Portrait of Frances Winchcombe (1679-1718), first wife of 1st Viscount St.John by Charles d'Agar

Frances remained forever on the periphery of her illustrious husband’s life, appearing only briefly when he entertained at their London home. Frances led a life typical of women of her status in the early 18^th century, although it was said she seldom moved in fashionable society and did not appear to have any very intimate female friends.

In 1715 the brilliant Viscount Bolingbroke, who had been instrumental in negotiating the Treaty of Utrecht bringing an end to the War of the Spanish Succession, was attainted for his subsequent alliance with the Jacobites. On March 27, 1715, Henry set sail for exile in France.

Frances stayed with the St. John’s at their home in Battersea while she waited for Henry’s return. She continued to petition the King for access to the Bucklebury estate, the property she had brought to the marriage, when gossip from France eventually broke her spirit.

Henry had taken the Marquise de Villette as his mistress and was living openly with her in her chateau at Marcilly. Increasingly long bouts of ill health followed until Frances eventually stopped eating. She died on the morning of Friday October 24, 1718 aged 39. She was buried in the chancel at St. Mary’s Church, Bucklebury.