Magdalen Dacre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Magdalen Dacre
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|---|---|
| Viscountess Montagu | |
| Born | January 1538 Naworth Castle, Cumberland, England |
| Died | 8 April 1608 Battle Abbey, Sussex |
| Noble family | Dacre |
| Spouse(s) | Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu |
| Issue | Philip Browne Sir Henry Browne George Browne Sir Anthony Browne Jane Browne Mary Browne Elizabeth Browne Mabel Browne Thomas Browne William Browne |
| Father | William Dacre, 3rd Baron Dacre |
| Mother | Elizabeth Talbot |
| Occupation | Maid of Honour |
Magdalen Dacre, Viscountess Montagu (born January 1538 – died 8 April 1608), was an important English noblewoman. She was the daughter of William Dacre, 3rd Baron Dacre and the second wife of Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu. Magdalen was a strong Roman Catholic. She served as a Maid of Honour at the wedding of Mary I of England to Philip II of Spain. Even though she was Catholic, Magdalen stayed in good standing with the next queen, Elizabeth I, who was Protestant. Historians say she was a great example of how a very religious Catholic could get along if they didn't challenge the queen's rule.
Early Life and Royal Service
Magdalen Dacre was born in January 1538 at Naworth Castle in Cumberland, England. She was the fifth child of William Dacre, 3rd Baron Dacre and Elizabeth Talbot. Her family, the Dacres, were powerful lords in northern England and very devoted Catholics.
When Magdalen was born, King Henry VIII had already separated the Church of England from the Pope in Rome. This led to England becoming Protestant. Even with these big changes, Magdalen and her brothers and sisters were raised as Roman Catholics by their family.
Magdalen's grandparents were also important figures. Her paternal grandparents were Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre and Elizabeth Greystoke. Her maternal grandparents were George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury and Anne Hastings.
When she was 13, Magdalen worked as a gentlewoman for Anne Sapcote, Countess of Bedford.
In 1553, King Edward VI died when he was 15 years old. Mary I, Henry VIII's daughter, became Queen. England then returned to being Roman Catholic. In 1554, Queen Mary decided to marry Philip II of Spain. Their wedding happened at Winchester Cathedral on 25 July 1554. Magdalen Dacre was chosen as a Maid of Honour and was part of the Queen's wedding procession.
People at court described Magdalen as very pretty and blonde. She was also very tall, standing taller than many other maids of honour.
Marriage and Life at Court
On 15 July 1558, Magdalen married Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu. He was a trusted advisor to the King and Queen. The wedding took place at St. James's Palace. Anthony was 10 years older than Magdalen. He was also a widower with children from his first marriage. Queen Mary I attended their wedding because of their important connections. The Browne family, like the Dacres, were also strong Catholics. Their main homes were Cowdray Castle and Battle Abbey in Sussex. Anthony and Magdalen had ten children together.
When Queen Elizabeth I came to the throne in 1558, England became Protestant again. This meant that Catholic families like the Montagus had to decide if they would be loyal to the Pope or to the new Protestant Queen. Anthony Browne and Magdalen's brother, Lord Dacre, said they would support the Pope if he came in peace. But they would serve the Queen if he came with war.
Magdalen managed to stay in Queen Elizabeth's good graces, even though she was Catholic. This was despite her close friendship with the late Queen Mary and some of her Dacre relatives plotting against Queen Elizabeth. The Montagus even hosted Queen Elizabeth at their home, Cowdray Castle, for a week in 1591. During this visit, they had to hide any Catholic priests. Magdalen was very religious and was said to wear simple clothes under her fancy court dresses.
Magdalen was only accused once of not attending Protestant church services. Even though she allowed a printing press on her property, she never helped with any plots against the Queen.
Magdalen Dacre passed away at Battle Abbey, Sussex, on 8 April 1608, when she was 70 years old. She was first buried in Midhurst Church, where a beautiful tomb with her statue was built. Later, in 1851, her tomb was moved to Easebourne Church.
In Arts and Stories
A famous composer named William Byrd (who was Catholic) wrote a special song for Magdalen Dacre in 1608, the year she died. It's called With lilies white and is still a well-known piece of music.
Magdalen Dacre also appears as a character in a historical romance novel called Green Darkness by Anya Seton. This book is partly set in England during the 1500s.
