A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Anne Clarges
ANNE CLARGES,
Duchess of Albemarle, was the daughter of a blacksmith; who gave her an education suitable to the employment she was bred to, which was that of a milliner. As the manners are generally formed early in life, she retained something of the smith's daughter, even at her highest elevation. She was first the mistress, and afterwards the wife, of general Monk. He had such an opinion of her undemanding, that he often consulted her in the greatest emergencies. As she was a thorough royalist, it is probable she had no inconsiderable share in the restoration of Charles the Second. She is supposed to have recommended several of the privy-councillors in the list which the general presented to the king soon after his landing. It is more than probable that she carried on a very lucrative trade in selling offices, which were generally filled by such as gave her most money. She was an implacable enemy to Lord Clarendon; and had so great an influence over her husband, as to prevail upon him to assist in the ruin of that great man, though he was one of his best friends. Indeed, the general was afraid to offend her, as her anger knew no bounds. Nothing is more certain than that the intrepid commander, who was never afraid of bullets, was often terrified by the fury of his wife.