16 Facts About Elizabeth Armistead

Elizabeth Bridget Armistead or Armitstead was a courtesan and, later, the wife of statesman and politician Charles James Fox.

Elizabeth Armistead began her career in an exclusive, high-class brothel in London, though which one is uncertain.

Together with Charlotte Hayes and Jane Goadby, Elizabeth Armistead Mitchell was one of the most infamous brothel-keepers of the time.

Elizabeth Armistead's standing as mistress to high nobility attracted the interest of General Richard Smith, a man of humble origins who had amassed a fortune while in command of the East India Company's army of Bengal.

Elizabeth Armistead was one of a number of celebrated courtesans kept by the duke over the years of his extended bachelorhood.

Elizabeth Armistead's desertion was reported to have caused Mrs Armistead a period of financial difficulty.

Shortly before going abroad, Mrs Elizabeth Armistead acquired the lease of a small country house in Surrey called St Ann's Hill.

Elizabeth Armistead returned to England to find the Whigs finally in power under Lord Rockingham and her friend Charles Fox in office as Foreign Secretary.

Elizabeth Armistead sold her annuities and her houses in London to help pay down his debts.

Fox and Mrs Elizabeth Armistead had no children together but often had his nephew, Lord Holland, or his illegitimate children Harry Fox and Harriet Willoughby, to stay at St Ann's Hill.

Elizabeth Armistead is a comfort to me in every misfortune and makes me enjoy doubly every pleasant circumstance of life.

Not wanting to stand in the way of such an advantageous match for him, Mrs Elizabeth Armistead offered to step aside but Fox would not hear of it.

Mrs Elizabeth Armistead understood what a scandal it would cause and insisted the marriage be kept secret.

Elizabeth Armistead often hosted company or paid visits to them.

Elizabeth Armistead died on 8 July 1842, within days of her ninety-second birthday.

Elizabeth Armistead's funeral took place at All Saints church in Chertsey.