Lucy Somerset facts for kids

Lady Lucy Neville (born around 1524, died 1583) was an important English noblewoman. Her parents were Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester and Elizabeth Browne. Lucy worked at the royal court. She was a Maid of Honour for Queen Catherine Howard. Later, she became a Lady-in-waiting for Queen Catherine Parr. In 1545, Lucy married John Neville, 4th Baron Latimer. He was the stepson of Queen Catherine Parr.

Her Family Background

Lucy Somerset was born about 1524. Her father was Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester. Her mother was Elizabeth Browne. Elizabeth's father was Sir Anthony Browne. He was a governor and a military leader.

Lucy's mother, Elizabeth, was also the daughter of Lucy Neville. This Lucy Neville was the daughter of John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu. He was an important nobleman.

Lucy Neville was also related to Queen Catherine Parr. Her great-aunt, Lady Alice FitzHugh, was Queen Catherine Parr's great-grandmother. Lucy was also a cousin to Anne and Mary Brandon. Their aunt married Sir Charles Brandon.

Life at the Royal Court

Lucy was sent to the court of King Henry VIII. She worked there as a Maid of Honour. This meant she helped and attended to the Queen. At that time, the Queen was Catherine Howard, King Henry VIII's fifth wife.

In 1543, King Henry VIII married his sixth wife, Catherine Parr. She was known as the Dowager Lady Latimer. After Lucy married in 1545, she was invited to join Queen Catherine's household. Lucy became a Lady-in-waiting to the new Queen. She was part of the Queen's close group of friends and helpers.

Marriage and Children

In 1545, Lucy married John Neville, 4th Baron Latimer. He was born around 1520 and died in 1577. John was the stepson of Queen Catherine Parr. After their marriage, Lucy became the new Baroness Latimer.

Lucy and John had four daughters together. These daughters later shared their father's inheritance. They also became co-heiresses to the title of Baron Latimer.

• Catherine Neville (1546 – 1596): She married Henry Percy, 8th Earl of Northumberland. They had children.
• Dorothy Neville (1547 – 1609): She married Thomas Cecil, 1st Earl of Exeter. They also had children.
• Lucy Neville (died 1608): She married Sir William Cornwallis. They had children.
• Elizabeth Neville (c. 1550 – 1630): She married Sir John Danvers. They had children. Later, she married Sir Edmund Carey.

All of their daughters had children from their first marriages.

Lord Latimer passed away in 1577. He did not have any sons. Because of this, his four daughters became his joint heiresses. The title of Baron Latimer was put on hold until 1913. It was then given to a distant relative, Francis Money-Coutts, 5th Baron Latymer.

Her Passing

Lucy Neville passed away on February 23, 1583. She was buried in Hackney. This was her wish, which she wrote in her will on November 16, 1582.