Elizabeth Darrell (courtier) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Darrell
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| Born | c. 1513 |
| Died | 1556 (aged 42–43) |
| Occupation | Mistress to poet Sir Thomas Wyatt |
| Spouse(s) | Robert Stroud |
| Partner(s) | Sir Thomas Wyatt |
| Children | Henry Francis Edward |
| Parent(s) | Sir Edward Darrell (died 1530) Alice Flye |
Elizabeth Darrell (born around 1513 – died around 1556) was a woman from the 16th century. She is known for her long-term partnership with the famous English poet, Sir Thomas Wyatt. They had one son who survived, named Francis.
Early Life and Family
Elizabeth Darrell was sometimes called Darell. She was the daughter of Sir Edward Darrell. Her family lived at Littlecote House in Wiltshire, England. If Elizabeth was born around 1513, her mother was likely Alice Flye Stanhope. Alice married Sir Edward before that year.
Sir Edward Darrell held an important job. He was the Chamberlain for Catherine of Aragon, who was then the Queen of England. This meant he managed parts of the Queen's household.
Later, Elizabeth herself became a Maid of Honour to Queen Catherine. A Maid of Honour was a lady-in-waiting who served the Queen. Elizabeth was very loyal to Queen Catherine. She may also have disliked Anne Boleyn, who later became Queen.
Because of her loyalty, Elizabeth refused to take the Oath of Supremacy. This was a promise to accept the King as the head of the Church in England. When Queen Catherine of Aragon died in January 1536, she left Elizabeth a gift of £200. This money was meant to help Elizabeth when she got married.
Life with Thomas Wyatt
Around 1537, Elizabeth became the partner of Sir Thomas Wyatt. He was a well-known poet and a cousin of the late Queen Anne Boleyn. Thomas Wyatt was legally married to Elizabeth Brooke, but they lived apart.
Elizabeth and Sir Thomas had three sons together:
- Henry, who sadly died when he was a baby.
- Francis, born in 1541. He later used the last name Darrell.
- Edward, whose birth date is not known. He might have been born after his father passed away.
There is some discussion about Edward Wyatt. An Edward Wyatt was involved in a rebellion in 1554 and was executed. Some people believe this Edward was the son of Sir Thomas Wyatt and Elizabeth Darrell. Others think he was the son of Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger. Sir Thomas Wyatt the elder only mentioned Francis in his will. This could mean Edward was born later.
Sir Thomas Wyatt left Elizabeth some properties in Dorset. After Sir Thomas the Younger was punished in 1554, some of Elizabeth's properties went to the Crown. This happened because they would have gone to him after her death.
In 1547, Elizabeth was living at a place called Tintinhull. By 1556, it was occupied by someone else, which suggests Elizabeth had passed away. Around 1554, Elizabeth married Robert Strode. This was around the same time that Queen Mary I seems to have given Elizabeth the money Queen Catherine of Aragon had left her.
