Background
She was the daughter of Sir John Shorter (born 1660), a wealthy merchant from Kent, and Elizabeth Philipps (born c 1664). She was the granddaughter of Sir John Shorter (1625–1688), Lord Mayor of London in 1687.
She was the daughter of Sir John Shorter (born 1660), a wealthy merchant from Kent, and Elizabeth Philipps (born c 1664). She was the granddaughter of Sir John Shorter (1625–1688), Lord Mayor of London in 1687.
She was buried on the Walpole estate at Houghton in Norfolk, England. She was renowned for her extravagant lifestyle, frequently attending the opera and buying expensive clothes and jewellery, but the couple became estranged during his Prime Ministership, and he had a succession of mistresses. He lived with Maria Skerrett in both Richmond and Houghton Hall in Norfolk while Lady Walpole was still alive.
Lady Walpole"s lover at that time was reported to be Lord Hervey.
Catherine and Robert Walpole had six children. Robert Walpole, 2nd Earl of Orford (1701-1731 March 1751), who married Margaret Rolle (17 January 1709 – 13 January 1781), later the 15th Baroness Clinton, on 26 March 1724 and had one son.
Katherine Walpole, (13 May 1703 – 22 October 1722), who died unmarried at Bath, Somerset. Horatio Walpole (1704 – 24 July 1704) Mary Walpole (c 1706 – 2 January 1732), who married the 3rd Earl of Cholmondeley on 14 September 1723 and had two sons.
Sir Edward Walpole (c 1706 – 12 January 1784), who had an illegitimate daughter, Maria Walpole, who later married into the British Royal Family, becoming the wife of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh, King George III"s brother.
Horace Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford (1717–1797) Mission Catherine Shorter (1682–1700) Mrs Robert Walpole (1700–1725) Lady Walpole (1725–1737).