Cassandra Ridgeway (Willoughby)

The 15th July 2025 marks the 350th anniversary of the death of an owner of Middleton Hall, Cassandra Ridgeway, the wife of Sir Francis II Willoughby.

Cassandra was born in 1598 and was the daughter of Thomas Ridgeway, Treasurer of Ireland, Baron of Torrington and Earl of Londonderry, and Cicely MacWilliam, who had been a maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth I. Cassandra and Sir Francis were married in October 1610 at Rathfarnham Castle in South Dublin, Ireland. It was also written that, on 30th October 1610, at the same time as his marriage, Sir Francis was knighted at Dublin Castle by Sir Arthur Chichester. In the immediate years after the marriage, Sir Francis went travelling alone around Europe. This was because Cassandra was only 12 years old at the time of the marriage. On his return in 1615, Sir Francis and Cassandra received Middleton Hall as their principal residence from his parents, Bridget and Sir Percival Willoughby. It remained as their main residence for the rest of their lives. They are reported to have lived a quiet and peaceful life at Middleton.

Lady Cassandra Willoughby (née Ridgeway). Courtesy of Lord Middleton.

Following Sir Francis’ death in 1665, Cassandra received Middleton Hall as her dower residence. This meant that she managed the entire manor and had complete control over all activities on the Estate. She also presided over the manorial court, the records of which are titled as “the Court of Cassandra”.

Cassandra died at Middleton Hall and was buried with her husband in the Willoughby vault beneath the altar of Middleton Parish Church. Her grandson, Thomas Willoughby 1st Lord Middleton, erected a large funerary memorial in the Church and the top panel of this memorial was dedicated to Cassandra and her husband. It was written in Latin and the following is a translation of the text:

Here lie Francis Willoughby and Cassandra; he was descended from the ancient family of the Willoughbys; these both shine with a splendid birth, since she was the daughter of Thomas Ridgeway, a partner from Londonderry. Do you want readers to know other things? Shall I enlighten you in this respect? He showed restraint of his emotions, courteous manners, a singular care for religion and led a blameless life in every respect. She, with her most excellent gifts of mind and body left behind for posterity an example of a most blessed virtuous marriage. He, with his persistent vigour and concern, reorganised, repaired, restored the family affairs, which were not merely shaken, but indeed almost ruined. She sharing in the same fortunes, having followed in her husband’s footsteps, having attained his perceptiveness and wisdom, added to, went about, and uniquely accomplished the noble virtuous duties she had followed; she bore her husband children: Francis, buried here; Letitia, who is with the Lord Wendy, wife of Thomas, a Knight of the Bath; Catherine, wife of Clement Wistanley shield-bearer. They left behind the fruitful days of their life. He died age 76 on 7th December 1665, while she after 76 years, on 15th July 1675.

Funerary monument for Sir Francis I Willoughby and his wife Cassandra, Francis Willughby FRS and his son Francis, 2015. Photograph taken by Debbie Jordan.

After Cassandra’s death, Middleton Hall unusually continued as a dower residence as it had been granted as such to Emma, the widow of Cassandra’s son Francis Willughby FRS.

Further Reading: Tim Birkhead, The Wonderful Mr Willughby, 2018.

W. A. Shaw, The Knights of England, vol. 2, 1906. p.150.

Author - Debbie Jordan, Middleton Hall Volunteer.

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