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Having quarrelled with [[Thomas Osborne, 1st Duke of Leeds|Danby]] and the [[Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess of Cleveland|Duchess of Cleveland]], who denounced him to the king, Montagu was elected member of Parliament for [[Northampton (UK Parliament constituency)|Northampton]] in 1678, with the intention of bringing about the fall of Danby; but, having produced letters seriously compromising the minister, the dissolution of Parliament placed him in such danger of arrest that he attempted to fly to France. Foiled in this design, he continued to intrigue against the government, supporting the movement for excluding the [[James II of England|Duke of York]] from the succession and for recognizing the [[James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth|Duke of Monmouth]] as heir to the crown. After securing re-election to Parliament for [[Huntingdonshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Huntingdonshire]] in 1679 and again for Northampton in 1679 and 1681 his safety was then ensured by Parliamentary immunity. His elder brother having predeceased his father, Ralph became Baron Montagu of Boughton on the death of the latter in 1684. |
Having quarrelled with [[Thomas Osborne, 1st Duke of Leeds|Danby]] and the [[Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess of Cleveland|Duchess of Cleveland]], who denounced him to the king, Montagu was elected member of Parliament for [[Northampton (UK Parliament constituency)|Northampton]] in 1678, with the intention of bringing about the fall of Danby; but, having produced letters seriously compromising the minister, the dissolution of Parliament placed him in such danger of arrest that he attempted to fly to France. Foiled in this design, he continued to intrigue against the government, supporting the movement for excluding the [[James II of England|Duke of York]] from the succession and for recognizing the [[James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth|Duke of Monmouth]] as heir to the crown. After securing re-election to Parliament for [[Huntingdonshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Huntingdonshire]] in 1679 and again for Northampton in 1679 and 1681 his safety was then ensured by Parliamentary immunity. His elder brother having predeceased his father, Ralph became Baron Montagu of Boughton on the death of the latter in 1684. |
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Notwithstanding his former intrigues, Montagu gained the favour of King [[James II of England]], on his accession to the throne; but this did not deter him from welcoming [[William III of England|William of Orange]], who created him '''Viscount Monthermer''' and '''Earl of Montagu''' later in 1689, on his accession to the English throne. Montagu was no less avaricious than unscrupulous. In 1673, he married Lady [[Elizabeth Percy, countess of Northumberland|Elizabeth Wriothesley]], the wealthy widow of |
Notwithstanding his former intrigues, Montagu gained the favour of King [[James II of England]], on his accession to the throne; but this did not deter him from welcoming [[William III of England|William of Orange]], who created him '''Viscount Monthermer''' and '''Earl of Montagu''' later in 1689, on his accession to the English throne. Montagu was no less avaricious than unscrupulous. In 1673, he married Lady [[Elizabeth Percy, countess of Northumberland|Elizabeth Wriothesley]], the wealthy widow of Joceline Percy, 11th [[Earl of Northumberland]] and daughter of [[Thomas Wriothesley, 4th Earl of Southampton]], who brought him a large fortune; and after her death in 1690, he remarried the still more wealthy [[Elizabeth Monck, Duchess of Albemarle|Lady Elizabeth Cavendish]], daughter of [[Henry Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Newcastle]], and the widow of [[Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle]]. |
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Ralph Montagu's position was further strengthened in 1705 by the marriage of his son and heir to Mary, daughter of [[John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough]] and [[Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough]]. In the same year he was created '''Duke of Montagu''' and '''Marquess of Monthermer'''. His London residence, [[Montagu House, Bloomsbury|Montagu House]], [[Bloomsbury]], was bought by the government in 1753 to hold the national collection of [[antiquities]], and on its site was built the [[British Museum]]. |
Ralph Montagu's position was further strengthened in 1705 by the marriage of his son and heir to Mary, daughter of [[John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough]] and [[Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough]]. In the same year he was created '''Duke of Montagu''' and '''Marquess of Monthermer'''. His London residence, [[Montagu House, Bloomsbury|Montagu House]], [[Bloomsbury]], was bought by the government in 1753 to hold the national collection of [[antiquities]], and on its site was built the [[British Museum]]. |
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