then lighted Mrs. Villars to bed, and then went to bed myself. In the morning I was called to make a fire. I then perceived Mr. Fielding and this lady in bed together. The fire being made, I was ordered to get a hackney-coach. Mrs. Villars dressed the lady hastily, and she was carried away in the hackney-coach.”

Under what circumstances Fielding was made aware of the impudent manner in which he had been duped, we have unfortunately not been made acquainted. As his marriage, however, with the Duchess of Cleveland took place within little more than a fortnight, the denouement could not long have been delayed. The ladies, on their part, grew, as might have been expected, exorbitant in their demands for money, to which Fielding not only turned a deaf ear, but insisted on his presents being returned. Their repeated visits to Cleveland House must have caused him not a little annoyance. At last, apparently wearied out with their importunities, he sent for Mrs. Villars, and on her refusing to deny his marriage with Mrs. Wadsworth, not only gave her a severe beating, but told her, if she still persisted in declining to comply with his demands he would slit her nose, and “get two blacks, one of whom should hold her on his back, and the other break her bones.” Mrs. Wadsworth was treated with scarcely more consideration. On her presenting herself at Cleveland House to claim him as her lawful husband, he beat her with a stick and made her nose bleed.

Fielding was found guilty at his trial and sentenced to be burnt in the hand, though he was afterwards pardoned by Queen Anne. On the 23rd of May, 1707, his marriage with the Duchess of Cleveland was annulled in the Arches Court, and from henceforth we discover no mention of either the fortune or the name of Robert Fielding.

Source: Memoirs of the Court of England, from the Revolution in 1688 to the Death of George the Second.Vol. II. 1846.

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