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Anne Bedingfeild facts for kids

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Anne Bedingfeild
Anne Bedingfield All Saints church Darsham Suffolk.jpg
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.

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.

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