Background
Born on 25 March 1642, she was the eldest daughter of Robert Brudenell, who succeeded to the earldom of Cardigan as the second earl in 1663. Her mother was Anne Savage, the earl"s second wife.
Born on 25 March 1642, she was the eldest daughter of Robert Brudenell, who succeeded to the earldom of Cardigan as the second earl in 1663. Her mother was Anne Savage, the earl"s second wife.
Her brother was Francis Brudenell, Lord Brudenell whose daughter was Lady Frances Brudenell - later noted in Dublin for her bisexuality. Anna Maria married Francis Talbot, the Earl of Shrewsbury on 10 January 1659, and they had one son, Charles Talbot, 1st Duke of Shrewsbury born on 24 July 1660. In 1667, the countess embarked on an affair with George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, and the earl challenged Villiers to a duel.
The countess is said to have been present, disguised as a boy, and to have held the duke"s horse.
Her husband died of the injuries inflicted on him in the duel which was fought with swords at Barn Elms on 16 January 1668, and was commented upon by Samuel Pepys in his diary the next day. The sovereign, King Charles II strongly disapproved of duelling within his realm and the duke temporarily fell out of royal favour as a result.
Their affair was finally broken off in 1673. The countess went to France and spent some time in a convent.
Her legitimate son had been removed from her care.
The former Countess and George Rodney Brydges had one son George Brydges (1678-1751) also an Member of Parliament, who died childless. The former countess continued to be a famous beauty. Her portrait was painted by Sir Peter Lely and is held by the National Portrait Gallery in London.
The folk dance, "Anna Maria", is thought to have been named after her.
She was a passionate woman (harsher critics have called her a nymphomaniac): her numerous lovers included Henry Jermyn, 1st Baron Dover and Colonel Thomas Howard (younger brother of Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Carlisle): in 1662 they fought a celebrated duel for her favour in which Jermyn was left for dead and his second, Giles Rawlings, was killed.