Today, we are talking about María de Salinas Baroness Willoughby de Eresby. She was a notable figure in the Tudor court. She was the mother of Katherine Willoughby who is quite famous, she was at the time primarily recognized for her very close association with Katherine of Aragon, of course, Henry VIII’s first wife.
So María de Salinas was born around 1490 in Spain and her life journey from the Iberian Peninsula to the bustling courts of England paints a vivid picture of a noblewoman navigating the complex political and social landscapes of early 16th century Europe.
As a lady-in-waiting, she was more than just a companion. She was a confidant and a loyal supporter of Katherine. She stood by her side through all of the tumultuous periods, including Katherine’s marriage to Arthur Tudor, and then the period where she did not have a husband and she was just kind of waiting to see what was going to happen to her, and then throughout her whole marriage to Henry VIII. Her role extended beyond just court duties and reflected the intricate interplay of personal loyalties and political Intrigue that characterized the Tudor period.
María De Salinas was born into a world where lineage and noble connections dictated one’s place in society. She was the daughter of Martin de Salinas, a member of the royal household of Castile and Josefa González de Salas. These prestigious backgrounds placed María within the sphere of the Spanish royal family, potentially even a distant relation, though the exact nature of the connection is a subject of historical conjecture.
Growing up in the Spain of the Reconquista, she was exposed to court life from a young age. She was exposed to lots of different cultures, warfare. She would have had this upbringing that prepared her for her future role in the English court and her family status would have provided her with an education befitting a noblewoman. Lessons in etiquette, languages, the arts, crafting her into a sophisticated and cultured member of the aristocracy.
Her transition from Spain to England was a journey marked by significant political and cultural shifts. It’s believed that she accompanied Katherine of Aragon, the Spanish princess to England in 1501. This move was not just a personal journey for María but part of a grander political narrative involving these two powerful nations, well one. Spain was at the peak of its power or close to the peak, and then England was coming out of the Wars of the Roses and trying to form these alliances that would give legitimacy to the Tudors.
Katherine Aragon’s marriage to Arthur Prince of Wales was a union meant to solidify the alliance between England and Spain and María’s presence in Katherine’s entourage signified her family’s importance in the Spanish court and their role in supporting this pivotal and diplomatic marriage. Her arrival in England introduced her to a new realm, a new language, new customs, new climate, challenging her to adapt to the Tudor court’s unique dynamics.
This transition marked the beginning of María’s significant role in the Tudor period intertwining her life with the fate of Katherine of Aragon and the unfolding history of England. In the English court, María de Salinas’s role as a lady-in-waiting to Katherine of Aragon was multifaceted and would have encompassed duties that ranged from personal assistance to acting as a confidant and adviser. She also would have been like a link back to her Spanish culture, something that was familiar. Someone that Katherine could speak to in her own language even when the rest of Katherine’s initial larger entourage would have left to go back to Spain.
Her responsibilities likely included overseeing Katherine’s daily schedule, managing her correspondence, providing companionship. María’s position allowed her unique insights into the Queen’s personal and political life, especially during Katherine’s marriage to Henry VIII. María’s unwavering loyalty to Katherine was most evident during the Queen’s most challenging times, particularly when Henry VIII was trying to annul their marriage.
Despite the court’s shifting allegiances, María remained steadfast in her support, often at personal risk. This loyalty was not just a demonstration of duty but also a testament to the deep bond that they shared. They’d been together for 25 years at this point, reflecting the profound emotional support systems that existed within the female spheres of Tudor courts.
Her devotion to Katherine was such that even when ordered to leave the Queen’s service during the imminent crisis, María sought ways to maintain contact and provide support, highlighting the depth of their relationship beyond mere courtly duty.
On June 5th 1516, María married William Willoughby the 11th Baron Willoughby de Eresby, a union that significantly elevated her status in English nobility. The marriage brought her into one of England’s most influential families and granted her a prominent position within the English aristocracy.
The couple resided at Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire, a magnificent estate that became a symbol of their wealth and status. Her life at Grimsthorpe Castle was marked by the responsibilities of managing a large household and estate – roles that required astute administrative skills.
Her marriage also intertwined her life further with the English nobility, fostering relationships that extended her influence beyond the courts. She and William had one child Katherine who later inherited the Barony and became of course Katherine Willoughby who married Charles Brandon. Their life at Grimsthorpe was filled with the typical activities of the nobility including hosting events, managing lands, and participating in local and national politics.
María’s role as Baroness Willoughby de Eresby thus expanded her influence from the intimate circles of the Queen’s chambers to the broader stage of the English noble society, showcasing her adaptability and resilience in navigating the complexities of Tudor England. María’s involvement within the Tudor politics though often behind the scenes, was significant because of her close relationship with Katherine Aragon. Her position as lady-in-waiting provided her with unique access to the inner workings of the Tudor court, allowing her to witness and at times, influence key political events.
María interacted with influential figures of the time, including Henry and members of his court. Her influence was subtly exercised often through her counsel to Katherine and her ability to navigate court politics. María’s political role was particularly evident in her interactions with ambassadors and dignitaries where she often represented Katherine’s interests. Additionally, her Spanish heritage and connection to the Castilian court provided her with a unique perspective which she could leverage in discussions and negotiations despite being a woman in a male-dominated political landscape.
María’s proximity to the Queen and her understanding of the court dynamics enabled her to play a discreet yet impactful role in the Tudor political arena. The later years of Katherine of Aragon were marked by her tumultuous annulment from Henry and during this period, María de Salinas’ loyalty and support for Katherine were unwavering.
As Katherine faced isolation, public humiliation, and the annulment of her marriage, María stood by her side offering emotional and moral support even when it could have perhaps been a threat to María herself. It would have tested her resilience and loyalty. Supporting Katherine could have potentially jeopardized her own standing at court but María was a staunch ally.
Her devotion was most notably demonstrated in 1536 when Katherine was confined to Kimbolton Castle when she heard about Katherine’s failing health. As she was dying, María defied the King’s orders and made a daring journey to be at her side. This act of loyalty in the face of considerable personal risk, underscored the depth of her commitment to Katherine.
Her presence during Katherine’s final days, where supposedly she died in María’s arms was a poignant testament to their enduring friendship and the strength of their bond. María’s actions during this period, highlight not only her personal courage but also the profound impact she had during one of the most critical moments in Tudor history.
Following the death of Katherine, María de Salinas’s life entered a new phase marked by a focus on her family and estate management. She was now a widow herself. She had lost her husband William in 1526, and actually this goes to show even more how strong she was during this period when she defied the king, because she did not have the protection of her husband to help her.
She took on the full responsibility of managing the substantial Willoughby Estates including Grimsthorpe Castle. Her role as a landowner and manager showcased her capabilities beyond the court as she adeptly handled the complexities of an estate administration in a period when such responsibilities were typically male-dominated.
Her later years were also characterized by her dedication to her daughter Katherine Willoughby who had become an important figure in her own right when she married Charles Brandon and she became Duchess of Suffolk. María guided and supported her daughter through these significant life events when she married Charles Brandon who was of course like the second most influential man in the kingdom right below Henry.
Despite the political and religious upheavals at the time, including the Reformation and the Lincolnshire Rising, María successfully navigated these challenges, maintaining control of her estates and ensuring their transition to her daughter.
She died in 1539, so only a couple of years after the death of Katherine of Aragon. So she really didn’t have that long without Katherine of Aragon. Of course, then her daughter Katherine Willoughby went on to become a lady-in-waiting to Katherine Parr and continued that tradition.
So there we go a little bit about María de Salinas.
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Heather Teysko is the creator, writer, and producer of The Renaissance English History Podcast, one of the longest running indie history podcasts, going since 2009. She's been writing about history online for over 25 years, since her first site on Colonial American history became number one in history on Yahoo in 1998. She writes books, created the original Tudor Planner (a yearly diary filled with Tudor history) and in 2019 created the world's first Tudorcon (you can "attend" online this year!). She has been passionate about Tudor England since she first read Alison Weir's The Six Wives of Henry VIII 20 years ago, and subsequently moved to London after college to spend her time immersed in Tudor history.