The mystery identity of an illegitimate baby written about in the diaries of Samuel Pepys on 22 June 1662 has been solved by a lecturer from The University of Manchester.And the biggest surprise was that Peter Tyldesley, the man who made the discovery, is a descendant of the baby’s father.
Until now the baby’s father was unknown, and the various publications of Pepys’ diary, including the definitive edition edited by Latham and Matthews, have all failed to identify him.
Tyldesley’s research reveals that the birth of the child – who was baptised as Lisbona in the Chapel Royal – was the result of an affair conducted with the lady-in-waiting by his own ancestor, Edward Tyldesley (1635-1685).
The diaries tell us that the lady-in-waiting had just accompanied Catherine of Braganza to England for her marriage to Charles II.
“The discovery of an abandoned new-born baby was a scandal within the Royal Court at Hampton Court Palace,” said Tyldesley, “Catherine of Braganza was greatly angered by the illegitimate birth, particularly as Edward Tyldesley was already married.
“Edward Tyldesley lost all favour at Court and was obliged to pay the mother the very substantial sum of £1,500 in compensation.”
Tyldesley continued: “My family has always known that Edward Tyldesley was one of the English embassy sent to Lisbon to arrange the marriage of Charles II. But it was a complete surprise to discover that Edward Tyldesley was Lisbona’s father—and a real bonus to be able to link these events with an entry in Pepys’ diary.”
The mystery was solved by Tyldesley during research he conducted at National Archives, the Bodleian Library in Oxford and the Chapel Royal and is being published by Oxford University Press in Notes and Queries this month.
