Mabel Harington facts for kids

Mabel Harington (died 1603) was an important lady at the court of Elizabeth I of England. She was the sixth daughter of Sir James Harington and Lucy Harington. Her mother was the daughter of Sir William Sidney from Penshurst, Kent. Mabel married Sir Andrew Noel of Dalby and Brooke. They had seven children together. She passed away in 1603.

Life at Court

The Octagon lodge of Brooke House, built by the Noel family on the site of Brooke Priory.

Mabel Harington married Sir Andrew Noel (who died in 1607). He was the son of Andrew Noel and Elizabeth Hopton. After her marriage, people knew her as "Lady Noel" or "Lady Nowell."

In 1587, Mabel attended the funeral of Mary, Queen of Scots. This important event took place at Peterborough Cathedral. Mabel went with her sister, Elizabeth, Lady Montagu.

Andrew Noel's brother, Henry Noel, was also part of the court. He was a poet and supported the musician John Dowland. People said he was a gentleman pensioner to the queen. Henry died on February 28, 1597. This happened after he played a ball game called baloune at court. He played against an Italian opponent.

A letter from Rowland Whyte in April mentioned something interesting. Queen Elizabeth was upset with one of her maids of honor, Elizabeth Brydges. Elizabeth Brydges was watching a game of ballon instead of doing her duties. Elizabeth Brydges was the daughter of Giles Brydges, 3rd Baron Chandos. He likely supported Henry Noel.

On February 23, 1600, an envoy named Louis Verreycken visited Queen Elizabeth. He was from the Spanish Netherlands. Many important ladies and "fair maids" of the court were there. They were all dressed in beautiful white clothes. This group included Mabel, Lady Noel, and her sisters Sarah, Lady Hastings and Theodosia, Lady Dudley. They waited in the presence chamber to see the queen.

We know Mabel wrote three letters to her sister Elizabeth Harington. Elizabeth was married to Edward Montagu of Boughton. These letters still exist today.

Mabel Harington died in the year 1603.

Her Family

Mabel and Sir Andrew Noel had several children. Here are some of them:

• Edward Noel (1582-1643) married Julianna Hickes in 1605. She was the daughter of Sir Baptist Hicks.
• Charles Noel (1591-1619) has a special monument at St Peter's Church in Brooke, Rutland.
• Arthur Noel
• Alexander Noel of Whitwell married Mary Palmer. She was the daughter of Sir Thomas Palmer.
• Lucy Noel married William Eure, 4th Baron Eure in 1601.
• Elizabeth Noel married two times. First, she married George Tuchet, 1st Earl of Castlehaven. Later, she married Sir Piers Crosby.
• Theodosia Noel (1578-1618) married Edward Cecil, 1st Viscount Wimbledon.