Mary FitzRoy, Duchess of Richmond and Somerset facts for kids

Sketch by Hans Holbein the Younger

Mary FitzRoy, Duchess of Richmond and Somerset (born Mary Howard) lived from about 1519 to 1557. She was married to Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset, who was the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII of England. This made her a daughter-in-law to the King.

Early Life and Family Connections

Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, Mary's father

Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk and Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, Mary's paternal and maternal grandparents

Mary Howard was born around 1519. She was the second of three children born to Thomas Howard and his second wife, Elizabeth Stafford.

At the time Mary was born, her father was one of the most powerful noblemen in England. Her grandfathers, Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk and Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, were also very important figures. After her maternal grandfather, Edward Stafford, faced serious accusations in 1521, Mary's paternal grandfather became one of only two dukes in the country.

When her paternal grandfather died in 1524, Mary's father became the new Duke of Norfolk. In 1525, King Henry VIII made his six-year-old son, Henry FitzRoy, a duke. This was a very important title.

Later, the idea came up for FitzRoy to marry Mary. This idea likely came from the King or Anne Boleyn, who was Mary's first cousin.

Marriage to Henry FitzRoy

Henry FitzRoy, Duke of Richmond

In November 1533, Mary and Henry FitzRoy were married. Mary was about thirteen or fourteen years old, and FitzRoy was fourteen. This marriage was a big success for the Boleyn family. Mary was a supporter of new religious ideas and had been part of Queen Anne's household.

The marriage was also very good for Mary. At that time, King Henry VIII had no legitimate son to inherit the throne. This meant that Henry FitzRoy was seen as a possible future king.

However, their marriage did not last long. Henry FitzRoy became ill with a disease called consumption and died on July 23, 1536. He was only seventeen years old.

Life After FitzRoy's Death

Because their marriage was not considered fully complete, Mary was not allowed to keep many of the lands that a widow would normally receive. The King decided it was not a true marriage.

Mary stayed at court and became close friends with FitzRoy's cousin, Margaret Douglas. They both contributed to the Devonshire Manuscript, which was a collection of poems. Mary is thought to have owned this manuscript. She even copied one of her brother's poems into it.

In 1539, Mary and Margaret Douglas were chosen to meet Anne of Cleves in Calais. Anne of Cleves was set to become King Henry VIII's fourth wife.

Family Challenges and Later Life

In 1542, King Henry VIII's fifth wife, Catherine Howard, faced serious accusations. Catherine was Mary's cousin. Because of this, Mary and her whole family were arrested and briefly held in the Tower of London.

Mary's father suggested she marry Thomas Seymour, who was the brother of King Henry VIII's third wife, Jane Seymour. The King approved this idea. However, Mary's brother, Henry, Earl of Surrey, strongly disagreed. Mary herself also objected to the marriage. She said she would rather harm herself than agree to it.

Mary and her brother had a falling out. Mary later gave information against her brother, which contributed to his trial and execution in January 1547. Mary supported the Reformation, a religious movement. She hired John Foxe to teach her brother's children.

Mary never remarried. Her presence at court became less frequent after King Henry VIII died in January 1547. She passed away in December 1557, during the reign of her sister-in-law, Queen Mary I.

Images for kids

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  Tomb of Henry FitzRoy, Duke of Richmond and Mary Howard at St Michael the Archangel's Church, Framlingham, Suffolk

Fictional Stories About Mary FitzRoy

Mary FitzRoy has not yet been shown in any movies or TV shows. However, she was mentioned in the 2021 miniseries Anne Boleyn. In one scene, Anne and her uncle discuss Mary's marriage to Henry FitzRoy.

Mary has appeared in many historical fiction books:

• The Secrets of the Tudor Court by Darcey Bonnette features Mary as the main character.
• The Sixth Wife shows her as a rival to Catherine Parr, who was one of King Henry VIII's wives. In this book, Mary's brother tries to get her to become the King's "seventh wife," even though Mary protests.
• Queen's Gambit also features Mary as one of Catherine Parr's rivals.
• Brazen by Katherine Longshore tells Mary's story from her point of view.