Grace Mildmay
Encyclopedia
Grace Mildmay was an English noblewoman, diarist and medical practitioner. Her autobiography is one of the earliest existing autobiographies of an English woman. Originally from Wiltshire, she married Sir Anthony Mildmay
in 1567 and moved to Apethorpe Hall
, his father's home in Northamptonshire. She practised medicine on her family and others, with an extensive knowledge of medical theory, and a large repertoire of cures. Her writings included memoirs, medical papers and devotional meditations.
. She was the second daughter of Sir Henry Sharington and his wife Ann (née Paggett) of Lacock Abbey
, and the niece of William Sharington
, the High Sheriff of Wiltshire
, from whom her father inherited Lacock Abbey. She had an older sister Ursula, and a younger sister, Olive. Their brother William died in infancy. Their governess was a Mistress Hamblyn, a niece of Sir Henry who had been brought up by the Sharingtons. Mistress Hamblyn taught strong puritan
values, as well as some medical knowledge including basic surgery. Grace also received lessons in music, needle-work, arithmetic and letter-writing. In her memoirs, she recalled witnessing visitors to Lacock Abbey who were of questionable moral character. On these occasions, Mistress Hamblyn encouraged her to write verse against the visitors' immorality. From her mother, she acquired the habit of daily spiritual meditation. In later life, she wrote a series of devotional meditations which consisted of 912 folios.
In 1567 Grace married Sir Anthony Mildmay
who later took up the position of ambassador to France. He was the eldest son of Walter Mildmay
, who had become the Chancellor of the Exchequer
the previous year. Sir Walter was instrumental in ensuring the marriage of Grace to his son, who was initially less than enthusiastic about the match. For nearly twenty years, the Mildmays lived at Apethorpe Hall
in Northamptonshire with Sir Walter. Sir Anthony was often away at court, and later in France; Lady Mildmay stayed at Apethorpe and filled her time with religious devotions, music and medical practice. She oversaw the daily religious observances at Apethorpe Hall and performed charitable duties in the neighbourhood. Her practice of medicine extended beyond the immediate family and her understanding of illnesses and cures was extensive. Her knowledge was based on Galen
ic theories, as well as being inspired by Christian teaching. She concocted large amounts of cures derived not only from plants, but also chemicals and minerals. Her daughter Mary inherited from her medical books, over two thousand loose medical papers and an extensive array of curatives.
The Mildmays experienced financial difficulties during their marriage, in part because of debt incurred by Sir Anthony's political and military activities. Sir Henry Sharington died in 1581 leaving his two surviving children, Grace and Olive, in dispute over their inheritance for many years (Ursula had died in 1576). According to Lady Mildmay's memoirs, Olive and other family members had convinced Sir Henry to change his will, reducing Grace's share. This last will had been a nuncupative one and Lady Mildmay ultimately won an equal share of the inheritance. Her husband later quarrelled with his brother Humphrey over their inheritance, and for a long time the couple lived with the worry that Sir Anthony would predecease his father. These financial worries disappeared after Sir Anthony successfully sued his brother for some of his land.
Sir Anthony died in 1617. Lady Mildmay died on 27 July 1620 and was buried at Apethorpe church
, next to her husband. Their only child, Mary, married Francis Fane, 1st Earl of Westmorland
, and had 14 children including Mildmay
, Francis
and George Fane
.
Lady Mildmay's autobiography—one of the earliest by an English woman still in existence—was written in italic script
with revisions and corrections in secretary hand
. Excerpts were first published in 1911 by Rachel Weigall.
| publisher = Oxford University Press
| origyear = 2004
| date = May 2010
| url = http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/45817
| doi = 10.1093/ref:odnb/45817
| accessdate =4 March 2011
| ref = ondb
}}
Anthony Mildmay
Sir Anthony Mildmay was a country gentleman from Northamptonshire, England, who served as Member of Parliament for Wiltshire from 1584 to 1586 and as English ambassador in Paris in 1597.-Early life:...
in 1567 and moved to Apethorpe Hall
Apethorpe Hall
Apethorpe Hall in Apethorpe, Northamptonshire, England is a Grade I listed country house, dating back to the 15th century.The house is built around three courtyards lying on an east-west axis and is approximately by in area...
, his father's home in Northamptonshire. She practised medicine on her family and others, with an extensive knowledge of medical theory, and a large repertoire of cures. Her writings included memoirs, medical papers and devotional meditations.
Biography
Lady Mildmay was born Grace Sharington or Sherrington ca. 1552 in WiltshireWiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
. She was the second daughter of Sir Henry Sharington and his wife Ann (née Paggett) of Lacock Abbey
Lacock Abbey
Lacock Abbey in the village of Lacock, Wiltshire, England, was founded in the early 13th century by Ela, Countess of Salisbury, as a nunnery of the Augustinian order.- History :...
, and the niece of William Sharington
William Sharington
Sir William Sharington was an English courtier of the time of Henry VIII, master and embezzler of the Bristol Mint, member of parliament, conspirator, and High Sheriff of Wiltshire.-Early life:...
, the High Sheriff of Wiltshire
High Sheriff of Wiltshire
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Wiltshire.Until the 14th century the shrievalty was held ex officio by the castellans of Old Sarum.-To 1400:*1066: Edric*1067-1070: Philippe de Buckland*1085: Aiulphus the Sheriff*1070–1105: Edward of Salisbury...
, from whom her father inherited Lacock Abbey. She had an older sister Ursula, and a younger sister, Olive. Their brother William died in infancy. Their governess was a Mistress Hamblyn, a niece of Sir Henry who had been brought up by the Sharingtons. Mistress Hamblyn taught strong puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
values, as well as some medical knowledge including basic surgery. Grace also received lessons in music, needle-work, arithmetic and letter-writing. In her memoirs, she recalled witnessing visitors to Lacock Abbey who were of questionable moral character. On these occasions, Mistress Hamblyn encouraged her to write verse against the visitors' immorality. From her mother, she acquired the habit of daily spiritual meditation. In later life, she wrote a series of devotional meditations which consisted of 912 folios.
Anthony Mildmay
Sir Anthony Mildmay was a country gentleman from Northamptonshire, England, who served as Member of Parliament for Wiltshire from 1584 to 1586 and as English ambassador in Paris in 1597.-Early life:...
who later took up the position of ambassador to France. He was the eldest son of Walter Mildmay
Walter Mildmay
Sir Walter Mildmay was an English statesman who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer of England under Queen Elizabeth I, and was founder of Emmanuel College, Cambridge.-Early life:...
, who had become the Chancellor of the Exchequer
Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all economic and financial matters. Often simply called the Chancellor, the office-holder controls HM Treasury and plays a role akin to the posts of Minister of Finance or Secretary of the...
the previous year. Sir Walter was instrumental in ensuring the marriage of Grace to his son, who was initially less than enthusiastic about the match. For nearly twenty years, the Mildmays lived at Apethorpe Hall
Apethorpe Hall
Apethorpe Hall in Apethorpe, Northamptonshire, England is a Grade I listed country house, dating back to the 15th century.The house is built around three courtyards lying on an east-west axis and is approximately by in area...
in Northamptonshire with Sir Walter. Sir Anthony was often away at court, and later in France; Lady Mildmay stayed at Apethorpe and filled her time with religious devotions, music and medical practice. She oversaw the daily religious observances at Apethorpe Hall and performed charitable duties in the neighbourhood. Her practice of medicine extended beyond the immediate family and her understanding of illnesses and cures was extensive. Her knowledge was based on Galen
Galen
Aelius Galenus or Claudius Galenus , better known as Galen of Pergamon , was a prominent Roman physician, surgeon and philosopher...
ic theories, as well as being inspired by Christian teaching. She concocted large amounts of cures derived not only from plants, but also chemicals and minerals. Her daughter Mary inherited from her medical books, over two thousand loose medical papers and an extensive array of curatives.
The Mildmays experienced financial difficulties during their marriage, in part because of debt incurred by Sir Anthony's political and military activities. Sir Henry Sharington died in 1581 leaving his two surviving children, Grace and Olive, in dispute over their inheritance for many years (Ursula had died in 1576). According to Lady Mildmay's memoirs, Olive and other family members had convinced Sir Henry to change his will, reducing Grace's share. This last will had been a nuncupative one and Lady Mildmay ultimately won an equal share of the inheritance. Her husband later quarrelled with his brother Humphrey over their inheritance, and for a long time the couple lived with the worry that Sir Anthony would predecease his father. These financial worries disappeared after Sir Anthony successfully sued his brother for some of his land.
Sir Anthony died in 1617. Lady Mildmay died on 27 July 1620 and was buried at Apethorpe church
St Leonard's Church, Apethorpe
St Leonard's Church is an Anglican church in the village of Apethorpe in Northamptonshire, England. It is an active parish church in the Diocese of Peterborough. It has been designated a Grade I listed building by English Heritage.-History:...
, next to her husband. Their only child, Mary, married Francis Fane, 1st Earl of Westmorland
Francis Fane, 1st Earl of Westmorland
Francis Fane, 1st Earl of Westmorland, KB head of the Fane family, of Mereworth in Kent, and then of Apethorpe in Northamptonshire, was first a Member of Parliament and then an English peer...
, and had 14 children including Mildmay
Mildmay Fane, 2nd Earl of Westmorland
Mildmay Fane, 2nd Earl of Westmorland was an English nobleman, politician, and writer.-Life:One of seven sons of Francis Fane by his wife Mary, granddaughter of Sir Walter Mildmay, Mildmay Fane was born in Kent and educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge . He became MP for Peterborough in 1620...
, Francis
Francis Fane (royalist)
Sir Francis Fane of Fulbeck K.B. supported the Royalist cause During the English Civil War.-Biography:Fane was the third, but second surviving, son of Francis Fane, 1st Earl of Westmorland....
and George Fane
George Fane
Colonel George Fane DL, JP was the fifth but fourth surviving son of Francis Fane, 1st Earl of Westmorland by his wife, Mary , daughter and heir of Sir Anthony Mildmay of Apethorpe, co. Northampton....
.
Lady Mildmay's autobiography—one of the earliest by an English woman still in existence—was written in italic script
Italic script
Italic script, also known as chancery cursive, is a semi-cursive, slightly sloped style of handwriting and calligraphy that was developed during the Renaissance in Italy...
with revisions and corrections in secretary hand
Secretary hand
Secretary hand is a style of European handwriting developed in the early sixteenth century that remained common in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries for writing English, German, Welsh and Gaelic....
. Excerpts were first published in 1911 by Rachel Weigall.
Sources
| title = Oxford Dictionary of National Biography| publisher = Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
| origyear = 2004
| date = May 2010
| url = http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/45817
| doi = 10.1093/ref:odnb/45817
| accessdate =4 March 2011
| ref = ondb
}}