Margaret, Duchess of Norfolk facts for kids

Margaret of Norfolk (born around 1322, died March 24, 1399) was a very important noblewoman in medieval England. She was the daughter of Thomas of Brotherton, who was a son of King Edward I of England. This made her a granddaughter of a king!

Margaret inherited special titles. In 1338, she became the Countess of Norfolk. She also took on the role of Earl Marshal, which was a powerful job usually held by men. Later, in 1397, she was given an even higher title: Duchess of Norfolk. She held this title for the rest of her life.

Her Royal Family Tree

Margaret was born around 1322. Her father was Thomas of Brotherton, and her mother was Alice de Hales. Her grandparents on her father's side were King Edward I and Queen Margaret of France. This means she was part of the royal House of Plantagenet.

Margaret had a brother named Edward of Norfolk. He married Beatrice Mortimer, but he died young without having any children. She also had a sister named Alice of Norfolk, who married Sir Edward Montagu.

Life as a Noblewoman

Margaret's life was full of important events and challenges.

First Marriage and Challenges

In 1335, Margaret married John Segrave, 4th Baron Segrave. They had four children together. However, Margaret was not happy in this marriage. In 1350, she tried to get her marriage officially ended, which is called an annulment. She said that she had been promised to John when she was too young, and she never truly agreed to be his wife.

Margaret wanted to travel to another country to ask the Pope for the annulment herself. King Edward III told her she couldn't leave England. But Margaret decided to go anyway, secretly traveling across the sea. She even got special permission to travel safely from the King of France.

King Edward III was worried about Margaret's children. If her marriage was annulled, her children might be seen as illegitimate, meaning they wouldn't have the same rights to inherit titles or marry into important families. One of her sons, also named John, was supposed to marry Blanche of Lancaster. Blanche was a cousin of the King and from a very powerful family. However, this marriage plan later changed.

Around 1349, a special double wedding happened. Margaret's son, John de Segrave, married Blanche de Mowbray. At the same time, Margaret's daughter, Elizabeth de Segrave, married Blanche's brother, John de Mowbray, 4th Baron Mowbray. Sadly, Margaret's son John died around 1353. This made his sister, Elizabeth, the next Baroness Segrave.

A New Marriage

Margaret's first husband, John Segrave, died in 1353 before her annulment could be finalized. Soon after, in 1354, she married Sir Walter Manny, 1st Baron Manny. She married him without getting the King's permission first. They were married for 18 years and had three children together. Sir Walter died in London in 1372.

On September 29, 1397, Margaret was given the special title of Duchess of Norfolk for the rest of her life. She passed away on March 24, 1399, and was buried in London.

Her Home: Framlingham Castle

Framlingham Castle

Margaret was most likely born at Framlingham Castle in Suffolk, England. This castle was given to her father by her uncle, King Edward II, before she was born. So, it was her childhood home. When her father died, Margaret inherited the castle herself.

Her Children and Legacy

Margaret had children from both of her marriages.

Children with John Segrave

With her first husband, John Segrave, 4th Baron Segrave, she had two sons and two daughters:

• John de Segrave, who died when he was very young.
• John de Segrave (died before 1353). He was supposed to marry Blanche of Lancaster, but that plan changed. Instead, he married Blanche Mowbray.
• Elizabeth de Segrave, who became the 5th Baroness Segrave. She married John de Mowbray, 4th Baron Mowbray.
• Margaret de Segrave, who also died young.

Children with Walter Manny

With her second husband, Sir Walter de Manny, 1st Baron Manny, she had one son and two daughters:

• Thomas Manny, who sadly drowned in a well when he was only five years old.
• Anne Manny, 2nd Baroness Manny, who married John Hastings, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. They had one son, John Hastings, 3rd Earl of Pembroke. He died at age 17 in a jousting accident without having any children.
• Isabel Manny, who died young without having any children.

A Unique Noblewoman

Margaret was a very special noblewoman. Because her brother died without children, she inherited the title of Countess of Norfolk when her father passed away in 1338. She also took on the important job of Earl Marshal. This was very unusual because she is the only woman known to have held this powerful position in English history!

In Stories

Margaret is a character in a book called My Lord John by Georgette Heyer. In the story, she is shown as a kind but strong older lady. She is sad because many of her children and grandchildren died, especially her young son Thomas. In her later years, the book shows her worrying about the future of England because of how her cousin, King Richard II, was ruling.