Cecily Bulstrode facts for kids

Cecily Bulstrode (born 1584, died 4 August 1609) was a clever lady who lived in the court of King James I. She was known for her wit and was even written about by famous poets of her time. Cecily was a cousin of Lucy Russell, Countess of Bedford, and worked for Queen Anne of Denmark.

Cecily Bulstrode's Life

Growing Up

Cecily Bulstrode was born in 1584 in a place called Beaconsfield, England. Her parents were Edward Bulstrode and Cecily Croke. She was one of ten children! Her family was quite well-known. Her grandfather was Sir John Croke.

Life at Court

Cecily followed in her family's footsteps and became a courtier. This means she lived and worked at the royal court. In 1605, she joined the household of her cousin, Lucy Russell, the Countess of Bedford. When King James I became king, the Countess of Bedford became a very important lady for the queen.

Cecily and her younger sister, Dorothy, also moved up. They became "Maidens of the Queen's Bedchamber." This was a special role helping the queen. During her time at court, Cecily became known for her sharp mind and quick wit. She was a good friend of the Countess of Bedford and a trusted servant of the Queen. This made her an important person at court.

Because she was so well-known, poets like Ben Jonson wrote about her. Other writers, including John Donne, used her death as a chance to get attention from the Countess of Bedford, who supported many artists. Cecily herself also wrote. Her only known work is called News of My Morning Work.

In 1609, Cecily became ill. She died on 4 August 1609 and was buried two days later at St Mary's, Twickenham.

Her Writings

News of My Morning Work is the only piece of writing we know for sure was by Cecily Bulstrode. Some experts think she might have written more that hasn't been found yet. This piece is a "witty" (clever and funny) work. It uses a style of writing that was popular at the time, especially among people in the Countess of Bedford's circle.

News of My Morning Work is a list of short, wise, and sometimes funny sayings called aphorisms. Many of them make fun of life at court or people who pretend to be very religious. Here are a few examples:

• THAT to be good, the way is to be most alone—or the best accompanied.
• That the way to Heaven is mistaken for the most melancholy walk.
• That the most fear of the world’s opinion more than God’s displeasure.
• That a Court-friend seldom goes further than the first degree of charity.
• That the Devil is the perfect courtier.

This work was probably written around 1609. It became famous when it was published in 1615 as an extra part of a book called A Wife by Sir Thomas Overbury. That book was a huge bestseller! When it was published, the author of News of My Morning Work was only listed as "Mris B."