Jane Howard, Countess of Westmorland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jane Howard |
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| St Mary's Church, Kenninghall, burial place of Jane Howard | |
| Spouse(s) | Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland |
| Issue | |
| Margaret Neville Katherine Neville Anne Neville Eleanor Neville son whose first name is unknown |
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| Noble family | Howard (by birth) Neville (by marriage) |
| Born | 1533–1537 |
| Burial | 30 June 1593 Kenninghall, Norfolk |
Jane Neville, born Jane Howard, was an important English noblewoman. She was known as the Countess of Westmorland. She lived from about 1533 or 1537 until her burial on June 30, 1593.
Contents
Jane's Family Background
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Jane Howard was born between 1533 and 1537. Her parents were Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and Frances de Vere.
Her paternal grandparents were Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, and Elizabeth Stafford. Her maternal grandparents were John de Vere, 15th Earl of Oxford, and Elizabeth Trussell.
Jane had two brothers: Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, and Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton. She also had two sisters. Katherine Howard married Henry Berkeley, 7th Baron Berkeley. Margaret Howard married Henry Scrope, 9th Baron Scrope of Bolton. Margaret was born after their father passed away.
Early Life and Education
Jane's father, the Earl of Surrey, was accused of treason and found guilty. He was beheaded on January 19, 1547. After his death, in 1548, Jane and her siblings were cared for by their aunt, Mary FitzRoy.
Their aunt hired John Foxe, a famous writer, to be their teacher. Under Foxe's guidance, Jane became very skilled in Latin and Greek. She was so good that she could "compete with the most learned men of the age."
Even though she was taught by Foxe, who was a Protestant, Jane remained a Roman Catholic. Most of her family were Catholic. Her father had faced problems partly because he was Catholic. Her grandfather, the 3rd Duke of Norfolk, was held in the Tower for being Catholic. He was released when the Catholic Queen Mary came to power.
Marriage and Political Involvement
Around 1563 or 1564, Jane Howard married Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland. He became an Earl after his father died in 1564.
In November 1569, her husband, Charles Neville, joined the Earl of Northumberland in a major uprising. This event was called the Northern Rebellion. The rebels wanted to change the government and bring back the Catholic religion.
The Northern Rebellion
At first, the rebellion had some success. But then Queen Elizabeth sent her forces north. Westmorland and Northumberland had to escape to the Scottish border. They were declared rebels by the Queen's forces.
Northumberland was captured. However, Westmorland found safety with Lord Kerr at Ferniehirst Castle. He then managed to escape by sea in 1570. He went to the Spanish Netherlands and lived there in exile until he died.
In 1571, her husband lost all his titles and honors because of his actions. After this, Queen Elizabeth gave Jane a yearly payment of £200 for the rest of her life.
Jane's Role in the Rebellion
Before the Northern Rebellion began in 1569, Jane played a big part in gathering support. She was well-educated but perhaps not very good at understanding political plans. She was one of the first to encourage the rebels to rise against Queen Elizabeth.
Jane expected Queen Elizabeth to forgive her when the rebellion failed. She hoped to arrange a marriage between her brother, Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, and Mary, Queen of Scots. Her plan was to put them both on England's throne. This would also bring back the Catholic religion in England.
Her brother was executed for treason in 1572. Jane lived under house arrest for the rest of her life. This meant she was confined to her home and could not leave freely.
Jane Neville was buried on June 30, 1593, in Kenninghall, Norfolk.
Children of Jane and Charles
On August 28, 1564, Jane Howard married Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland. They had one son and four daughters:
- Lord Neville (born 1569 – died April 21, 1571). His first name is not known.
- Margaret Neville, who married Nicholas Pudsey.
- Katherine Neville, who married Sir Thomas Grey. She did not have any children.
- Anne Neville, who married Sir David Ingleby. She did not have any sons.
- Eleanor Neville, who died unmarried before June 25, 1604.
