Talk:Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin

"Mr Montgomery"
See James Prescott, explicating the Jacobite song made famous by Steeleye Span and probably a forgery by James Hogg, "Cam Ye O'er Frae France?", at http://www.telusplanet.net/public/prescotj/data/music/camyeoer.html: "'Mr. Montgomery' was the pseudonym of Godolphin, who had been until 1688 the devoted Chamberlain of Mary of Modena. His lasting infatuation for her "was of course common knowledge". There were rumours (which it was considered "in poor taste" to mention) that Godolphin's devotion might have been more than strictly official. His love probably went unrequited. Although Godolphin rose to be Lord Treasurer (the head of the government) under Queen Anne, he remained a Jacobite and corresponded with Mary of Modena in exile until his death in 1712. He frequently sent her gifts, with official government permission. Mary of Modena was the most important Jacobite after James, was very active at the time in the cause, and was the only woman publicly associated with James III in 1715. MacQuoid says, "'Montgomery's lady' may have been the lady of Lord James Montgomery, who was engaged in a plot in 1695, and who, it is likely, would be connected with the Jacobites." I do not agree with his conjecture." I do not know what weight to give these judgements, but this is I believe the only web-published explanation of the term 'Montgomery's lady' in this fine song. Diomedea Exulans (talk) 13:48, 5 March 2012 (UTC)