Anne Keilway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anne Keilway |
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|---|---|
| Lady Harington | |
| Anne Keilway, shown on her father's monument at the Church of St Peter & St Paul, Exton, Rutland | |
| Spouse(s) | John Harington, 1st Baron Harington of Exton |
| Issue | |
| John Harington, 2nd Baron Harington of Exton Lucy Russell, Countess of Bedford Frances Harington |
|
| Noble family | Keilway |
| Father | Robert Keilway |
| Mother | Cecily Bulstrode |
| Died | May 1620 |
Anne Keilway (died 1620) was an important English lady who served in the royal court. She was also known as Lady Harington after her marriage.
Contents
Who Was Anne Keilway?
Anne Keilway was the daughter of Robert Keilway and Cecily Bulstrode. Her father was from Minster Lovell. Her mother, Cecily, was the daughter of Edward Bulstrode.
Her Family and Marriage
In 1573, Anne Keilway married John Harington, 1st Baron Harington of Exton. She was an heiress, meaning she would inherit a lot of property. She brought her husband lands like Minster Lovell and Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire. She also expected to inherit more from her father, who passed away in 1581.
A Love for Books
Anne, Lady Harington, was interested in learning. A French teacher named Claudius Hollyband dedicated his French language book, A Treasurie of the Fench Tong (1580), to her. Lady Harington also started a library at the local church in Oakham. This library had about 200 religious books in Latin and Greek. These books were for local priests to use. The books had her special bookplate, called an "ex libris," which showed they belonged to her.
Serving the Queen
After 1603, when King James VI of Scotland also became King James I of England (this was called the Union of the Crowns), Lady Harington traveled to Scotland. She went with her daughter, Lucy, Countess of Bedford. Their goal was to meet and gain the favor of Anne of Denmark, the new queen. Many important women made this journey. Some were even asked by the King's advisors, called the Privy Council, to meet the queen at the border.
Journey to Scotland
A group of women, mostly from the Harington family, went to Edinburgh before the queen arrived. This group included Lady Harington and her daughter Lucy. Other relatives like Theodosia Noel, Lady Cecil, and Lady Hastings also joined them.
Caring for Princess Elizabeth
The trip to Scotland was a success! Lady Harington was given an important role in the queen's household. She was appointed to the queen's "bedchamber," which was a high-ranking position. At first, another lady, Frances Howard, was in charge of Princess Elizabeth, the king's daughter. Later, after a political event involving Frances Howard's husband, the Haringtons were chosen to care for Princess Elizabeth. They looked after her at Coombe Abbey near Coventry.
A Royal Wedding
Princess Elizabeth married Frederick V, Elector Palatine on February 14, 1613. The Haringtons traveled with her to her new home in the Electoral Palatinate, a region in Germany. While at Heidelberg, there was a small fight between Lord Harington's servants and a Scottish courtier who had insulted Lady Harington.
Anne, Lady Harington, passed away in May 1620.
Her Children
Anne and John Harington had several children:
- John Harington, 2nd Baron Harington of Exton (1592–1614). He was a friend of Prince Henry.
- Lucy Harington. She married Edward Russell, 3rd Earl of Bedford.
- Frances Harington (1587-1615). She married Sir Robert Chichester. Frances was a dancer at court and performed in a play called The Masque of Beauty in 1608. She is buried in Pilton, Devon.
A painting at Gripsholm Castle in Sweden was once thought to be Anne, Lady Harington. However, it is now believed to be her daughter, Lucy, Countess of Bedford. The painting shows a special symbol of the Keilway-Harington families.
