Episode 246 was all about Tudor Ladies in Waiting; the women who graced the court, and supported the Queen, including some of the more famous ones.
Previous episodes on Tudor Ladies in Waiting
Melita Thomas on Tudor Ladies in Waiting
The Relationships of Elizabeth I
Hello, and welcome to the Renaissance English History Podcast, a part of the Agora Podcast Network and the original Tudor History Podcast, telling stories of Tudor England since 2009. I’m your host, Heather. This is episode 246, I think. And today we’re going to talk about the ladies in waiting at Elizabeth I’s court.
A lot of these women, maybe about half of them, we’re going to talk about who were ladies in waiting. We have done individual episodes on through the years, but I realized I never put together like one whole episode just on what it was like to be a lady in waiting, what kind of jobs you had, and then some of the examples of ladies in waiting and who they were and the different scandals at court and everything like that.
So that is what we are going to talk about in this episode. Quick reminder, as always, TutorCon is coming up. We are less than two months away, you guys. It’s coming. It’s amazing. I’m so excited. Of course, all of our in person tickets are sold out. So I’m sorry you can’t come and party with us at H. Croft Hall in Richmond, but you can party with us online.
Thanks to this streaming ticket, the internet makes magic happen, right? So we have the streaming ticket, englandcast. com slash tutorcon online to see the speakers, what you get. It’s an amazing deal. Honestly, you guys, I’ve always tried to make everything I do really accessible with price because I know there’s online courses, there’s stuff out there that are super expensive.
I look at it and I think like my whole kind of reason for being with this is to make history accessible to more people. So And so the streaming ticket costs 49, there’s all the live talks, there’s extra taped talks that people are doing just for the streaming folks, there’s giveaways, uh, you’re gonna get a digital swag bag with e books and digital artwork and all kinds of fun stuff.
You’re gonna get recordings of everything, so you can go back and watch it later at your leisure if you can’t make things live. There’s a whole community of other Tudor loving friends you get to be part of. So, I think it’s an amazing deal when you look at other stuff out there and how much it costs. Uh, and it’s really been a thing of mine that I’ve tried to keep the prices down on all of this stuff.
So, with that said, Englandcast. com slash TudorCon online to score your streaming ticket. Also another quick note that this podcast is sponsored by Armour and Castings. They are a company that makes amazing, um, brooches, jewelry, accessories, basically, for if you have a Tudor costume and you want the perfect accessory to go with it.
You can check them out, tutor. armoringcastings. com, and thank you to them for sponsoring my podcast. All right, let’s get into it. You guys, today we are going to talk about the world of Queen Elizabeth I’s Ladies in Waiting. Picture this, the grand halls of Hampton Court, bustling with intrigue, whispers of scandal, and the shimmering presence of Elizabeth herself.
And then, there are the ladies in waiting. These women are no mere servants. They were the elite, the noble companions hand picked by the queen for their loyalty, wit, and sometimes for their familial connections. Imagine being at the heart of the Elizabethan court where every glance, every whispered conversation could change your fate.
Ladies in waiting were the women who stood closest to the queen, both literally and figuratively. Their lives were a blend of privilege and precariousness. Walking the tightrope between favor and disgrace. Now let’s dig into their world and see what it really means to be a lady in waiting. So what exactly did these ladies do?
Well, their duties were as varied as they were intimate. It’s early morning, for example, and the queen needs to start her day. Who’s there to help her rise from her bed, to dress her in her fine gowns, and to attend to her every need? That would be her lady in waiting. These women were responsible for the queen’s personal care, attending to her from the moment she woke up to the moment she retired for the night.
They helped her bathe in her specially crafted tub, they dressed her in her elaborate garments, and they ensured her iconic red wig was perfectly styled. And let’s not forget the delicate task of applying her famous white makeup, a mixture of lead and vinegar, Which, as we know now, was quite dangerous, was a mark of her royal status.
These roles, though, extended far beyond the bedchamber. These women were the Queen’s confidantes, privy to the most secret matters of state and personal concern. These ladies were well educated, often fluent in multiple languages, skilled in music and dance. They had to be ready to entertain the Queen with a song, a graceful dance, or a well read poem at a moment’s notice.
One particularly intriguing aspect of their work was their role in court entertainments. Picture the grand masks and dances where the ladies would wear exquisite costumes and perform alongside the Queen. Their lives were a constant performance, always under the watchful eyes of the court, and most importantly, the Queen herself.
But the life of a lady in waiting wasn’t all glamour. These women had to navigate the dangerous waters of court politics, where a single misstep could lead to disgrace or worse. Imagine the tension, knowing that every action, every word, could either elevate you in the Queen’s favour or plunge you into disfavour.
And yet these women managed it all with grace, resilience, and an unwavering loyalty to their Queen. So now we’re going to go through some of Elizabeth’s more famous Ladies in waiting, starting with Blanche Parry. It’s a name you might not have heard before, but her story is fascinating. She was born around 1507 1508 in Herefordshire’s Golden Valley.
Her family had close ties to the House of York and the Herberts of Ragland. From a young age, Blanche was introduced to the royal household through her aunt, Blanche Herbert, Lady Troy, who served in the household of Princess Elizabeth and her half brother, Edward. Blanche’s devotion to Elizabeth began when she was just an infant, rocking her to sleep with Welsh lullabies.
She was a constant presence in Elizabeth’s life, staying by her side even during the tumultuous times when Elizabeth was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Gradually, Blanche rose through the ranks, becoming the Chief Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber and the Keeper of the Queen’s Jewels. Her responsibilities were immense, from overseeing the Queen’s personal papers, to keeping to managing the Great Seal of England for two years.
One of Blanche’s most famous contributions was an elaborate piece of embroidered fabric that she donated to her local parish church in Bacton. This piece, which had served as an altar cloth for many years, was actually eventually proven to be a rare survivor from Elizabeth’s wardrobe, highlighting the deep connection and trust between Blanche and the Queen.
Next, Cat Ashley. I did a video just on her several weeks ago. Um, Catherine Chaperone was more than just a lady in waiting, she was like a second mother to Elizabeth. Born around 1502, Cat entered Elizabeth’s life when she was just a young girl. Following the execution of Elizabeth’s mother, Anne Boleyn, Cat stepped in as a governess and played a crucial role in Elizabeth’s education.
She taught her languages, mathematics, and the arts, fostering the brilliant mind that Elizabeth would later become renowned for. When Elizabeth ascended to the throne, Cat was appointed as the chief lady of the bedchamber. This was not just a title, it was a testament to the deep bond they shared. Kat was there for Elizabeth in her most vulnerable moments, offering support and counsel.
Her influence extended beyond just her duties, she was also a trusted advisor and a confidant, shaping Elizabeth’s formative years and beyond. Then there’s Mary Dudley, who was born into the influential Dudley family. Mary’s brother was Robert Dudley, the Queen’s favorite. Mary carved out her own significant role at court, though.
Her defining moment came in 1562, when Elizabeth contracted smallpox, a deadly disease at the time. Mary nursed the Queen through this harrowing illness, even contracting the disease herself. Smallpox left her scarred, a physical reminder of her sacrifice. Despite the Queen’s initial gratitude, though, the scars altered Mary’s life.
Her once close relationship with Elizabeth became strained as the Queen distanced herself from Mary. Yet Mary’s loyalty never wavered. She continued to serve Elizabeth even as she navigated the complexities of her own life, including managing her family’s financial struggles and supporting her siblings.
Then we have the famous Bess of Hardwick. What a powerhouse she was. Born Elizabeth Hardwicke, she started out life relatively modestly, but rose to become the second most powerful woman in England, right after the Queen. Her climb to power came through a series of strategic marriages. She married four times, each union bringing her more wealth and more influence.
Her most notable marriage was to George Talbot, the Earl of Shrewsbury. Together, they were tasked with the significant responsibility of keeping Mary Queen of Scots under house arrest for 15 years. This was no small feat, and it placed Bess at the very heart of Tudor politics. Bess was not just a political figure, she was also a mother and a builder.
She had eight children, all from her second marriage to Sir William Cavendish. Among her grandchildren was Arbellus Stuart, a claimant to the English throne. Whom Bess raised herself. Bess’s legacy lives on in the magnificent Hardwick Hall, which was one of the most impressive buildings of the time. And then there’s Lettice Knowles, whose life reads like a dramatic novel.
Lettice was a cousin of Queen Elizabeth, being the granddaughter of Mary Boleyn, Anne Boleyn’s sister. She entered Elizabeth’s court as a maid of honour and quickly became a favoured lady in waiting. However, her life took a scandalous turn when she secretly married Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Elizabeth’s true love.
The Queen’s fury was legendary. She felt betrayed by both Lutece and Dudley. This secret marriage led to Lutece’s permanent banishment from court. After Dudley’s death in 1588, Lutece’s life was marked by both tragedy and resilience. She lost her son, Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex, who was executed for treason against Elizabeth.
But despite these personal losses, Latisse did remain a significant figure. Now, let’s talk about some of the scandals at Elizabeth’s court. Let’s get started with Elizabeth Throckmorton and Walter Raleigh. This is the stuff of legends. Elizabeth was known as Bess, was born around 1565 to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, a prominent diplomat, and his wife, Anne Carew.
Bess grew up in a politically influential family, which paved the way for her introduction to the court. The By the age of 19, she became a maid of honor to Queen Elizabeth, a position that put her in the Queen’s inner circle. Bess’s beauty and intelligence caught the eye of Sir Walter Raleigh, one of Elizabeth’s favorite courtiers and an ambitious explorer.
Their romance was kept under wraps, largely because any relationship involving the Queen’s ladies required her explicit permission. By July of 1591, their secret tryst led to Bess becoming pregnant. And they hastily married in secret to avoid the child being born out of wedlock. When the Queen discovered their deceit, her fury was palpable.
Both were imprisoned in the Tower of London. For Raleigh, this marked the beginning of a tumultuous relationship with the Crown, leading to his eventual execution in 1618. Bess, though released from the Tower, never regained the Queen’s favor. She spent the rest of her life carrying the weight of this scandal, a stark reminder of the perils of defying Elizabeth’s strict court rules.
Catherine Lee’s story is equally fraught with scandal. Born into a noble family, Catherine became the maid of honor to Elizabeth in 1588, a coveted position that reflected her family’s status. She was expected to uphold the highest standards of virtue, but Catherine’s affair with Francis Darcy resulted in an illegitimate child.
The scandal rocked the court, especially as the illicit affair took place so close to the Queen’s privy chamber. Elizabeth Jones, the mother of the maids, bore the brunt of the Queen’s wrath. And was imprisoned in the tower for failing to maintain discipline. Catherine and Francis Darcy married soon after their release, but the strain of their scandalous behavior lingered Catherine’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the strict moral expectations placed on the queen’s attendance and the severe consequences of transgressing those boundaries.
And then we have Douglas Howard, whose life was a tapestry of secret marriages and courtly intrigue. The eldest daughter of William Howard, Baron Howard of Effingham, Douglas first came to court as a maid of honor in 1558. She initially caught the eye of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, of course, and Elizabeth’s favorite, true love whatever, which led to a secret marriage around 1573.
They had a son, Robert, but Dudley, ever the political maneuverer, refused to publicly acknowledge their marriage. Douglas life took a darker turn as she claimed that Dudley attempted to poison her. This allegation, whether true or a desperate attempt to protect herself, highlights the dangerous games of power and survival at court.
After Dudley’s marriage to Letece Knowles became public, Douglas married Sir Edward Stafford, seeking both protection and distance from her tumultuous past with Dudley. Douglas narrative is a stark illustration of the precariousness of court life. Reliances were fragile and personal safety often came second to political machinations.
I interviewed Janet Wertman recently about Douglas Howard earlier this year. Uh, I put it on my YouTube channel. I’ll have to link to that video as well because it’s a really fascinating story. Let’s talk about some more anecdotes. We’ve got Margaret Radcliffe. Her story is one of profound sorrow. and unusual royal intervention.
Born to Sir John Radcliffe and Anna Shaw, Margaret came to court in the 1590s, along with her twin brother Alexander. The siblings were inseparable, their bond evident to all who knew them. Margaret quickly became a favorite maid of honor, known for her beauty and her grace. However, her life took a tragic turn in 1599 when news arrived that Alexander had been killed in a battle in Ireland.
Margaret was devastated, her grief so consuming that she stopped eating and fell into a deep decline. When Elizabeth heard just how depressed and how she was consumed by grief, The records say that Elizabeth’s anxiety for her dearly loved friend insisted on Margaret being brought to Richmond Palace that she might tend to her in person.
But it was a ghost who obeyed the Queen’s command, and the courtiers were shocked to see the change that had come upon the former Mary Maid. Nobody could rouse any interest in life from Margaret, and she passed away soon after. But the thing that makes it so interesting is that, for the first time, Elizabeth actually ordered an autopsy to try to understand why exactly Margaret died.
And the autopsy revealed that her heart was striped all over. Likely a poetic way of describing the physical manifestation of her emotional agony. So there we have a story of Elizabeth taking such a personal interest in the grief and depression of one of her ladies. Let’s move on to Anne Vavasor. We’ve talked about her with Henry Lee.
Her life was a series of scandals that shook the Elizabethan court, one right after another. She arrived at court as a maid of honor and quickly became entangled with Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford. Their affair was not just a minor indiscretion, it actually resulted in an illegitimate son, which led to both Anne and Oxford being imprisoned in the Tower.
Their release did little to quell the scandal and Anne’s reputation was forever tarnished. But Anne’s trouble didn’t end there. She later became the mistress of Sir Henry Lee of Ditchley. This further complicated her life. Although they did seem to have a very happy relationship. But even before that, she had married her first husband, John Finch, who was a sea captain.
Then she had this affair with Henry Lee. They actually stayed together for quite some time and were very happy living as partners. And despite these scandals, Anne continued to move in high circles. She actually entertained the Queen at Ditchley and remained a notable figure at court. Then we have Frances Walsingham, the daughter of Frances Walsingham, the Spymaster.
Her life was marked by her connections to two of the most prominent men of her time. She was born in 1567 to Frances Walsingham, Elizabeth Spymaster, like I said. And so she was well versed in the intrigues of the court from a young age. Her first marriage was to Sir Philip Sidney, the famed poet and soldier.
Then death in 1586 at the Battle of Zutphen left Frances a widow at a young age. But her life was far from over. In 1590, she married Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex. We just talked about him. He was the son of Lettice Robert Dudley’s stepson. and would, after Dudley had passed away, become one of Elizabeth’s new favorites.
This match displeased the Queen, partly because Essex was the stepson of her lifelong favorite, and partly because Elizabeth herself had a personal affection for Essex, so she was very upset when Francis married him. Francis and Essex’s marriage produced three children, but then, of course, Essex had this very volatile relationship with the Queen, and he led a failed coup in 1601.
Leaving Frances once again, a widow. After Essex’s death, Frances lived a quieter life, focusing on her children, which I think was probably a very wise move. So the lives of Elizabeth I’s ladies in waiting were anything but ordinary. They were marked by intense loyalty, incredible sacrifice, and at times, profound scandal.
From the unwavering service of Blanche Perry, to the maternal care of Cat Ashley, to the tragic love of Elizabeth Throckmorton, In the turbulent sagas of Ann Vavasor, these women played pivotal roles in the intricate dance of Tudor politics and court life. Their stories offer us a glimpse into the complexities and challenges of serving one of history’s most iconic monarchs.
These women were not just footnotes in history, they were vibrant, influential figures whose lives and actions left an indelible mark on Elizabethan England. Through their eyes, we can better understand the human side of the Tudor court. with all of its triumphs and tribulations. Remember, history is not just shaped by the powerful, but also by those who stand beside them in loyalty and resilience.
So we will leave it for there. Let me know what you thought about this episode. Leave a comment wherever you’re listening to it. And I just thank you for your listenership. I thank you for being here. Remember to check out Englandcast. com slash TudorCon online for your TudorCon streaming tickets and Armor and Castings for amazing Tudor accessories at Tudor.
ArmorandCastings. com. All right, my friends, I will talk to you again very soon. Thanks for being here. Have a good week. Bye bye.
Heather Teysko is the creator, writer, and producer of The Renaissance English History Podcast,  the original Tudor history podcast, started in 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. In 2019 she created Tudorcon, which is now a yearly event, in addition to writing books, and running TudorFair.com - a whimsical Tudor Merch shop.
She has been passionate about Tudor England since she first read Alison Weir's The Six Wives of Henry VIII 30 years ago, and subsequently moved to London after college to spend her time immersed in Tudor history (how exciting when she got to interview Alison for the first time!). In addition to history, she is passionate about travel, and has lived in 3 countries and 4 states (not counting her perpetual state of confusion), and her family (who help her host her YouTube channel occasionally).
