Margaret Wotton, Marchioness of Dorset
Encyclopedia
Margaret Wotton, Marchioness of Dorset (1487–1541) was the second wife of Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset
, and the mother of his children, including Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk
, with whom she engaged in many quarrels during his minority over money and his allowance
. Her lack of generosity to Henry shocked her peers as unmotherly, and inappropriate behaviour toward a high-ranking nobleman, relative of King Henry VIII of England
. In 1534, she felt compelled to answer to the charges that she was an "unnatural mother".
On 10 September 1533, she stood as one of the godmothers
of Princess Elizabeth
, who would later rule as Queen Elizabeth I of England.
She was the subject of two portraits by Hans Holbein the Younger
.
One of her many grandchildren was Lady Jane Grey
.
, Kent
, and Anne Belknap, sister of Sir Edward Belknap
. Two of her brothers held important positions in the government. Sir Edward Wotton was Treasurer of Calais
, and Nicholas Wotton
was a diplomat who arranged the marriage of Henry VIII to Anne of Cleves
in 1539.
, by whom she had one son, George (died 1562). In 1509, sometime after the death of her husband in February of that year, she married as his second wife, Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset, the eldest son of Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset
and Cecily Bonville, Baroness Harington and Bonville. She was styled as Marchioness of Dorset upon her marriage.
Together, Thomas and Margaret had eight children:
Margaret and her husband were part of the group who accompanied Henry VIII's sister, Princess Mary, to France in the autumn of 1514, for the latter's wedding to King Louis XII of France
.
In October 1530, her husband died and she was given custody of all his property during their eldest son, Henry's minority.
On 10 September 1533 at Greenwich Palace, Margaret stood as one of the two godmothers of Princess Elizabeth
, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
, who would later rule as Queen Elizabeth I of England. Three months earlier, on 1 June, Margaret had ridden in Anne Boleyn's coronation
procession from the Tower of London
to Westminster Abbey
.
She was the subject of two portraits by Hans Holbein the Younger.
would support the couple until her son reached his majority.
In 1534, she felt compelled to answer charges that she was "an unnatural mother". As a result, she offered to contribute to her son's advancement "as my small power is and shall be".
Several years later when he came of age, Henry brought his quarrel with his mother before the Kings' Council, where she belatedly admitted that her son's allowance was not "meet or sufficient to maintain his estate", and she offered to increase it. Henry was not appeased, therefore she moved out of the Grey family seat at Bradgate House
; however, Henry would not let her remove her personal property, so she wrote a letter to Thomas Cromwell, pleading with him to order her son to release her goods.
Margaret died in 1541 at the age of 54.
Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset
Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset, KG, KB was an English peer, courtier, soldier and landowner, the grandfather of Lady Jane Grey, briefly Queen of England.-Early life:...
, and the mother of his children, including Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk
Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk
Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk, 3rd Marquess of Dorset, KG was an English nobleman of the Tudor period and the father of Lady Jane Grey.-Henry VIII's reign:...
, with whom she engaged in many quarrels during his minority over money and his allowance
Allowance (money)
An allowance is an amount of money set aside for a designated purpose.Allowing another person to have some money is often referred to as an allowance.-Construction contracting:...
. Her lack of generosity to Henry shocked her peers as unmotherly, and inappropriate behaviour toward a high-ranking nobleman, relative of King Henry VIII of England
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...
. In 1534, she felt compelled to answer to the charges that she was an "unnatural mother".
On 10 September 1533, she stood as one of the godmothers
Godparent
A godparent, in many denominations of Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's baptism. A male godparent is a godfather, and a female godparent is a godmother...
of Princess Elizabeth
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
, who would later rule as Queen Elizabeth I of England.
She was the subject of two portraits by Hans Holbein the Younger
Hans Holbein the Younger
Hans Holbein the Younger was a German artist and printmaker who worked in a Northern Renaissance style. He is best known as one of the greatest portraitists of the 16th century. He also produced religious art, satire and Reformation propaganda, and made a significant contribution to the history...
.
One of her many grandchildren was Lady Jane Grey
Lady Jane Grey
Lady Jane Grey , also known as The Nine Days' Queen, was an English noblewoman who was de facto monarch of England from 10 July until 19 July 1553 and was subsequently executed...
.
Family
Margaret was born in 1487, the daughter of Sir Robert Wotton of Boughton MalherbeBoughton Malherbe
For other "Boughtons" in Kent see Boughton under Blean; Boughton Malherbe; and Boughton MonchelseaBoughton Malherbe is a village and civil parish in the Maidstone district of Kent, England, situated between Maidstone and Ashford...
, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, and Anne Belknap, sister of Sir Edward Belknap
Edward Belknap
Sir Edward Belknap was active in the service of the English crown, both on the battlefield and as a court official, during the 16th and 17th centuries....
. Two of her brothers held important positions in the government. Sir Edward Wotton was Treasurer of Calais
Treasurer of Calais
Calais was in English hands from 1347 to 1558. The task of the Treasurer, in conjunction with the Captain of Calais was keeping the defences in order, supplying victuals and paying the garrison...
, and Nicholas Wotton
Nicholas Wotton
Nicholas Wotton was an English diplomat-Life:He was a son of Sir Robert Wotton of Boughton Malherbe, Kent, and a descendant of Nicholas Wotton, lord mayor of London in 1415 and 1430, and member of parliament for the city from 1406 to 1429.He early became vicar of Boughton Malherbe and of Sutton...
was a diplomat who arranged the marriage of Henry VIII to Anne of Cleves
Anne of Cleves
Anne of Cleves was a German noblewoman and the fourth wife of Henry VIII of England and as such she was Queen of England from 6 January 1540 to 9 July 1540. The marriage was never consummated, and she was not crowned queen consort...
in 1539.
Marriages and issue
In 1505, Margaret married her first husband, William MedleyWilliam Medley
William Francis Medley is an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. A former priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville, he is the current Bishop of the Diocese of Owensboro.-Biography:...
, by whom she had one son, George (died 1562). In 1509, sometime after the death of her husband in February of that year, she married as his second wife, Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset, the eldest son of Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset
Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset
Thomas Grey, 7th Baron Ferrers of Groby, 1st Earl of Huntingdon and 1st Marquess of Dorset, KG , was an English nobleman, courtier and a man of mediocre abilities pushed into prominence by his mother Elizabeth Woodville's second marriage to the king, Edward IV.-Family:Thomas was born about 1455,...
and Cecily Bonville, Baroness Harington and Bonville. She was styled as Marchioness of Dorset upon her marriage.
Together, Thomas and Margaret had eight children:
- Lady Elizabeth Grey (1510–1564), married firstly Thomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of WaldenThomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of WaldenThomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of Walden, KG, PC, KS , Lord Chancellor of England, born in Earls Colne, Essex, the son of Geoffrey Audley, is believed to have studied at Buckingham College, Cambridge...
by whom she had two daughters, including Margaret Audley, Duchess of NorfolkMargaret Howard, Duchess of NorfolkMargaret Howard , Duchess of Norfolk was the sole surviving child of Thomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of Walden and Lady Elizabeth Grey, daughter of Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset and Margaret Wotton...
; she married secondly, George Norton - Lady Katherine Grey (1512 – 1 May 1532), married Henry Fitzalan, 19th Earl of ArundelHenry FitzAlan, 19th Earl of ArundelHenry FitzAlan, 19th Earl of Arundel was an English nobleman, who over his long life assumed a prominent place at the court of all the later Tudor sovereigns, probably the only person to do so.-Court career:...
, by whom she had issue. - Lady Anne Grey (1514 – January 1584), married Sir Henry Willoughby, by whom she had issue.
- Henry Grey, 1st Duke of SuffolkHenry Grey, 1st Duke of SuffolkHenry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk, 3rd Marquess of Dorset, KG was an English nobleman of the Tudor period and the father of Lady Jane Grey.-Henry VIII's reign:...
(12 January 1517 – 23 February 1554), married Lady Frances Brandon, by whom he had three daughters, including Lady Jane GreyLady Jane GreyLady Jane Grey , also known as The Nine Days' Queen, was an English noblewoman who was de facto monarch of England from 10 July until 19 July 1553 and was subsequently executed...
, and Lady Catherine Grey. Executed for treasonTreasonIn law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
, along with his eldest daughter, Jane, and younger brother, for having had participated in Thomas WyattWyatt's rebellionWyatt's Rebellion was a popular uprising in England in 1554, named after Thomas Wyatt the younger, one of its leaders. The rebellion arose out of concern over Queen Mary I's determination to marry Philip II of Spain, which was an unpopular policy with the English...
's rebellion in 1554. - Lord John Grey (1523 – 19 November 1569)
- Lord Thomas Grey (1526 – after 1554), executed along with his brother, Henry, and niece, Jane for having had participated in Thomas Wyatt's rebellion in 1554.
- Leonard Grey
- Lady Mary Grey
Margaret and her husband were part of the group who accompanied Henry VIII's sister, Princess Mary, to France in the autumn of 1514, for the latter's wedding to King Louis XII of France
Louis XII of France
Louis proved to be a popular king. At the end of his reign the crown deficit was no greater than it had been when he succeeded Charles VIII in 1498, despite several expensive military campaigns in Italy. His fiscal reforms of 1504 and 1508 tightened and improved procedures for the collection of taxes...
.
In October 1530, her husband died and she was given custody of all his property during their eldest son, Henry's minority.
On 10 September 1533 at Greenwich Palace, Margaret stood as one of the two godmothers of Princess Elizabeth
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
Anne 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...
, who would later rule as Queen Elizabeth I of England. Three months earlier, on 1 June, Margaret had ridden in Anne Boleyn's coronation
Coronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
procession 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...
to Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
.
She was the subject of two portraits by Hans Holbein the Younger.
Quarrels with her son
Margaret first began a long series of quarrels with her son, who had succeeded to the Marquisate of Dorset in 1530, when he was forced to pay a fine of £4000 for breach of contract after he had renounced his bethrothal to Katherine Fitzalan, daughter of the Earl of Arundel. As a result, she tried to restrict his allowance throughout his minority which caused much consternation from her peers, who labelled her actions "unmotherly", and inappropriate behaviour towards a nobleman closely related to the King. Margaret only agreed to Henry's marriage with Lady Frances Brandon, niece of the King, on the condition that her father, Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of SuffolkCharles 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...
would support the couple until her son reached his majority.
In 1534, she felt compelled to answer charges that she was "an unnatural mother". As a result, she offered to contribute to her son's advancement "as my small power is and shall be".
Several years later when he came of age, Henry brought his quarrel with his mother before the Kings' Council, where she belatedly admitted that her son's allowance was not "meet or sufficient to maintain his estate", and she offered to increase it. Henry was not appeased, therefore she moved out of the Grey family seat at Bradgate House
Bradgate Park
Bradgate Park is a public park in Charnwood Forest, in Leicestershire, England, just northwest of Leicester. It covers 850 acres . The park lies between the villages of Newtown Linford, Anstey, Cropston, Woodhouse Eaves and Swithland. The River Lin runs through the park, flowing into Cropston...
; however, Henry would not let her remove her personal property, so she wrote a letter to Thomas Cromwell, pleading with him to order her son to release her goods.
Margaret died in 1541 at the age of 54.