Mary Fiennes (lady-in-waiting) facts for kids

Mary Fiennes (1495–1531) was an English lady who worked at the royal court. She was the wife of Henry Norris. Henry Norris was a close friend of King Henry VIII of England. He was later accused of a serious crime against the king and was executed. Mary spent six years living in France. She served as a Maid of Honour (a lady who helps the queen) to two French queens: Queen Mary Tudor and Queen Claude.

Mary's Early Life

Mary Fiennes was born in 1495 at Herstmonceux Castle in Sussex, England. She was the only daughter of Thomas Fiennes, 8th Baron Dacre and Anne Bourchier. Both her parents were related to King Edward III of England. This meant Mary had royal ancestors.

Mary had two younger brothers, named Thomas and John. Her mother, Anne Bourchier, was the half-sister of Elizabeth Howard. This made Mary a cousin to two future queens of Henry VIII: Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Mary was also a cousin to Catherine Parr, another of Henry VIII's queens.

Serving in France

In 1514, Mary became a Maid of Honour. She joined Princess Mary Tudor when Mary went to France to marry King Louis XII of France. After King Louis XII died, Mary Fiennes continued to serve the next queen, Queen Claude. Queen Claude was the wife of the new king, Francis I of France.

While in France, Mary worked alongside her cousins, Mary Boleyn and Anne Boleyn. Mary Boleyn was known to have been a mistress of King Henry VIII. Anne Boleyn later became Henry VIII's second wife.

Mary's Marriage and Family

Mary returned to England in 1520. That same year, she married Henry Norris. They had met earlier in France at a famous meeting called the Field of the Cloth of Gold. Henry Norris was a courtier from Yattendon in Berkshire.

Henry Norris was a trusted friend and servant to King Henry VIII of England. He was a Gentleman of the Bedchamber, which was a very important role. He was later made Groom of the Stool, showing how much the King trusted him. Some historians believe Henry Norris was one of King Henry VIII's closest friends. He had a lot of influence in the King's private life.

Henry and Mary had three children together:

• Edward Norris (who died in 1529)
• Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys (born around 1525, died in 1601). He married Margaret Williams and had children.
• Mary Norris. She married twice and had children from both marriages. Her first husband was Sir George Carew. Her second husband was Sir Arthur Champernowne.

Mary's Death

Mary Fiennes died in 1531. This was one year after her mother passed away. Five years later, her husband, Henry Norris, was accused of a serious crime against the king. He was executed in 1536. Mary's cousin, Queen Anne Boleyn, was also executed shortly after.

Their two surviving children were still young. They were cared for by Henry Norris's brother, Sir John Norris.