Mary Fiennes, Baroness Dacre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Neville
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| Baroness Dacre | |
Mary Neville by Hans Eworth, 1555-1558, with an inset portrait of her first husband Thomas Fiennes dated a year before his death.
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| Born | 1524 |
| Died | 1576 (aged 51–52) |
| Noble family | Neville (by birth) Fiennes (by marriage) |
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| Issue | Thomas Fiennes Gregory Fiennes, 10th Baron Dacre Margaret Fiennes, 11th Baroness Dacre |
| Father | George Neville, 5th Baron Bergavenny |
| Mother | Lady Mary Stafford |
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.
Contents
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:
- Thomas Fiennes (1538–1553)
- Gregory Fiennes, 10th Baron Dacre (1539–1594)
- Margaret Fiennes, 11th Baroness Dacre (1540–1611)
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
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
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.
Images for kids
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Mary Neville by Hans Eworth, 1555-1558
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Mary Nevill and her son Gregory Fiennes by Hans Eworth, 1559
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The Wrest Park Portrait – Recently identified as Mary Neville Fiennes, Lady Dacre
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Mary Neville Fiennes, Lady Dacre as the Marchioness of Dorset in the Houses of Parliament
