Elizabeth Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elizabeth Stanley |
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| Countess of Huntingdon Lady Hastings of Hungerford Lady Botreaux |
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| Miniature portrait of Lady Elizabeth Stanley by Nicholas Hilliard, c. 1601–1610 | |
| Spouse(s) | Henry Hastings, 5th Earl of Huntingdon |
| Issue | |
| Ferdinando Hastings, 6th Earl of Huntingdon Lady Alice Hastings Lady Elizabeth Hastings Henry Hastings, 1st Baron Loughborough |
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| Noble family | Stanley |
| Father | Ferdinando Stanley, 5th Earl of Derby |
| Mother | Alice Spencer |
| Born | 6 January 1588 Knowsley Hall, Knowsley, England |
| Died | 20 January 1633 (aged 45) Whitefriars, London, England |
| Burial | Parish church of St. Helen, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire |
| Occupation | Writer |
Elizabeth Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon (born 6 January 1588 – died 20 January 1633) was an English noblewoman and writer. She was also known as Lady Elizabeth Stanley before her marriage. She was married to Henry Hastings, 5th Earl of Huntingdon.
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A Royal Connection
Elizabeth was born on 6 January 1588, at Knowsley Hall in Lancashire. Her parents were Ferdinando Stanley, 5th Earl of Derby and Alice Spencer.
Elizabeth had an important connection to the English throne. She was the great-great-granddaughter of Mary Tudor. Mary Tudor was the younger sister of King Henry VIII.
Because of this family link, Elizabeth was third in line to become Queen of England in 1596. This was after her grandmother, Lady Margaret Clifford, passed away.
When Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, many wondered who would rule next. Elizabeth and her older sisters, Anne Stanley, Countess of Castlehaven and Lady Frances Stanley, were considered. However, the crown went to King James VI of Scotland. He was related through King Henry VIII's older sister, Margaret Tudor.
Marriage and Family Life
On 15 January 1601, just after her 13th birthday, Lady Elizabeth married Henry Hastings. Henry was the only son of Francis Hastings, Baron Hastings.
Henry became the fifth Earl of Huntingdon on 31 December 1604. From then on, Elizabeth was known as the Countess of Huntingdon. She also held the titles Lady Hastings of Hungerford and Lady Botreaux.
Elizabeth and Henry lived mainly at Ashby de la Zouch Castle in Leicestershire. This castle was the main home for the Earls of Huntingdon. They had four children together:
- Lady Elizabeth Hastings (born around 1605). She married Sir Hugh Calverley. They did not have children.
- Lady Alice Hastings (1606–1667). She married Sir Gervase Clifton, 1st Baronet. They also did not have children.
- Ferdinando Hastings, 6th Earl of Huntingdon (18 January 1608 – 13 February 1655). He married Lucy Davies and had children.
- Lord Henry Hastings, 1st Baron Loughborough (28 September 1610 – 10 January 1667). He never married or had children.
A Talented Writer and Arts Supporter
Lady Elizabeth was not only a noblewoman but also a writer and a supporter of the arts. She wrote several manuscripts that are now kept at the Huntington Library. These include prayers, parts of the Bible, and her own thoughts. She also wrote notes from sermons.
Forty-six of her letters have survived. These letters were written between 1605 and 1632. They give us a great look into her life and feelings. In one letter, she wrote about visiting the royal court. She watched rehearsals and a show called a masque. During this visit, she was even kissed by both King James and Queen Anne.
Elizabeth herself danced in The Masque of Queens. This performance took place at Whitehall Palace on 2 February 1609. A small portrait of her was painted by Nicholas Hilliard between 1601 and 1610. She was also painted by Paul van Somer around 1614.
A Special Show at Ashby Castle
The Countess Elizabeth hired a writer named John Marston. He created a special show for her mother's visit to Ashby Castle in August 1607.
For this event, a grand arch was built in the castle park. A character dressed as a witch, named Merimna, gave a welcome speech. She joked that the castle was usually filled with sadness. Then, a god named Saturn, who represented melancholy, greeted the Countess of Derby. Later, during the masque in the Great Chamber, the moon goddess Cynthia was featured.
Later Life and Passing
Elizabeth passed away on 20 January 1633, shortly after her 45th birthday. She died in London at the home of her brother-in-law, John Egerton, 1st Earl of Bridgewater.
Her body was taken to the parish church of St. Helen in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. She was buried there on 9 February. The minister who spoke at her funeral praised her and also mentioned her writings. Her religious writings showed her thoughts right up until her death. In three of her four manuscripts, her last thoughts were about Of Death. Her husband passed away ten years later in 1643.
Images for kids
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Miniature portrait of Lady Elizabeth Stanley by Nicholas Hilliard, c. 1601–1610
