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Mary Neville
Baroness Dacre
LadyDacre.jpg
Mary Neville by Hans Eworth, 1555-1558, with an inset portrait of her first husband Thomas Fiennes dated a year before his death.
Born 1524
Died 1576 (aged 51–52)
Noble family Neville (by birth)
Fiennes (by marriage)
Spouse(s)
Issue Thomas Fiennes
Gregory Fiennes, 10th Baron Dacre
Margaret Fiennes, 11th Baroness Dacre
Father George Neville, 5th Baron Bergavenny
Mother Lady Mary Stafford
Mary Nevill and Gregory Fiennes Baron Dacre
Mary Nevill and her son Gregory Fiennes by Hans Eworth, 1559

Mary Fiennes, Baroness Dacre (born 1524, died 1576) was an important English noblewoman. She was the daughter of George Neville, 5th Baron Bergavenny. Her mother was Lady Mary Stafford. Mary Neville became Baroness Dacre through her first marriage.

Mary Neville's Life Story

First Marriage and Challenges

In 1536, Mary married Thomas Fiennes, 9th Baron Dacre (around 1515-1541). Sadly, Thomas was accused of a crime and was executed in 1541. Because of this, the family lost their lands and titles. This was a very difficult time for Mary and her children.

Mary worked hard to get her family's properties and titles back. When Elizabeth I became queen in 1558, she helped Mary. Queen Elizabeth restored the title of Baron Dacre to Mary's second son, Gregory. Mary's oldest son, Thomas, had died from the plague at age 15.

Mary's Children

With her first husband, Thomas Fiennes, Mary had three children:

Later Marriages

After her first husband died, Lady Dacre married two more times. Her second husband was John Wotton. He was from North Tuddenham, Norfolk. After John Wotton passed away, she married Francis Thursby. He was from Congham in Norfolk. Mary had six more children with Francis Thursby.

Famous Portraits of Mary Neville

Lady Dacre was painted in two important portraits by Hans Eworth. He was a well-known artist of that time.

The 1559 Portrait

One portrait from 1559 shows Mary with her son Gregory. For many years, people thought this painting was of a different famous woman, Frances Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk. However, experts later discovered it was actually Mary Neville Fiennes, Lady Dacre.

The Wrest Park Portrait

Wrest Park Portrait – 1545-1549 – Mary Neville Fiennes Lady Dacre
The Wrest Park Portrait – Recently identified as Mary Neville Fiennes, Lady Dacre

Another painting, called the Wrest Park Portrait, was also thought to be someone else. It was believed to be Lady Jane Grey. But a historian, Dr. John Stephan Edwards, found out it was Mary Neville Fiennes, Lady Dacre. He believes this portrait was painted between 1545 and 1549. This was soon after her first husband died.

Mary Neville Fiennes, Lady Dacre, is also shown in the Palace of Westminster. This is where the Houses of Parliament are located. Her image is among other important Tudor-era figures.

Connections to Royal History

Anne of Cleves

Both Lord and Lady Dacre were part of the group that welcomed Anne of Cleves to England. Anne of Cleves was one of King Henry VIII's wives.

Mary I's Funeral

In 1558, Mary Neville Fiennes, Lady Dacre, helped at the funeral of Queen Mary I. This shows her important role in the royal court.

A Special Book Dedication

Lady Frances Brandon
Mary Neville Fiennes, Lady Dacre as the Marchioness of Dorset in the Houses of Parliament

In 1578, Mary's brother-in-law, Henry Wotton, wrote a book. It was a translation of Italian romance stories. He dedicated this book to Lady Dacre. This means he wrote a special message at the beginning of the book, saying it was for her.

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