A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Falconberg, Mary
FALCONBERG, MARY,
Third daughter of Oliver Cromwell, and second wife of Thomas Lord Viscount Falconberg, was distinguished for her talents, her spirit, and her beauty. Bishop Burnet, who styles her "a wise and worthy woman," adds, "that she was more likely to have maintained the post of protector than either of her brothers; according to an observation respecting her, that those who wore breeches deserved petticoats better; but if those in petticoats had been in breeches, they would have held faster." After the deposition of Richard, of whose incapacity his sister was aware, she exerted herself in favour of Charles the Second, and is said to have greatly contributed towards the Restoration. It is certain that her husband was, by the committee of safety, sent to the Tower a short time before the return of Charles, in whose favour he held a distinguished place. Lady Falconberg was a member of the established church, and respected for her munificence and charity.