Bridget Norris, Countess of Berkshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lady Bridget de Vere |
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| Countess of Berkshire Lady Norris of Rycote Viscountess Thame |
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| Effigy of Bridget de Vere on her tomb | |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Issue | |
| Elizabeth Wray, 3rd Baroness Norreys of Rycote | |
| Noble family | De Vere (by birth) Norris (by marriage) |
| Father | Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford |
| Mother | Anne Cecil |
| Born | 6 April 1584 Theobalds House, Hertfordshire, England |
| Died | December 1630 or March 1631 (disputed); aged 46 |
| Burial | Westminster Abbey |
Bridget Norris (born Bridget de Vere) was an English noblewoman who lived from 1584 to 1630 or 1631. She was known as the Countess of Berkshire, Lady Norris of Rycote, and Viscountess Thame. Bridget was the daughter of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford. After her mother passed away, she was raised by her powerful grandfather, William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, who was a very important statesman. She married Francis Norris, 1st Earl of Berkshire, but their marriage did not last, and they separated in 1606.
Bridget's Family Life
Bridget was born on 6 April 1584 at Theobalds House in Hertfordshire, England. She was one of three daughters of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, who was a courtier, playwright, and poet. Her mother was Anne Cecil, whose father, William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, was a chief advisor to Queen Elizabeth I of England.
When Bridget was four years old, her mother died in 1588. After this, Bridget and her sisters, Lady Elizabeth and Lady Susan, lived with their grandfather, Baron Burghley.
In 1591, Bridget's father married again to Elizabeth Trentham. She was a Maid of Honour (an attendant) to Queen Elizabeth. From this marriage, Bridget gained a half-brother named Henry. He later became the 18th Earl of Oxford after their father.
Her Marriages
In 1597, Bridget's grandfather, Baron Burghley, tried to arrange a marriage for her with William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke. He was the heir to the earldom of Pembroke. Burghley offered Herbert money, but Herbert wanted the money right away, and when his request was turned down, he refused to marry Bridget. So, Baron Burghley had to find a less famous husband for Bridget.
On 28 April 1599, shortly after her 15th birthday, Bridget married Francis Norris of Rycote. He was the son of Sir William Norris and Elizabeth Morrison. Francis was also the future heir to his grandfather, Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys.
On 17 October 1601, Francis Norris became the 2nd Baron Norris. From that time on, Bridget was known as Lady Norris.
Bridget and Francis had one daughter together:
- Elizabeth Norris, Baroness Norris of Rycote (born around 1603, died around November 1645). She married Edward Wray, who worked for King James I of England. They had children together.
Bridget and Francis's marriage was not happy, and they separated in 1606.
Bridget de Vere later married Sir Hugh Pollard, 2nd Baronet. He was the eldest son of Sir Lewis Pollard, 1st Baronet. Bridget and Sir Hugh had one daughter named Bridget Pollard.
Later Life and Passing
On 28 January 1621, Francis Norris was given new titles: 1st Viscount Thame and 1st Earl of Berkshire.
Bridget passed away sometime between December 1630 and March 1631. She was about 46 years old. She was buried in Westminster Abbey in a tomb she shares with her mother, grandmother, and sisters. Her effigy (a statue of her) is on the tomb.
