Frances Carr, Countess of Somerset
Encyclopedia
Frances Carr, Countess of Somerset (31 May 1590– 23 August 1632) was an English
noblewoman who was the central figure in a famous scandal and murder during the reign of King James I
. She was found guilty but spared execution, being eventually pardoned by the King and released from the Tower of London
in early 1622.
(later 1st Earl of Suffolk), and his wife, the former Catherine Knyvet. Frances' father, the second son of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk
, was a wealthy and powerful nobleman during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Her maternal grandparents were Sir Henry Knyvet, of Charlton, Wiltshire, and Elizabeth Stumpe.
. The marriage was primarily a political union; they were separated after the wedding to prevent them from having intercourse, with the view that premature sex and pregnancy was to be avoided. Essex went on a European tour (from 1607 to 1609) and when he returned Frances made every effort to avoid him. He was at the time seriously ill with smallpox, but she had also fallen in love with Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset
. It is suspected that she might have purposely encouraged her husband's natural impotence by the use of "love-philters" with first Simon Forman
and later Abraham Savery. Essex himself did not seem to mind the lack of his wife's company, spending most of his time drinking with other men.
When she finally took the step of annulment, unable to legally represent herself, her father and uncle, Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, represented her and drew up the libel. The situation quickly attracted public attention, and was widely observed by those with "prurient minds". She claimed that she had made every attempt to be sexually compliant for her husband, and that, through no fault of her own, she was still a virgin. She was examined by ten matrons and two midwives who found her hymen intact. It was widely rumoured at the time that Sir Thomas Monson's daughter was a substitute, which is possible because she had requested to be veiled during the examination "for modesty's sake".
The matter was a subject of mockery and ribald commentary throughout the court, including:
In turn, Essex claimed that he was capable with other women, but was unable to consummate his marriage. According to a friend, one morning (while chatting with a group of male companions) he had stood up and lifted his nightshirt to show them his erection—proving, if nothing else, he was physically capable of arousal. When asked why only she caused his failing, he claimed that "she reviled him, and miscalled him, terming him a cow, and coward, and beast."
The idea of satanic involvement was seriously considered by the judges and at one point it was proposed that Essex should go to Poland to see if he could be "unwitched". The annulment languished and possibly would not have been granted if it were not for the king's intervention (Somerset was the favourite
of King James). James I of England
granted the annulment on 25 September 1613. Frances married Somerset on 26 December 1613.
, a close friend and advisor of Somerset, had tried to advise Somerset not to marry Frances Howard, but he was a desirable ally for the powerful Howard family. The family managed to get Overbury imprisoned during the annulment proceedings where he died—curiously enough, the annulment went through eleven days after his death. It was revealed in court that Lady Somerset had him poisoned with the help of her waiting-woman and companion Mrs Anne Turner
. The Somersets were both sent to the Tower of London
, and later convicted of murder, but spared execution. Frances admitted her complicity in the crime; however, her husband maintained his innocence. They received a pardon from King James in January 1622 and were subsequently released from prison. She died 10 years later at the age of 42.
Lord and Lady Somerset had one daughter born in the Tower of London. She was Lady Anne Carr, who married the 1st Duke of Bedford
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
noblewoman who was the central figure in a famous scandal and murder during the reign of King James I
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
. She was found guilty but spared execution, being eventually pardoned by the King and released from the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
in early 1622.
Family
She was born Frances Howard, the daughter of Lord Thomas HowardThomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk
Admiral Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk, KG, PC was a son of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk by his second wife Margaret Audley, Duchess of Norfolk, the daughter and heiress of the 1st Baron Audley of Walden....
(later 1st Earl of Suffolk), and his wife, the former Catherine Knyvet. Frances' father, the second son of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk
Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk
Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, KG, Earl Marshal was an English nobleman.Norfolk was the son of the poet Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey. He was taught as a child by John Foxe, the Protestant martyrologist, who remained a lifelong recipient of Norfolk's patronage...
, was a wealthy and powerful nobleman during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Her maternal grandparents were Sir Henry Knyvet, of Charlton, Wiltshire, and Elizabeth Stumpe.
A Failed Marriage
Lady Frances Howard was married at the age of 14 to the 13-year-old Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of EssexRobert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex was an English Parliamentarian and soldier during the first half of the seventeenth century. With the start of the English Civil War in 1642 he became the first Captain-General and Chief Commander of the Parliamentarian army, also known as the Roundheads...
. The marriage was primarily a political union; they were separated after the wedding to prevent them from having intercourse, with the view that premature sex and pregnancy was to be avoided. Essex went on a European tour (from 1607 to 1609) and when he returned Frances made every effort to avoid him. He was at the time seriously ill with smallpox, but she had also fallen in love with Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset
Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset
Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset, , was a politician, and favourite of King James I of England.-Background:Robert Kerr was born in Wrington, Somerset, England the younger son of Sir Thomas Kerr of Ferniehurst, Scotland by his second wife, Janet, sister of Walter Scott of Buccleuch...
. It is suspected that she might have purposely encouraged her husband's natural impotence by the use of "love-philters" with first Simon Forman
Simon Forman
Simon Forman was arguably the most popular Elizabethan astrologer, occultist and herbalist active in London during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and James I of England. His reputation, however, was severely tarnished after his death when he was implicated in the plot to kill Sir Thomas Overbury...
and later Abraham Savery. Essex himself did not seem to mind the lack of his wife's company, spending most of his time drinking with other men.
When she finally took the step of annulment, unable to legally represent herself, her father and uncle, Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, represented her and drew up the libel. The situation quickly attracted public attention, and was widely observed by those with "prurient minds". She claimed that she had made every attempt to be sexually compliant for her husband, and that, through no fault of her own, she was still a virgin. She was examined by ten matrons and two midwives who found her hymen intact. It was widely rumoured at the time that Sir Thomas Monson's daughter was a substitute, which is possible because she had requested to be veiled during the examination "for modesty's sake".
The matter was a subject of mockery and ribald commentary throughout the court, including:
This Dame was inspected but Fraud interjected
A maid of more perfection
Whom the midwives did handle whilest the knight held the candle
O there was a clear inspection.
In turn, Essex claimed that he was capable with other women, but was unable to consummate his marriage. According to a friend, one morning (while chatting with a group of male companions) he had stood up and lifted his nightshirt to show them his erection—proving, if nothing else, he was physically capable of arousal. When asked why only she caused his failing, he claimed that "she reviled him, and miscalled him, terming him a cow, and coward, and beast."
The idea of satanic involvement was seriously considered by the judges and at one point it was proposed that Essex should go to Poland to see if he could be "unwitched". The annulment languished and possibly would not have been granted if it were not for the king's intervention (Somerset was the favourite
Favourite
A favourite , or favorite , was the intimate companion of a ruler or other important person. In medieval and Early Modern Europe, among other times and places, the term is used of individuals delegated significant political power by a ruler...
of King James). James I of England
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
granted the annulment on 25 September 1613. Frances married Somerset on 26 December 1613.
A murderous plot
Sir Thomas OverburyThomas Overbury
Sir Thomas Overbury was an English poet and essayist, and the victim of one of the most sensational crimes in English history...
, a close friend and advisor of Somerset, had tried to advise Somerset not to marry Frances Howard, but he was a desirable ally for the powerful Howard family. The family managed to get Overbury imprisoned during the annulment proceedings where he died—curiously enough, the annulment went through eleven days after his death. It was revealed in court that Lady Somerset had him poisoned with the help of her waiting-woman and companion Mrs Anne Turner
Mrs Anne Turner
Mrs Anne Turner , aka Mistress Anne Turner or Mrs. Anne Turner, was the widow of a respectable London doctor who was hanged at Tyburn for her role in the famous 1613 poisoning of Sir Thomas Overbury referenced in the plays A New Trick to Cheat the Devil, The Widow, The World Tossed at Tennis and...
. The Somersets were both sent to the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
, and later convicted of murder, but spared execution. Frances admitted her complicity in the crime; however, her husband maintained his innocence. They received a pardon from King James in January 1622 and were subsequently released from prison. She died 10 years later at the age of 42.
Lord and Lady Somerset had one daughter born in the Tower of London. She was Lady Anne Carr, who married the 1st Duke of Bedford
William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford
William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford KG PC was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 until 1641 when he inherited his Peerage and sat in the House of Lords...
.
Titles from birth to death
- 31 May 1590-21 July 1603: Mistress Frances Howard
- 21 July 1603-1604: Lady Frances Howard
- 1604-26 December 1613: The Right Honourable The Countess of Essex
- 26 December 1613-23 August 1632: The Right Honourable The Countess of Somerset