Elizabeth Carew
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth, Lady Carew born around 1500, was an English
courtier
and reputed mistress of King Henry VIII
.
and his wife, Margaret, daughter of Sir Humphrey Bourchier. Her husband was Henry VIII's close friend Sir Nicholas Carew, an influential statesman
who was eventually executed
for his alleged involvement in the Exeter Conspiracy
. Her brother, Sir Francis, was a member of the Privy Chamber and one of the king's closest friends was responsible for sitting in the jury that convicted his sister's husband to death and reduced her to penury.
and Jane Seymour
, which increased her standing at court. Her only brother was Sir Francis Bryan
, called "the Vicar of Hell" for his lack of principles. She is said to have been friends with Bessie Blount
, Henry's mistress who produced an illegitimate son in 1519.
In 1514, there were rumours that Elizabeth Carew was the mistress of Henry VIII, although it may have been his brother-in-law, Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk
who was the object of her affection. The king made huge presents to her over the years, including royal jewels.
Sir Nicholas was executed for his alleged involvement in the Exeter Conspiracy
in 1540, leaving Elizabeth and the children destitute.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
courtier
Courtier
A courtier is a person who is often in attendance at the court of a king or other royal personage. Historically the court was the centre of government as well as the residence of the monarch, and social and political life were often completely mixed together...
and reputed mistress of King Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
.
Relatives
Elizabeth was the daughter of Sir Thomas BryanThomas Bryan (courtier)
Sir Thomas Bryan was an English courtier during the reign of Henry VIII.-Family:His wife, Margaret Bryan was governess to the King's four acknowledged children, Mary, Elizabeth, Edward and his illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy, 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset. She impressed the King so much, he...
and his wife, Margaret, daughter of Sir Humphrey Bourchier. Her husband was Henry VIII's close friend Sir Nicholas Carew, an influential statesman
Statesman
A statesman is usually a politician or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career in politics or government at the national and international level. As a term of respect, it is usually left to supporters or commentators to use the term...
who was eventually executed
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
for his alleged involvement in the Exeter Conspiracy
Exeter Conspiracy
The Exeter Conspiracy, 1538, was a supposed attempt to depose the reigning Henry VIII and replace him with a Yorkist, Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter, KG who was 1st cousin to the King. An Act of Attainder was brought against the Marquess of Exeter and he was found guilty of treason by his...
. Her brother, Sir Francis, was a member of the Privy Chamber and one of the king's closest friends was responsible for sitting in the jury that convicted his sister's husband to death and reduced her to penury.
Early years and marriage
Lady Carew had been raised at court because her parents who both held offices in the royal household. In the early, halcyon days of the reign, Elizabeth and her future husband were members of the king's inner social circle and performed regularly in the masques and dances that were among his favorite pastimes. Henry almost certainly arranged their marriage: he attended their wedding and endowed them with a gift of 50 marks' worth of land. In those years, the king showered Lady Carew with "beautiful diamonds and pearls and innumerable jewels."Friends at Court
She was a second cousin of both Anne BoleynAnne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn ;c.1501/1507 – 19 May 1536) was Queen of England from 1533 to 1536 as the second wife of Henry VIII of England and Marquess of Pembroke in her own right. Henry's marriage to Anne, and her subsequent execution, made her a key figure in the political and religious upheaval that was the...
and Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour was Queen of England as the third wife of King Henry VIII. She succeeded Anne Boleyn as queen consort following the latter's execution for trumped up charges of high treason, incest and adultery in May 1536. She died of postnatal complications less than two weeks after the birth of...
, which increased her standing at court. Her only brother was Sir Francis Bryan
Francis Bryan
Sir Francis Bryan was an English courtier and diplomat during the reign of Henry VIII. He was Chief Gentleman of the Privy chamber and Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Bryan always retained Henry's favour, achieving this by altering his opinions to conform to the...
, called "the Vicar of Hell" for his lack of principles. She is said to have been friends with Bessie Blount
Elizabeth Blount
Elizabeth Blount , who was better known by her nickname of "Bessie", was a mistress of Henry VIII of England.-Early life:She was the daughter of Sir John Blount and Catherine Pershall, of Kinlet, Bridgnorth, Shropshire...
, Henry's mistress who produced an illegitimate son in 1519.
In 1514, there were rumours that Elizabeth Carew was the mistress of Henry VIII, although it may have been his brother-in-law, Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk
Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk
Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, 1st Viscount Lisle, KG was the son of Sir William Brandon and Elizabeth Bruyn. Through his third wife Mary Tudor he was brother-in-law to Henry VIII. His father was the standard-bearer of Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond and was slain by Richard III in person at...
who was the object of her affection. The king made huge presents to her over the years, including royal jewels.
Offspring
Her children with Nicholas Carew were:- Anne Carew (about 1520 – 1581)
- Married the diplomat Nicholas ThrockmortonNicholas ThrockmortonSir Nicholas Throckmorton was an English diplomat and politician, who was an ambassador to France and played a key role in the relationship between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots.-Early years:...
. - Their daughter ElizabethElizabeth RaleighElizabeth, Lady Raleigh , née Throckmorton, was Sir Walter Raleigh's wife, and a Lady of the Privy Chamber to Queen Elizabeth I of England. Their secret marriage precipitated a long period of royal disfavour for Raleigh....
married Sir Walter RaleighWalter RaleighSir Walter Raleigh was an English aristocrat, writer, poet, soldier, courtier, spy, and explorer. He is also well known for popularising tobacco in England....
.
- Married the diplomat Nicholas Throckmorton
- Sir Francis Carew of BeddingtonBeddingtonBeddington is a settlement between the London Boroughs of Sutton and Croydon. The BedZED low energy housing scheme is located here. In Beddington was a static inverter plant of HVDC Kingsnorth....
(1530 – 1611)- Was restored to Nicholas' estates, though he preferred to stay out of politics.
- Unmarried. Adopted his nephew, Nicholas Throckmorton, who adopted his name.
- Mary Carew (born about 1520)
- Married Sir Arthur Darcy.
- They had ten sons and five daughters.
- Elizabeth Carew
- Isabel Carew (born about 1530)
- Married Nicholas Saunders. They had three sons and four daughters.
Sir Nicholas was executed for his alleged involvement in the Exeter Conspiracy
Exeter Conspiracy
The Exeter Conspiracy, 1538, was a supposed attempt to depose the reigning Henry VIII and replace him with a Yorkist, Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter, KG who was 1st cousin to the King. An Act of Attainder was brought against the Marquess of Exeter and he was found guilty of treason by his...
in 1540, leaving Elizabeth and the children destitute.