Anne Basset (lady-in-waiting) facts for kids

Anne Basset (born 1520 – died before 1558) was an English lady-in-waiting during the Tudor period. She served several queens and was known to King Henry VIII.

Anne Basset's Early Life

Anne Basset was born in 1520. She was the fourth child of Sir John Basset and Honor Grenville. When Anne was young, her father passed away. She was then raised by her mother and her stepfather, Lord Lisle. They lived in Calais, which was an English territory in France at the time. Lord Lisle was also the uncle of King Henry VIII.

Joining the Royal Court

Anne's mother, Lady Lisle, worked hard to get her daughters, Anne and Katharine, jobs serving the Queen. At first, she tried to get them positions with Queen Anne Boleyn, but it didn't work out.

Lady Lisle kept trying. After Queen Jane Seymour became queen, Anne's mother sent her a special gift of quails. Queen Jane Seymour then agreed to let one of the Basset sisters join her court. Anne was chosen and began her service as a lady-in-waiting.

Serving Different Queens

Anne Basset served several queens during her time at court. She was a lady-in-waiting for Queen Catherine Howard. Later, she also served Queen Catherine Parr, who was King Henry VIII's sixth and final wife.

In 1538 and 1539, it was rumored that King Henry VIII was very interested in Anne. Some people even thought she might become his next wife in 1540, and again in 1542.

In August 1540, Anne Basset and other ladies from the court visited Portsmouth. They went to see a newly built ship. They all signed a letter together and sent it to King Henry VIII.

Marriage and Later Life

Anne later became a maid of honor to Queen Mary I. On June 11, 1554, Anne married Sir Walter Hungerford. Queen Mary was very happy about the wedding and wanted everyone to have a good time. Anne and Sir Walter had two children, but sadly, neither of them lived to have their own children.

Anne Basset passed away before 1558. After her death, Sir Walter Hungerford married Anne Dormer.