Elizabeth Chamber facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Chamber
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|---|---|
| Baroness St John of Bletso | |
| Died | After 8 December 1602 Warwickshire |
| Noble family | Chamber (by birth) St John (by marriage) |
| Spouse(s) | Sir Walter Stonor Reginald Conyers Edward Griffin Oliver St John, 1st Baron St John of Bletso |
| Father | Geoffrey Chamber |
| Occupation | Lady in waiting and Mother of the Maids |
Elizabeth Chamber, also known as Elizabeth Stonor, was an important lady who lived a long time ago. She worked for King Henry VIII of England and all six of his wives! She was a lady-in-waiting, which meant she helped the Queen. Elizabeth was also known as the Mother of the Maids. This meant she was in charge of the young ladies who served the Queen.
Elizabeth was the daughter of Geoffrey Chamber from Stanmore, Middlesex. She married four times in her life. Many people remember her as the wife of Sir Walter Stonor. She was even chosen to help King Henry's second wife, Anne Boleyn, when Anne was held in the Tower of London in 1536. Elizabeth lived until after December 8, 1602.
Serving Queen Anne Boleyn
In May 1536, Queen Anne Boleyn was held in the Tower of London. Five women were chosen to serve her during this difficult time. One of these women was Elizabeth Stonor. Their job was to stay with the Queen and report everything she said. They reported to Sir William Kingston, who was the head of the Tower. He then told Thomas Cromwell, the King's main advisor.
Sir William Kingston said these five women were "honest and good." However, Queen Anne Boleyn felt sad about it. She said it was "a great unkindness" from the King to send people she had "never loved" to be with her. The other women serving Anne included her aunt, Anne Shelton, and another aunt by marriage, Elizabeth Boleyn. Also there were Mary Kingston, who was Sir William Kingston's wife, and Margaret Coffin.
Elizabeth's Marriages
Elizabeth Chamber was married four times during her life. Each marriage connected her to important families and people of her time.
Her husbands were:
- Sir Walter Stonor (who died in 1551). He was the head of the Tower of London for a time.
- Reginald Conyers (who died in 1560).
- Edward Griffin (who died in 1569). He was a lawyer for the King.
- Oliver St John, 1st Baron St John of Bletso (who died in 1582). She married him before August 28, 1572.
