Mary Cholmondeley (heiress) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary, Lady Cholmondeley
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Mary Holford
baptized 20 January 1562, who Holford, Great Budworth, Cheshire, England
|
| Died | 15 August 1625 Vale Royal, Whitegate, Cheshire, England
|
| Resting place | Malpas, Cheshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Known for | Litigant |
| Spouse(s) | Sir Randall Brereton Sir Hugh Cholmondeley |
| Children | 8 children |
| Parent(s) | Christopher Holford Elizabeth Mainwaring |
Mary, Lady Cholmondeley (born Mary Holford; 1562 – 1625) was a very determined English lady. She is famous for fighting a legal battle for 40 years over her father's land. She was married to Sir Hugh Cholmondeley and they had eight children together.
About Mary's Life
Mary Holford was born in late 1562 or early 1563 in Cheshire, England. She was christened on January 20, 1563. Her parents were Christopher Holford and Elizabeth Mainwaring.
Mary first married Sir Randall Brereton, but he passed away soon after. Around 1581, she married Sir Hugh Cholmondeley. They had eight children: Robert, Hatton, Hugh, Thomas, Francis, Mary, Lettice, and Frances. Sir Hugh died in 1601.
Mary Cholmondeley passed away on August 15, 1625, at the age of 63. She died at Vale Royal in Cheshire, England, and was buried the next day in Malpas.
Fighting for Her Family's Land
Mary became well-known because of a long legal fight. This fight was about her father's estate and Holford Manor. Her father, Christopher Holford, died in 1581.
His half-brother, George Holford, believed he should inherit the land. But Mary, who had recently married, disagreed. She challenged his claim in court. This lawsuit between them lasted for 40 years!
Finally, around 1620, they reached an agreement. Mary Cholmondeley received the Holford manor house. George Holford received other land. Mary inherited the manor and even renovated and made the Holford manor house bigger.
Building a New Home at Vale Royal Abbey
In 1615, Mary Cholmondeley bought Vale Royal Abbey and the land around it. This was almost 100 years after the "Dissolution of the Monasteries." (This was when King Henry VIII closed down many religious houses in England).
Mary built a new house on the site and rebuilt the old hall. In 1625, she added a new part to the house. King James I visited Vale Royal for three days. He called Mary Cholmondeley the "bold lady of Cheshire." He gave her this nickname because she turned down his offer to help her sons' careers in politics. Mary lived at Vale Royal from 1616 until she died.
