Protestant Exiles from France/Volume 2 - Book Third - Chapter 7 - Section II
II. The Baroness Eland.
Esther Hervart, sister of the Baron d’Hervart, was the wife of Charles de la Tour Marquis de Gouvernet, who was the son of the former Marquis by Madelaine de Vignolles. He is described as “a gentleman of a very ancient family and a most plentiful fortune in Dauphine.” Himself and Esther his wife, and Esther their daughter, first come to our view as residents in Paris and worshippers in the Huguenot temple at Charenton. It is of the daughter that I am now to speak. She was born in 1666, and, being rich and beautiful, she was regarded with interest at a very early age. She was introduced to the notice of the famous Earl of Halifax, by his brother, Henry Savile, then the British Ambassador at Paris, in a letter dated Paris, 25th February 1680: — “My great assiduity at Charenton has gained me a general acquaintance and kindness amongst the Huguenots; and as generally the women are most pleased with such a proceeding, I have got into the friendship of the gravest. They all think themselves unhappy by being of a persuasion different from the Government, apprehending daily greater calamities than they yet lie under, that most of them are disposed to marry their children rather into England and Holland than in France. Amongst this number there is one who will give 200,000 crowns down, paid in London and in English crowns, viz., £25,000, with a very pretty daughter as modestly bred as I have ever seen.”
Negotiations for a marriage with the Earl’s son were commenced in due time. In 1682 the ambassador was annoyed that his brother on being created Marquis of Halifax did not ask for an additional earldom, and that thus he had no second title for his son except Lord Savile of Eland. As a diplomatist he was nervous lest the young and important lady should think the title of Lady Savile beneath her acceptance. This led to the decision that the young lord should adopt the courtesy title of Baron Eland. The marriage of Henry Lord Eland and Demoiselle Esther de la Tour took place in April 1684; but he died in 1688 without issue. His will was altogether in favour of the Huguenot widow, who proved it on 8th June, not without opposition. The will was disputed unsuccessfully, probably by the Marquis, her father-in-law, who was likely to make a struggle to retain the Savile heir-looms and portraits. She herself survived till 1694, and was buried in Westminster Abbey on May 26 of that year. Soon after her husband’s death she had made a will in her mother’s favour, the date being 5th January 1689 (n.s.). It was proved by the Dowager Marquise de Gouvernet, but not till 13th December 1709.