Katherine Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon facts for kids

Katherine Hastings (born Dudley) was an important English noblewoman. She was known as the Countess of Huntingdon. She was born around 1538 to 1545 and passed away on August 14, 1620.

Katherine was the youngest daughter of John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, a powerful man in England. Her mother was Jane Guildford. Katherine was also the sister of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, who was a close friend and favorite of Elizabeth I, the Queen of England.

Early Life and Marriage

Katherine Dudley was very young when she was promised in marriage to Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon. This happened on May 25, 1553. Henry was the son of Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon.

According to her mother's will, Katherine was still under 12 years old in January 1555. The will even mentioned that the marriage could be called off if either Katherine or Henry changed their minds.

By the spring of 1559, Katherine Hastings was definitely married. When her father-in-law died in 1560, she became the Countess of Huntingdon. She and her husband did not have any children.

Life as Countess

For many years, Katherine lived with her husband in the central and northern parts of England. She spent her time educating young women from noble families.

Some of her students became famous later on. These included Lady Margaret Hoby, who kept a diary, and Dionys Fitzherbert, who wrote her life story. Katherine also taught her brother Robert's stepdaughters, Penelope and Dorothy Devereux.

Like her husband, Katherine was a strong Protestant. This meant she followed a branch of Christianity that was different from the traditional Catholic church. She also had leanings towards the Puritans, a group who wanted to make the Church of England simpler.

Later Life and Friendship with the Queen

After her husband, the Earl of Huntingdon, died in December 1595, Katherine moved to the royal court. She became one of Queen Elizabeth I's closest friends.

When Katherine was younger, the Queen had sometimes doubted her husband's loyalty. This was because his family, the House of Plantagenet, had a claim to the throne. But later, Katherine and the Queen became very close.

Katherine faced some money problems after her husband's death. She owed about £2400. In March 1597, she asked the Queen for help to get control of her property. By February 1598, she was visiting the Queen privately twice a day.

Her disagreements with the new earl, George Hastings, 4th Earl of Huntingdon, about her property and her husband's debts were settled on February 15. He would take over the Savoy House.

Katherine, Countess of Huntingdon, passed away in Chelsea, London on August 14, 1620. She was buried in her mother's tomb at Chelsea Old Church.