Lady Bridget Manners facts for kids
Lady Bridget Manners (who died in 1604) was an important person at the court of Elizabeth I, the Queen of England. She worked as a "maid of honour," which meant she helped the Queen and was part of her close circle. Bridget was the oldest daughter of John Manners, 4th Earl of Rutland and his wife Elizabeth Charlton.
Life at Queen Elizabeth's Court
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Bridget Manners began working for Queen Elizabeth I in 1589. She was helped by important ladies like the Countess of Bedford and Lady Talbot. Bridget's mother even sent money to the Countess of Bedford to make sure Bridget had the right clothes for court.
Her uncle, Roger Manners, also helped her join the royal household. He was a "squire of the body," a special helper to the Queen. He even wrote Bridget a letter with advice on how to behave at court.
Bridget quickly became one of the Queen's favorites. She was given an important job as the Queen's "carver." This meant she was responsible for serving the Queen's food.
In 1593, a writer named Barnabe Barnes wrote a poem about Bridget. He called her a beautiful rose in Queen Elizabeth's crown. This shows how admired she was at court.
Secret Marriage
In August 1594, Bridget Manners secretly married Robert Tyrwhitt. She had left the court to get better after having the measles.
Queen Elizabeth was very angry about this secret marriage. Bridget's uncle, Roger Manners, wrote that the Queen saw it as a "great offense." She planned to punish them.
Bridget went to stay with the Countess of Bedford in the countryside. Robert Tyrwhitt was called to London. He was put in jail for marrying without the Queen's permission. The Queen even changed her travel plans because she was so upset.
To get Robert Tyrwhitt out of jail, Bridget's brother, Roger Manners, who was now the Earl of Rutland, had to pay a sum of money.
Later Life and Death
Bridget Manners died on July 10, 1604. She is remembered on a monument in Bigby, Lincolnshire. This monument lists her children: William, Robert, Rutland, and Bridget. Her husband, Robert Tyrwhitt, died in 1617.
