Elizabeth Roper facts for kids
Elizabeth Roper (who passed away in 1658) was an important person in the royal household of Anne of Denmark, who was the Queen of England and Scotland. Elizabeth later married Robert Mansell, a smart businessman who made glass. She became very involved in his glass-making company. A historian named Alice Clark even called her a "capitalist" because of her clever business skills.
Sometimes, she was also known as Anne Roper. After she married, people called her Elizabeth Mansell or Lady Mansell.
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Life at Court: Serving the Queen
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Elizabeth Roper was likely the daughter of Christopher Roper, the 2nd Baron Teynham. Her family lived at Lynsted Lodge in Lynsted, England.
In 1604, Elizabeth became a Maid of Honour to Queen Anne of Denmark. This was a special job helping the Queen. She was one of six young women chosen for this role.
The Queen's household was very busy. In 1612, Elizabeth Roper received special mourning clothes when Prince Henry, the Queen's son, sadly passed away. In 1613, she joined the Queen on a trip to Bath. They even had dinner with the mayor of Wells!
Marriage to Sir Robert Mansell
In March 1617, Elizabeth Roper married Sir Robert Mansell. The Queen herself paid for their wedding party at Denmark House. People noted that Mansell married "his old mistress Roper," meaning she was a lady he had known for a long time at court. After their marriage, Elizabeth was known as Lady Mansell. They did not have any children.
Robert Mansell was a very important person. He had been the Treasurer of the Navy since 1604. This meant he managed the money for the King's ships.
A Smart Businesswoman: Glass Making
Sir Robert Mansell became very interested in making glass around 1611. In 1618, he bought out another glass business. This meant he became a major player in the glass industry.
Lady Elizabeth Mansell became deeply involved in her husband's business. She made important decisions, especially when Sir Robert was away. For example, when an architect named Inigo Jones reported on the quality of their glass, Lady Mansell decided to switch the type of coal they used. She changed from Scottish coal to Newcastle coal for their glass factories in London.
Protecting the Business
Lady Mansell was very protective of their glass business. She complained to the King's council about rivals trying to steal their skilled workers. She worked hard to stop these attempts to harm their company. She did this while her husband was traveling or at sea.
In 1621, Lady Mansell even asked King James for help. Other glass-makers were trying to copy their special glass-making methods. She told the King that these rivals thought she was "a weak woman" who couldn't handle the business. But she proved them wrong!
In 1623, some glass workers complained that Lady Mansell had cut their pay. They said they couldn't support their families. This shows how directly involved she was in managing the business and its workers.
Later Life
Lady Mansell was part of the funeral procession for Queen Anne of Denmark. This shows her continued importance in the royal court.
Elizabeth Roper passed away in 1658. She was buried at St Alfege Church, Greenwich, on November 19, 1658.
