Elizabeth Trentham, Countess of Oxford facts for kids

Elizabeth de Vere, Countess of Oxford, also known as Elizabeth Trentham, was an important woman in England during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. She was the second wife of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, who was a well-known courtier and poet. She was born around 1560 and passed away in December 1612.

Early Life and Family

Elizabeth Trentham was born in Rocester, a town in Staffordshire, England. Her parents were Thomas Trentham and Jane Sneyd. Her father, Thomas Trentham, was a respected gentleman in the county.

Elizabeth had two brothers, Francis and Thomas, and two sisters, Dorothy and Katherine. Her brother Francis continued the family name. Her sisters, Dorothy and Katherine, were already married by 1586.

Family's Role in History

Elizabeth's father, Thomas Trentham, was chosen by the Privy Council to help escort Mary, Queen of Scots to her trial in 1586. The Privy Council was a group of trusted advisors to the monarch. This shows how important her family was in England at the time.

Life at Court and Marriage

Elizabeth Trentham served as a Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth I for at least ten years. A Maid of Honour was a young noblewoman who attended the Queen. Records show she exchanged gifts with the Queen in the 1580s and was known for her beauty.

Meeting the Earl of Oxford

Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, needed a new wife and an heir (a son to inherit his title and lands). His first wife had passed away, and he also had many debts. He owed a large sum of money to the Crown, which was the government at the time.

Elizabeth Trentham came from a wealthy family. Her father's will left her a dowry of £1,000. A dowry was money or property a bride brought to her marriage. This was a lot of money back then, but it was only a small part of what the Earl of Oxford owed.

Wedding and New Home

Elizabeth and Edward de Vere were married around December 1591. The Queen even gave a gift to the new Countess. After their wedding, they lived in Stoke Newington. Their son, Henry de Vere, was born there in February 1593.

Protecting Family Wealth

In 1597, Elizabeth Trentham and her family bought a large house called King's Place in Hackney. This was a clever move because it helped protect her family's wealth from her husband's many debts. King's Place was a grand country house with beautiful gardens.

It remained their main home in London until the Earl of Oxford passed away in 1604. Later, in 1609, Elizabeth sold King's Place and moved to another area of London.

Repurchasing a Family Castle

The de Vere family's historic home, Hedingham Castle, had been sold by the Earl of Oxford to his first wife's father. In 1609, Elizabeth Trentham bought Castle Hedingham back. She did this so her son, Henry de Vere, could inherit it as the next Earl of Oxford.

Elizabeth Trentham was a very intelligent and independent woman. Her letters show she was good at handling legal and business matters.

Issue

• Henry de Vere, 18th Earl of Oxford (1593–1625): He was Elizabeth's only child with Edward de Vere. In 1624, he married Diana Cecil, who brought a large fortune to the marriage. However, they did not have any children.

Death

Elizabeth, the Dowager Countess of Oxford, passed away around January 1613. She was buried in Hackney, London. Her will, written in November 1612, left money to her son, family, friends, servants, and even to the poor people of Hackney and Castle Hedingham. She also gave money to London prisons and hospitals.