Audrey Walsingham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Audrey Walsingham |
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|---|---|
| Spouse(s) | Thomas Walsingham |
| Issue | |
| Thomas Walsingham | |
| Noble family | Shelton |
| Father | Sir Ralph Shelton |
| Mother | Mary Woodhouse |
| Born | 10 June 1568 |
| Died | May 1624 |
| Burial | 20 May 1624 St Nicholas, Chislehurst |
| Occupation | Lady of the Bedchamber to Elizabeth I Mistress of the Robes to Anne of Denmark |
Lady Audrey Walsingham (born Shelton; 1568–1624) was an important English courtier. A courtier is someone who attends a royal court as an adviser or companion to the monarch. She worked closely with two queens. First, she was a Lady of the Bedchamber for Queen Elizabeth I. This meant she helped the Queen with her daily life and was a close companion. Later, she became the Mistress of the Robes for Anne of Denmark, who was the wife of King James I. She held this role from 1603 until 1619.
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Who Was Audrey Walsingham?
Audrey Walsingham was born on June 10, 1568. Her father was Sir Ralph Shelton from Shelton, Norfolk. Her mother was Mary Woodhouse. Sadly, her mother passed away just five days after Audrey was born.
Her Family and Royal Connections
Audrey came from a well-known family. Her grandmother, Anne Shelton, was the aunt of Anne Boleyn. Anne Boleyn was one of King Henry VIII's queens. This means Audrey had a distant connection to the royal family through her grandmother.
Audrey Shelton married Sir Thomas Walsingham. He was a cousin of Sir Francis Walsingham, who was a very important spy master for Queen Elizabeth I. Audrey and Thomas lived at Scadbury Manor in Chislehurst.
Serving Queen Elizabeth I
Audrey Walsingham served Queen Elizabeth I as a Lady of the Bedchamber. This was a trusted position. She helped manage the Queen's personal belongings. For example, she signed a list of Queen Elizabeth's clothes in July 1600.
In 1600, a nobleman called the Earl of Northumberland gave Queen Elizabeth a special gift. It was a petticoat, which is a type of skirt worn under a dress. Lady Walsingham helped provide this gift.
A Special Gift and a Famous Portrait
In August 1602, Queen Elizabeth attended a grand party at Harefield. During a fun game, Lady Walsingham won a prize. It was a fancy stomacher, which is a decorated piece worn on the front of a dress. The verses that came with it said, "This stomacher is full of windows wrought, Yet none through them can look into your thought."
Lady Walsingham also gave the Queen a special gown. It was embroidered with colorful rainbows. Some historians believe this gown is the one shown in the famous "Rainbow" portrait of Queen Elizabeth. This painting is now at Hatfield House.
Working for Queen Anne of Denmark
When Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England. His wife, Anne of Denmark, became the new queen. Lady Walsingham was chosen to join a group of English ladies. Their job was to meet Queen Anne at the Scottish border. They would then travel with her to London. A diplomat from Venice noted that 200 horsemen escorted these ladies. Lady Walsingham was in Berwick by May 27.
At first, Queen Anne was not sure about having Lady Walsingham in her closest group of ladies. But Lady Walsingham soon became a favorite of Sir Robert Cecil, a very powerful man at court.
Helping with Royal Clothes
On July 26, 1603, the day after Queen Anne's coronation, Lady Walsingham received an important job. She was made the guardian and keeper of the Queen's robes. This means she was in charge of all the Queen's clothes. Her job included buying expensive fabrics like gold, silver, and silk. She also hired tailors and embroiderers for the Queen's outfits. For this important role, she received a yearly salary. In May 1604, she was given an extra yearly payment of £200 for serving the Queen.
Queen Anne sometimes asked Lady Walsingham to get old clothes from Queen Elizabeth's storage. These clothes were used for special court events.
Fun at Court: Masques
Lady Walsingham also took part in the fun events at court called masques. Masques were elaborate plays with music, dancing, and costumes. Queen Anne loved to organize them. Lady Walsingham played the role of Astraea in The Vision of the Twelve Goddesses in January 1604. She also played Periphere in Masque of Blackness in 1605.
Lady Walsingham helped with the Queen's personal needs too. In February 1605, she received money for the Queen's expenses during her pregnancy. She also received payments for linen and lace for Queen Anne and her baby, Princess Mary. Later, she received more money for linen when Queen Anne was pregnant with Princess Sophie.
In April 1608, her role as Mistress of the Robes was confirmed. She continued to receive her yearly payments. Queen Anne often gave her old clothes as gifts. For example, in January 1611, she received a beautiful velvet gown.
In August 1613, Queen Anne visited Wells, Somerset. The mayor hosted a dinner for her household, and Lady Walsingham was among the guests.
In August 1615, some embroidered cushions and sewing silk were stolen from Whitehall Palace. These items belonged to Lady Walsingham's husband. They might have been connected to the Queen's wardrobe. The Venetian ambassador met Queen Anne at Greenwich Palace in December 1615. Lady Walsingham was the only other person present during this meeting.
Lady Walsingham suffered from severe headaches. She passed away in May 1624. She was buried at St Nicholas, Chislehurst.
