Elizabeth Knollys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elizabeth Knollys |
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| Lady Leighton | |
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| Portrait of Elizabeth Knollys by an unknown painter after George Gower, 1577 | |
| Spouse(s) | Sir Thomas Leighton |
| Issue | |
| Thomas Leighton Elizabeth Talbot Anne, Lady St John |
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| Noble family | Knollys (by birth) Leighton (by marriage) |
| Father | Sir Francis Knollys |
| Mother | Catherine Carey |
| Born | 15 June 1549 England |
| Died | c. 1605 (aged about 56) |
| Occupation | Maid of Honour Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber |
Elizabeth Knollys, also known as Lady Leighton (born June 15, 1549 – died around 1605), was an English noblewoman who worked for Queen Elizabeth I. She first served as a Maid of Honour, which meant she helped the Queen with daily tasks. Later, after 1566, she became a Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber, a more important role close to the Queen.
Elizabeth Knollys was the great-niece of Anne Boleyn, who was Queen Elizabeth I's mother. This made Elizabeth a cousin once removed to the Queen. In 1578, Elizabeth married Sir Thomas Leighton from Feckenham in Worcestershire. He was the Governor of Jersey and Guernsey, two islands in the English Channel.
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Who Was Elizabeth Knollys?
Elizabeth Knollys was born on June 15, 1549. She was the second daughter in a very large family. Her parents were Sir Francis Knollys and Catherine Carey. Catherine Carey was the daughter of Mary Boleyn, who was the sister of Anne Boleyn. This family connection made Elizabeth Knollys a relative of Queen Elizabeth I.
Elizabeth grew up with 11 brothers and sisters who survived. Her older sister, Lettice Knollys, also worked at court. However, Lettice was later sent away from court. This happened after she secretly married Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, who was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth.
Growing Up in a Protestant Family
Elizabeth's family was very Protestant. They lived at Greys Court in Oxfordshire and Abbey House in Reading. In 1556, when Queen Mary I (who was Catholic) ruled England, her parents had to leave the country. They went to Frankfurt, Germany, to avoid being punished for their Protestant beliefs. It is not known if Elizabeth went with them. Her parents took only five of their children abroad.
When Queen Elizabeth I became queen in 1558, Elizabeth Knollys joined the royal court. She became a Maid of Honour. Her mother was a very important lady at court, the Chief Lady of the Bedchamber. Her sister Lettice was also a Maid of the Privy Chamber. Another sister, Anne Knollys, later joined the court too. On January 5, 1566, Elizabeth Knollys was promoted. She became a Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber and received a good yearly salary.
Elizabeth's Marriage and Life at Court
In 1578, Elizabeth Knollys married Sir Thomas Leighton. He was a diplomat and a soldier. Like Elizabeth's father, Sir Thomas had strong Puritan beliefs. After her marriage, Elizabeth was known as Lady Leighton. She continued to work for Queen Elizabeth I as a Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber. This was even though her sister Lettice had been sent away from court.
Sir Thomas Leighton was the Governor of Jersey and Guernsey. These are islands located in the Channel Islands. However, Lady Leighton did not spend much time on the islands. She preferred to stay at the Queen's court. The famous writer and explorer Sir Walter Raleigh admired her and even wrote a poem for her.
In 1577, a portrait of Elizabeth was painted by an unknown artist, after George Gower. The painting shows her with curly hair and a black hat with a feather. She is wearing a fancy, decorated gown. These details suggest that she might not have shared her husband's very strict Puritan views on simple dress. Lady Leighton gave Queen Elizabeth a similar black hat as a gift in 1578 or 1579. The Queen also gave Lady Leighton many New Year's presents.
Elizabeth's Children
Lady Leighton and her husband had three children:
- Thomas (born 1584), who married Mary Zouche.
- Elizabeth (died January 12, 1633), who married Sherington Talbot and had children.
- Anne (died July 1628), who married Sir John St John, 1st Baronet. She had 13 children.
Later Life and Legacy
Elizabeth Knollys, Lady Leighton, died around 1605. After her death, her yearly payment of £200 was given to another noblewoman, Elizabeth Howard, Lady Carrick.
The character of Lady Penelope Knollys in the children's mystery books, the Lady Grace Mysteries, might be based on Lady Elizabeth Knollys. In these books, Penelope is a maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth I. She is also a friend to the main character, Lady Grace Cavendish. In the books, Penelope's father is Sir John Knollys. She marries Thomas Penn in 1570, not Thomas Leighton. The name Penelope was actually the name of Lady Elizabeth's real niece.
