Elizabeth Grey, Countess of Kildare facts for kids

Lady Elizabeth FitzGerald, Countess of Kildare (born around 1497 – died after 1548), was an important noblewoman from England and Ireland. She was the second wife of Gerald FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Kildare. Her father was Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset. Her mother, Cecily, was one of the richest heiresses in England.

In 1514, Elizabeth went to France. She was a Maid of Honour (a lady who helps the Queen) to Mary Tudor, Queen of France. She stayed in France to serve Queen Mary's successor, Queen Claude, in the same role.

Elizabeth's Family and Early Life

Elizabeth Grey was born in England around 1497. Her father was Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset, from the House of Grey family. Her mother was Cecily Bonville, Baroness Harington and Bonville. Cecily was one of the wealthiest women in England in the late 1400s. Elizabeth's grandmother was Elizabeth Woodville, who was Queen of England and married to King Edward IV of England.

Elizabeth had 13 brothers and sisters. Her oldest brother, Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset, became the head of the family when their father died in 1501. Elizabeth was about four years old then. Two years later, her mother Cecily married Henry Stafford, 1st Earl of Wiltshire. This caused many arguments about their family money. Even Cardinal Thomas Wolsey had to step in for King Henry VIII of England. He told Elizabeth's mother and brother to help pay for Elizabeth and her three sisters' weddings.

Serving the French Queens

In 1514, Elizabeth became a Maid of Honour to Princess Mary Tudor. She traveled with Princess Mary to France when Mary went to marry King Louis XII. Elizabeth stayed at the French court even when other English ladies went home. She continued to serve Queen Claude, who was married to the new King Francis I. Other English Maids of Honour who also stayed with Queen Claude were Anne Boleyn and Mary Boleyn.

In 1520, Elizabeth was one of Queen Catherine of Aragon's helpers at a famous meeting called the Field of the Cloth of Gold. This was a grand event where the kings of England and France met.

Marriage and Children

Around 1522, Elizabeth married Gerald "Gearóid Og" FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Kildare, in London. Gerald's first wife had passed away, leaving him with a son named Thomas and three daughters. By marrying Elizabeth, who was a cousin of King Henry VIII, Gerald gained more power and influence at court. Elizabeth became known as the Countess of Kildare.

Their marriage was good for Gerald's power, but they also liked each other. Gerald was described as handsome, and he was happy with Elizabeth. He had been a kind husband to his first wife, and his second marriage was also happy. Some historians say Elizabeth married Gerald even though her father did not want her to. However, in 1527, her mother gave Elizabeth £1000 for her wedding. Her mother wrote that the marriage was "honourable" and that everyone was happy with it.

In 1523, Elizabeth and her husband moved to Ireland. Gerald served as a high-ranking official there, helping to govern the country for the King. Letters Elizabeth wrote show that she was very interested in what was happening in Irish politics.

Elizabeth and Gerald had at least six children together:

• Lord Gerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare, also known as "The Wizard Earl" (born 1525 – died 1585). He married Mabel Browne and had children.
• Elizabeth FitzGerald, known as "The Fair Geraldine" (born 1527 – died 1590). She married twice and had children who died young with her first husband.
• Edward FitzGerald (born 1528 – died 1597). He married Agnes Leigh and had children, including Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Kildare.
• Mary (or Margaret) FitzGerald. She married Richard Nugent, 3rd Baron Delvin, and had children.
• Anne FitzGerald.
• Catherine FitzGerald (died after 1547). She married twice.

Elizabeth Grey's daughter, "the fair Geraldine"

In 1531, a special law was passed to make sure Elizabeth received an income of £200 each year. She also received the Irish manor of Portlester.

In 1533, Elizabeth brought her daughter, Elizabeth FitzGerald, to the English court. Her daughter was six years old and became a friend to the young Princess Elizabeth. Princess Elizabeth was the daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, who had been Elizabeth Grey's friend in France.

Later, Elizabeth Grey was said to be part of a group at court who disagreed with Queen Anne.

Elizabeth's husband, the Earl of Kildare, was put in the Tower of London in 1534. He was accused of corruption and planning a rebellion in Ireland. Elizabeth stayed with him, caring for him until he died on December 12, 1534. The Earl had been injured in a fight in 1532.

After her husband's death, Elizabeth moved to her brother Leonard's home in Leicestershire. Her younger sons were raised at court with Prince Edward. Later, her son Edward joined her.

Challenges in Ireland

Elizabeth's stepson, "Silken Thomas," and her five brothers-in-law were put to death in 1537 for rebellion. Her own brother, Leonard, who was a high official in Ireland, had stopped the rebellion. Elizabeth's oldest daughter, Elizabeth, went to live with Princess Mary. During this time, the poet Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey wrote a famous poem about the ten-year-old girl, calling her "The Fair Geraldine."

Elizabeth's oldest son, Gerald, could not become the Earl of Kildare because the title was taken by the King. Gerald went into hiding in Ireland. He formed a group called the Geraldine League with other unhappy clans. When this group was defeated in 1539, he escaped to Europe.

Because Gerald escaped, Elizabeth's brother Leonard was accused of serious crimes against the King. He was put to death in the Tower of London in July 1541 by King Henry VIII's orders. Gerald first went to France, then to Italy. He stayed there until 1548, when he returned to England. The new King, Edward VI, welcomed him and gave back his family's lands.

Gerald became the 11th Earl of Kildare in 1554, during the reign of Queen Mary. He had a life with many ups and downs. He died in London in 1585. He was a free man but was not allowed to return to Ireland.

Elizabeth Grey died sometime after 1548. The exact date is not known.