Elizabeth Southwell (courtier) facts for kids
Elizabeth Southwell (1584–1631) was an English lady who worked at the royal court. She later moved to Florence, Italy.
Elizabeth was the daughter of Sir Robert Southwell and Elizabeth Howard. Her grandfather was Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham.
Contents
Life at Court: A Young Lady's Journey
Serving the Queen: Maid of Honour
In 1599, Elizabeth was chosen to be a "maid of honour" for Elizabeth I, the Queen of England. A maid of honour was a young noblewoman who helped the Queen and attended to her needs. Elizabeth joined the Queen's court in January 1600.
After Queen Elizabeth I died, Elizabeth Southwell continued her role as a maid of honour for the new queen, Anne of Denmark. This shows she was a trusted and important person in the royal household.
Royal Entertainment: Dances and Masques
Elizabeth was part of many exciting events at court. In June 1600, she danced in a special performance called a masque. This was like a play with music, dancing, and elaborate costumes. The dancers wore beautiful silver skirts and colorful embroidered tops. They also had long, loose hair that was "curiously knotted and interlaced."
Elizabeth also took part in another big event called the Harefield Entertainment in August 1602. These events were important for entertaining the Queen and her guests.
A New Chapter: Life Abroad
Leaving England: A Bold Decision
In 1605, Elizabeth Southwell made a big decision. She left England with her cousin, Robert Dudley. Robert was the son of the famous Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester. They traveled to Europe.
Reports from the time say that Elizabeth and her servant stayed in a religious house in Brussels. Later, she married Robert Dudley in Lyon, France.
Marriage and Challenges: A Complicated Union
Elizabeth's marriage to Robert Dudley was not simple. In England, some people questioned if the marriage was legal. This was because Robert Dudley had been married before, and his first marriage was still a topic of debate. One person, Sir Francis Leake, even wrote that if Robert married Elizabeth, it would be "felony" under the laws at the time. This meant it was considered against the law. Even the Pope was said to have questioned the marriage.
Later Years and Legacy
Elizabeth and Robert Dudley had a daughter named Anne, who sadly passed away in 1629.
Elizabeth Southwell herself died in 1631. She was buried in San Pancrazio, Florence, Italy. At the time of her death, she was 37 years old. A portrait of her was also created as part of an Italian family crest.
