Margery Norris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margery Norris
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detail of her in Westminster Abbey
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| Died | December 1599  |
| Spouse(s) | Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys |
| Children | John Norris, Edward Norreys, Henry Norreys, Thomas Norris, Catherine Norris, William Norreys |
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Margery Norris (1521 – 1599) was an important person in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. She, her husband, and their six sons all worked for the English crown. Today, you can see a very large monument dedicated to them in Westminster Abbey.
Contents
Life of Margery Norris
Margery Norris was born in 1521. Her parents were John Williams, 1st Baron Williams of Thame and Elizabeth Edmonds. She had three brothers named John, Henry, and Francis. She also had a sister named Isabel.
Marriage and Royal Connections
Margery married Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys between 1542 and 1544. Her father supported her husband, especially when he was not favored by Queen Mary. Margery's father introduced both Margery and Henry to the future Queen Princess Elizabeth.
Princess Elizabeth often stayed at Rycote, the family home. Margery's father was one of Elizabeth's guardians. This helped Margery and her husband become very close friends with Princess Elizabeth.
In 1572, Queen Elizabeth I made Margery's husband a baron. This meant he became a lord, known as Baron Norreys.
Margery's Children
Margery Norris had seven children. Her six sons became famous soldiers. They served England in many battles.
- Sir John Norreys (1547 – 1597) was known as "Black Jack."
- Sir William Norreys (1548 – 1579) worked as a Marshal in Berwick.
- Sir Edward Norreys (c. 1550 – 1603) was the Governor of Ostend in 1590.
- Catherine Norreys (c. 1553 – ) married Sir Anthony Paulet. He was the Governor of Jersey.
- Sir Henry Norreys (1554–1599) fought in the Netherlands and Ireland.
- Sir Thomas Norreys (1556–1599) was the Lord President of Munster in Ireland.
- Maximilian Norreys (c. 1557 – 1591) was buried in Jersey.
Queen Elizabeth I cared deeply for Margery. When all of Margery's other sons had died in battle, the Queen sent Edward home. She wanted Margery to have one of her sons alive. Margery died shortly after this, in 1599. The Queen even canceled a large debt of £2,000 that the family owed.
Margery was buried in the church at Rycote. Her husband, Henry, was buried next to her in 1601.
Norris Family Monument
Margery and her husband are remembered with a very large monument. It is eight meters tall and stands in St. Andrew's Chapel in Westminster Abbey. The monument was made by Isaac James around 1606.
Monument Details
The monument shows life-size statues, called effigies, of Lord and Lady Norreys. They are lying down under a fancy stone canopy. This canopy is held up by marble pillars. Around them are large kneeling figures of their sons. Five of the sons have their heads bowed. Edward, who was the only son to survive his parents, does not have his head bowed.
