Isabel Leigh facts for kids

Isabel Leigh, Lady Stumpe (born around 1496 – died February 16, 1573) was an important lady at the royal court in England. She served her younger half-sister, Catherine Howard, who became the fifth wife and Queen Consort of Henry VIII.

Early Life and Family

Isabel was the first child of Joyce Culpeper and Sir Ralph Leigh. She had two younger sisters and two younger brothers:

• Margaret Leigh (born around 1500)
• Joyce Leigh (born around 1504)
• John Leigh (born around 1502)
• Ralph Leigh (born around 1498; died around 1561)

After her father, Ralph Leigh, died around 1509 or 1510, Isabel's mother, Joyce, married again. She married Lord Edmund Howard around 1513 or 1515. Isabel gained six half-siblings from this marriage, including Catherine Howard, who would later become Queen.

Marriages and Children

Isabel Leigh married Sir Edward Bayntun on January 18, 1531. Edward was from Bromham, Wiltshire. They had three children together:

• Henry Baynton (born around 1536)
• Francis Baynton (born 1537)
• Anne Baynton (died young)

After Edward Bayntun passed away in 1544, Isabel married Sir James Stumpe of Malmesbury, Wiltshire. James had been married to Isabel's step-daughter, Bridget. Isabel and James married after Bridget died in 1545. James Stumpe died in 1563.

Isabel married a third time to Thomas Stafford around 1565.

Royal Connections

Isabel and her husband Edward Bayntun had close ties to the royal family. Edward was in charge of the household for all of Henry VIII's later queens, including Catherine Howard.

When Catherine Howard became Queen, Isabel became one of her special attendants, known as a Lady of the Privy Chamber. These ladies helped the Queen with her daily life and were very close to her.

In 1541, when Queen Catherine was removed from court, Isabel was one of only four ladies allowed to stay with her. This shows how loyal Isabel was. Records from that time mention that Queen Catherine had given Isabel a valuable "girdle of gold."

For a short time, Isabel also helped care for Henry VIII's daughters, Mary I of England and Elizabeth I, who would both later become queens.

Later Life and Death

In 1550, Isabel gained control of a former monastery in Edington, Wiltshire, along with Edward Hastings.

Isabel Leigh, Lady Stumpe, passed away in February 1573. After her death, her son Henry took over some of the family's properties.