Eleanor Manners, Countess of Rutland facts for kids

A statue of Eleanor Paston, Countess of Rutland

Eleanor Manners, Countess of Rutland (born Eleanor Paston; around 1495 – 1551), was a lady-in-waiting to five of King Henry VIII of England's wives. These queens were Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr.

Eleanor's Marriage and Family

Eleanor was the daughter of Sir William Paston and Bridget Heydon. She married Thomas Manners, 12th Baron de Ros by 1523. When Thomas became an Earl a few years later, Eleanor became known as the Countess of Rutland.

Their first child, a daughter named Anne, was born around the same time. Eleanor and Thomas had at least eleven children together. Even with many pregnancies, Lady Rutland continued her important work at the royal court. She kept having children until 1539.

Life as a Lady-in-Waiting

Anne of Cleves, one of the queens Eleanor served

Lady Rutland first appeared at court in 1532. This was when Anne Boleyn was given the title of Marquessate of Pembroke. The next month, Eleanor and her husband traveled with King Henry VIII of England and Anne to Calais, France. There, Anne was introduced to King Francis I of France.

Eleanor likely became Anne Boleyn's lady-in-waiting after Anne married King Henry. She continued in this role for the next three queens: Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, and Catherine Howard. As a senior lady-in-waiting, Eleanor was a trusted helper and friend to the queens.

She was particularly close to Anne of Cleves, the King's fourth wife. In February 1540, Anne of Cleves spoke to Lady Rutland about her marriage. Lady Rutland offered advice and support to the queen.

Eleanor's Later Life

Eleanor stayed in close contact with her father after she married. In 1543, her husband, Lord Rutland, passed away. Her father helped her manage his will and affairs during this difficult time.

Eleanor Manners, Countess of Rutland, died in 1550. She was buried in St Mary the Virgin's Church, Bottesford.

Eleanor's Children

Eleanor and Thomas Manners had many children. Here are some of them:

• Anne Manners, who married Henry Neville, 5th Earl of Westmorland.
• Gertrude Manners, who married George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury.
• Henry Manners, 2nd Earl of Rutland.
• Roger Manners (died 1607), who served Queen Elizabeth I. He never married.
• Elizabeth Manners (around 1530 – 8 August 1570), who married Sir John Savage.
• Oliver Manners.
• Frances Manners, who married Henry Nevill, 6th Baron Bergavenny.
• Sir Thomas Manners.
• Sir John Manners of Haddon Hall (around 1534 – 4 June 1611), who married Dorothy Vernon.
• Isabel Manners, who died young.
• Katherine Manners, who married Sir Henry Capell, a Sheriff of Essex.