Elizabeth Pierrepont facts for kids

Elizabeth Pierrepont, often called Bess Pierrepont, was a young woman who lived from 1568 to 1648. She worked as a gentlewoman in the household of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary hoped that Bess could eventually serve Queen Elizabeth of England. Mary also tried to prevent Bess from marrying, even though Bess's father wanted her to.

Bess Pierrepont's Early Life and Family

Bess Pierrepont was the daughter of Henry Pierrepont and Frances Cavendish. Her family lived at Holme Pierrepont Hall near Nottingham. Bess was also the granddaughter of a very famous and wealthy woman named Bess of Hardwick.

A French diplomat, Guillaume de l'Aubespine de Châteauneuf, wrote that Bess was a niece of the Earl of Shrewsbury. She joined Mary, Queen of Scots' household in England when she was very young. Bess ate at Mary's table and even slept in her room.

Life with Mary, Queen of Scots

In September 1583, Mary, Queen of Scots, was staying at Worksop Manor. She wrote a letter to Bess Pierrepont, who was visiting her family at home. Mary thanked Bess for her letter and a gift. She also planned to send Bess a black dress with special decorations or jewelry from London.

Mary, Queen of Scots was held at Tutbury Castle, which was close to a house belonging to Bess Pierrepont's parents.

Mary's keeper, Ralph Sadler, described Bess's father as a "peevish Papist" to Francis Walsingham. This meant Sadler thought Henry Pierrepont was a stubborn Catholic. In April 1585, Bess's father invited her to visit them at Woodhouse. This place was quite close to Tutbury Castle, where Mary was held. Her family planned to move further away soon.

Henry Pierrepont expected Bess to come right away. He sent his servant with a bag for her clothes. Ralph Sadler did not like this at all. He told Henry Pierrepont's servant that they should have asked him first. Sadler also felt it was a shame that Bess was being "nourished and brought up here in Popery," meaning she was being raised as a Catholic.

Marriage Plans for Bess Pierrepont

Bess Pierrepont seemed to have a close relationship with Mary's French secretary, Claude Nau. In April 1586, Nau sent a friend to talk to Bess's father about marriage. Nau sent letters about these marriage talks to a secretary of the French ambassador. These letters were carried by a double agent named Gilbert Gifford.

Mary's Thoughts on Bess's Marriage

At first, Mary was not in favor of Bess marrying Claude Nau. She wrote that when Bess was 17, she could marry. Mary thought that married life might even improve Bess's appearance. She also worried that keeping Bess unmarried in her household might upset Bess's grandmother, Bess of Hardwick. Mary also thought that Bess's marriage would help her younger sister, Grace Pierrepont, find a husband too. However, the marriage between Bess and Nau never happened.

Bess Pierrepont's Future Plans

Several letters from Mary, Queen of Scots, to the French ambassador Guillaume de l'Aubespine de Châteauneuf talked about plans for Bess Pierrepont. In May 1586, Mary thought about sending Bess back to her parents. This was partly because Mary had argued with Bess of Hardwick, Bess's grandmother.

In June, Bess's father asked Queen Elizabeth for permission for his daughter to leave Mary's service. He wanted Bess to leave so she could get married. However, Mary did not want Bess to go. Henry Pierrepont sent horses to pick her up from Chartley Castle, but Mary would not let her leave. This was despite arguments from her keeper, Amias Paulet.

In July, Mary wrote that she had no special plans for Bess's marriage. Mary had raised Bess in her household since Bess was four years old. Mary had hoped that Bess would become a servant to Queen Elizabeth. But now, Mary wanted Bess to leave. She said Bess reminded her too much of Bess of Hardwick. Mary also thought Bess would not be a good wife for any of her friends.

Rumors During the Babington Plot

In August 1586, Amias Paulet considered firing Bess Pierrepont's maid. He placed the maid in Mr. Chetwynd's house at Ingestre. When people were arrested in connection with the Babington Plot in September 1586, there was a rumor. People said that Bess Pierrepont had been taken to the Tower of London.

A French diplomat, Charles de Prunelé, Baron d'Esneval, wrote about the rumors. Some people thought the female prisoner in the Tower was not Bess Pierrepont, but Mary, Queen of Scots, herself. One of Mary's secret code writers, Jérôme Pasquier, was taken to the Tower from Chartley.

Bess Pierrepont's Later Life

Some historical records suggest that Bess Pierrepont might be the "Elizabeth Pierrepont" who married Sir Thomas Erskine in 1604.

She is also identified as the wife of Richard Stapleton of Carlton. She was also the mother of the courtier and poet Robert Stapylton. Bess Pierrepont passed away in 1648.