Dorothy Speckard facts for kids
Dorothy Speckard (died 1656) was an important person who worked for several English queens and princes. She was a courtier, which means she worked at the royal court. She was also a milliner, making hats and accessories, and a silkwoman, working with silk fabrics. Dorothy was part of the royal wardrobes of Elizabeth I of England, Anne of Denmark, Prince Henry, and Henrietta Maria. Her husband, Abraham Speckard, was an investor in the Somers Isles Company, which helped start the colony of Bermuda.
Working for the Royals
Dorothy Speckard was related to William Acton from Worcestershire. She married Abraham Speckard (who died in 1642). They were a wealthy couple living in London.
Queen Elizabeth I
Dorothy was known as a "Gentlewoman" in Queen Elizabeth's court. She took part in the tradition of giving gifts to the Queen. For example, in 1600, the Speckards gave Queen Elizabeth a special head veil. It was made of striped netting with pink silk and decorated with small metal loops called "Oes".
Dorothy was also called the Queen's "silkewoman." In the King's household, she was described as a skilled craftsperson, or "artificer." Her husband was the Queen's milliner.
She made many items for the Queen and other court ladies. These included veils, hair decorations called "tires" and "devices," and other accessories like sleeves and ruffs. From 1601 to 1603, she was especially known for making decorations for the Queen's wigs. These were shaped from hair into braids, pyramids, globes, loops, and tufts.
Some of her customers included Helena, Marchioness of Northampton and Phillipa Wotton, Lady Bacon.
Anne of Denmark
Queen Anne of Denmark made Dorothy a "chamberer" of her bedchamber. This meant Dorothy had a special role helping the Queen with personal matters. She also became a lady of the Queen's privy chamber, a very close group of attendants.
Dorothy received some of the Queen's clothes, according to a wardrobe list. In May 1610, the Queen gave her a black satin gown.
As a New Year's gift in January 1605, Dorothy gave King James two handkerchiefs. One was embroidered with gold, and another was a "cutwork" handkerchief. Cutwork is a type of embroidery where parts of the fabric are cut away.
Dorothy supplied Queen Anne with many goods in 1605. This was when the Queen was staying at Greenwich Palace, expecting her daughter Princess Mary. In 1607, Susan de Vere, Countess of Montgomery, a lady-in-waiting, asked Dorothy to help prepare a gift for the Queen.
Dorothy also made costumes for a special court play called Tethys' Festival in 1610.
When Prince Henry died in 1612, Dorothy was given mourning clothes. In 1615, King James gave Dorothy and her husband rights to land in Somerset.
In 1617, a visitor described Queen Anne's hair. It was decorated with diamonds and other jewels. It looked like rays or sunflower petals, possibly with artificial hair. Dorothy Speckard or another royal hairdresser, Blanche Swansted, might have created this style.
When Queen Anne died in 1619, Dorothy provided a lace-edged veil for the Queen's funeral effigy. An effigy is a statue or model. Dorothy also walked in the funeral procession with the other ladies of the Privy Chamber. A red leather case with the Queen's embroidered linen and silk stockings was noted as "Mrs Speckarts charge," meaning it was her responsibility.
Abraham Speckard, Dorothy's husband, was involved in a long legal case about money. He was also an investor in the Somers Isles Company. This company was formed to set up a colony in Bermuda.
Later Life
In 1626, Dorothy worked for Queen Henrietta Maria as the "queen's starcher." This meant she helped prepare and stiffen fabrics. She received a gift of silver plates for her work.
In 1622, Dorothy and Abraham bought land near St Giles in the Fields church in London. They built a house there. Abraham Speckard donated a stained-glass window to the church in 1628. It showed the story of "Abraham and Isaac" from the Bible. In 1630, he paid for a new churchyard wall. This wall had a private door that led into their garden.
Dorothy asked Parliament for help in 1647 because she was poor. She received £75 out of a promised £100.
She died in 1656. The private door in the churchyard wall was closed up in 1670.
