Villiers, Barbara, Countess of Castlemaine and Duchess of Cleveland 1640-1709
English mistress of Charles II

Born in London, the daughter of the 2nd Viscount Grandison, she was a noted society hostess. In 1659 she married Roger Palmer, who was created Earl of Castlemaine as a consolation when she became the mistress of Charles II. Notorious for her amours, she became a Roman Catholic (1663) and trafficked in the sale of offices, and in 1670 was created Duchess of Cleveland. Supplanted in the King's favours by the Duchess of Portland in 1673, she moved to Paris, where in 1705 she bigamously became married to Robert 'Beau' Fielding (the marriage was annulled in 1707). She had seven children, five of whom were acknowledged by King Charles as his.