The Creevey Papers
Thomas Creevey, Journal entry, 13 November 1809
“Monday, 13th.—Calcraft, Wardle and Payne dine with us. . . . Wardle says he
is quite sure of succeeding both in gaining a new trial against
Wright and in his prosecution of Mrs. Clarke and Wright
for perjury, and he takes the whole business, as he has done throughout, with
the most perfect composure. I can’t bring myself to think there is
anything bad in him, and I have looked at him in all ways in order to be sure
of him. I know he is in distress for money, but all the men from his part of
the country dine with him and speak well of him. . . . In his approaching
prosecution he means to subpoena the Duke of
York and Lord Moira and
Lord Chichester about the £10,000 given
to Mrs. Clarke for suppressing the publication of the
Duke of York’s letters to her. Warren has seen these letters: they were laid
before him by counsel to advise whether they might be printed with safety to
the publisher, and he told me such stuff was never seen. They consist of the
Duke of York’s observations or information to
Mrs. Clarke concerning the Royal family—his
hatred of the Prince of Wales—his
jokes about the Queen and the intrigues
and accouchement of the Princess—all in the coarsest and most licentious
language. What a damnable piece of work the examination of these Lords and
Princes will be.
John Calcraft the younger (1765-1831)
The illegitimate son of John Calcraft (d. 1772), he was educated at Harrow and Eton and
was a member of the Whig Club and MP for Wareham (1800-06, 1818-31), Rochester (1806-18),
and Dorset (1831). He cut his throat after betraying the Tories and voting for the Reform
Bill.
Mary Anne Clarke (1776 c.-1852)
Having married a Joseph Clarke, she was mistress to the Duke of York (1803-06) and
involved with selling government offices, as came to light in an 1809 House of Commons
investigation. She spent her later years living in Paris.
Frederick Augustus, Duke of York (1763-1827)
He was commander-in-chief of the Army, 1798-1809, until his removal on account of the
scandal involving his mistress Mary Anne Clarke.
George Payne the elder (d. 1810)
Of Sulby Hall, Northamptonshire, son of René Payne; he married Mary Eleanor Grey,
daughter of Ralph Williams Grey of Backworth House, and was father of the sportsman of the
same name. Having engaged in an adulterous affair, he was killed in a duel with a Mr.
Clarke.
Gwyllym Lloyd Wardle (1762-1833)
Military officer and MP for Okehampton (1807-1811); with the assistance of the courtesan
Mary Anne Clarke he forced the resignation of the Duke of York as commander-in-chief. She
later turned on Wardle, who retired to Italy where he died.
Charles Warren (1764-1829)
Educated at Westminster School, he was chief justice for Chester and MP for Dorchester
(1819-26).
