The birth of the wife of the celebrated General Monk, who so much influenced her husband throughout her life, was extremely low: her father is said to have been a blacksmith, and all her connexions of the meanest description. But she possessed a mind of great energy; and in his most important affairs her husband consulted her as his best adviser. Her temper was ungovernable, owing to her want of education, and her manners always retained their original coarseness. She was a resolute and unshrinking friend, as well as an implacable enemy, and she held Lord Clarendon in the most bitter detestation, which she never tried to conceal: her passions were, when roused, more powerful than her reason, and her resentments were beyond all bounds.

Her loyalty was a striking feature in her character, and her counsels had no inconsiderable share in bringing about the Restoration; it is said that the list which General Monk presented to the King, soon after his landing, had been dictated by her, and the privy councillors who were recommended were of her choosing. A dream of Anne Clarges is related, which it is not impossible had some share in influencing wavering spirits to embrace the royal cause. She imagined that she saw a great crown of gold on the top of a dunghill, which a numerous company of brave men encompassed, but for a great while none would break the ring.