Ann, Lady Fanshawe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ann Fanshawe, Lady Fanshawe
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Ann, Lady Fanshawe, by Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen
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| Born | Ann Harrison 25 March 1625 parish of St Olave Hart Street, London, England |
| Died | January 20, 1680 (aged 54) probably at Ware, Hertfordshire, England |
| Resting place | Ware, Hertfordshire |
| Occupation | writer |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | British |
| Genre | memoir, recipes |
| Notable works | Memoir |
| Spouse | |
| Relatives | Sir John Harrison (father) |
Ann Fanshawe, Lady Fanshawe (born March 25, 1625 – died January 20, 1680) was an English writer. She wrote a memoir (a type of autobiography) about her life and family. She also wrote a cookbook. Her recipe for ice cream is believed to be the oldest one recorded in Europe!
Contents
Growing Up and Learning
Ann Harrison was born in London, England, on March 25, 1625. She was the oldest daughter of Sir John Harrison and Margaret Fanshawe. Her family lived in London and at a place called Balls Park in Hertfordshire.
Ann's mother made sure she had a good education. She learned useful skills for running a home. Ann enjoyed learning French, needlework, and music. But she also loved active things like riding horses and running. She once described herself as a "hoyting girle," which means a lively, playful girl.
When Ann was 15, her mother passed away in 1640. Ann was already very good at managing her father's house. Her father later remarried and had more children.
Life During the Civil War
Ann's family supported the King during the English Civil War. This was a big fight in England between those who supported the King (Royalists) and those who supported Parliament. Because of the war, Ann's family moved with the King's court to Oxford.
In 1644, when Ann was 19, she married her cousin, Richard Fanshawe. He was also a Royalist and worked as a secretary for Prince Charles. Ann and Richard had 14 children together. Sadly, only five of them lived to be adults.
In 1645, Ann went with Richard to Spain, where he worked for the British Embassy. When they returned to England, Richard continued to support Charles I of England. He was captured during the Battle of Worcester in 1651. He was held prisoner for a while. Ann couldn't visit him, but she would stand outside his window in bad weather to talk to him.
After Richard was released, they moved to Yorkshire. There, Richard focused on writing poetry. Ann also started writing. She put together a book of recipes and medicines. This book, started around 1651, includes her famous recipe for "icy cream," which is the first known ice cream recipe in Europe!
During the rest of the Civil War and the time when England had no king (called the Interregnum), Ann and Richard traveled a lot. They went to places like Paris, Ireland, and Madrid. Richard kept in touch with the royal family. When Charles II was in Flanders, Richard joined him. He was made a knight in 1656.
After the King returned to power in 1660 (the Restoration), Richard became a Member of Parliament. He also helped arrange King Charles II's marriage to Catherine of Braganza from Portugal. He then served as an ambassador, representing England in Portugal and Spain.
Richard died suddenly in Madrid in 1666. Ann and her children returned to England. It was a very difficult time for her. She struggled to get money to bring Richard's body back to England and to support her children. The Queen of Spain offered Ann money if she would become Catholic, but Ann refused. Eventually, the Queen Dowager of Spain helped her. Richard's body was brought back and buried in the church at Ware, Hertfordshire.
Later Life and Writing
As a widow, Ann focused on raising her children and helping others. In 1676, she wrote her Memoir (a personal story of her life). She wrote it for her son, Richard, to teach him about their family's history and his father's good character.
Her Memoir tells many exciting stories about their travels and adventures. It also includes interesting details about the clothes and customs they saw in different places. Ann also hoped her book would help her family get the money they were owed by the government. The Memoir stops suddenly in 1671.
Death and What She Left Behind
Ann Fanshawe died in January 1680, probably in Ware, Hertfordshire, where she was buried. There is a painting of Lady Fanshawe by Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen. It is kept at the Valence House Museum in London.
Ann Fanshawe's Memoir is her most important legacy. It gives us a wonderful look into her life and times. She also left us the earliest known recipe for ice cream in her cookbook from 1665.
Images for kids
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Ann, Lady Fanshawe, by Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen
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Balls Park
