Anne Bedingfeild facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anne Bedingfeild
|
|
|---|---|
Memorial brass to Bedingfeild in Darsham church
|
|
| Born |
Anne Draper
1560 Probably Middlesex
|
| Died | 1641 (aged 80–81) Probably Darsham
|
| Nationality | Kingdom of England |
| Occupation | Landowner |
| Known for | Involvement with early theatre |
| Spouse(s) |
Eustace Bedingfeld
(m. 1579; died 1599) |
| Children | Anne |
| Relatives | Alice Owen (aunt) |
Anne Bedingfeild (born Anne Draper; 1560 – 1641) was an important English woman who owned land and helped support early theatre. She was also known for her kindness and generosity.
Contents
Anne's Early Life and Family
Anne Draper was born in 1560. Her parents were John and Mary Draper. When Anne's father passed away, he left his brewery business to his wife Mary and their children. He also left some land to Anne. This land was part of the Seckford estate.
The land was special because it was meant to help fund almshouses. These were places where poor people could live, set up by a man named Thomas Seckford in his will. Anne likely took charge of these lands when she was around sixteen years old.
Marriage and Managing Property
In 1579, Anne married Eustace Bedingfeld. His family was known for their strong religious beliefs. Eustace lived at a place called Holme Hall.
When Eustace died in 1599, Anne took over managing all their family's business and properties. She became a very capable landowner.
The Red Bull Theatre
In 1605, Anne made a deal for her Seckford land. She leased it to two men: Aaron Holland, who was a tailor and an innkeeper, and Martin Slater, an actor.
Holland then built the famous Red Bull Theatre around an existing inn. A theatre group called the "Queen's Servants" performed there.
One interesting fact is that a play by their main writer, Thomas Heywood, made fun of Sir Henry Bedingfeld. Sir Henry had been the "jailer" of Queen Elizabeth when she was a princess. This was unusual because Sir Henry was Anne's late husband's uncle!
Later Life and Legacy
Anne Bedingfeild passed away in 1641. She was 80 years and seven months old. A special memorial brass was placed in All Saints church in Darsham to remember her. This brass shows a picture of Anne wearing a watchman's greatcoat.
In her will, Anne asked her daughter to continue caring for seven poor men in Clerkenwell. This shows Anne's lasting commitment to helping others.
