Barbara Sidney, Countess of Leicester facts for kids
Barbara Sidney, Countess of Leicester (born 1563 – died May 24, 1621) was an important heiress from Wales. She was the first wife of Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester. Her family was connected to many famous people of her time, like Sir Walter Raleigh.
Barbara's Family and Early Life
Barbara was the only child of John Gamage (who died in 1584). Her mother was Gwenllian. Her family lived at Coity Castle in Glamorgan, Wales.
When her father passed away in 1584, Barbara became a "ward of the crown." This meant the Queen's government looked after her until she got married. Sir Edward Stradling became her guardian. Barbara's aunt, Margaret Gamage, thanked Sir Edward and his wife for teaching Barbara how to manage a household.
Her Marriage to Robert Sidney
Because Barbara was a wealthy heiress, many people wanted to marry her. Several of her relatives were interested. Important people in Queen Elizabeth I of England's court also had ideas for her marriage.
Lord Burghley, a key advisor to the Queen, wanted Barbara to marry Herbert Croft. However, Francis Walsingham, another of the Queen's advisors, supported a marriage between Barbara and Robert Sidney. Robert was the brother of the famous poet and soldier, Sir Philip Sidney.
Barbara was not allowed to marry without the Queen's permission. But she chose Robert Sidney. The story of their romance was later written down by their daughter, Mary Sidney, Lady Wroth. She included it in her book The Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania, published in 1621.
Barbara married Robert Sidney on September 23, 1584. The wedding took place at St Donat's Castle, her guardian's home. Robert later became the Earl of Leicester in 1616.
The couple mostly lived in London at Baynard's Castle. They also spent a lot of time at Penshurst Place in Kent. Barbara helped make Penshurst Place larger. She added features that reminded her of her childhood home, St Donat's Castle.
Robert Sidney often wrote letters to Barbara when he was away on official business. These letters tell us about their family life and important events at court. Barbara's letters to him, sadly, have not survived.
A famous poem by Ben Jonson, called "To Penshurst", mentions "My Lady's Oak" and "Gamage copse." These places at Penshurst Park are named after Barbara Sidney. It is said that she gave birth to one of her children under an oak tree there. She also enjoyed feeding deer in the shade of the copse. This area became known as "Lady Gamage's Bower."
Barbara even sent fresh peaches to King James, his wife Anne of Denmark, and other important people in 1616 and 1617.
Barbara and Robert's Children
Robert and Barbara had eleven children together:
- Sir William Sidney (1590–1613)
- Henry Sidney
- Philip Sidney
- Mary (1587–1651/3), who married Robert Wroth
- Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester (1595–1677)
- Catherine, who married Sir Lewis Mansel
- Philippa (died 1620), who married Sir John Hobart, 2nd Baronet
- Margaret
- Dorothy
- Elizabeth
- Bridget
- Barbara (1599–1635), who married Thomas Smythe, 1st Viscount Strangford, in April 1619.
