Mary Vere facts for kids

Mary Vere (born in 1581, died in 1671) was an English woman known for writing many letters. She lived a long life, seeing many changes in England. Mary was born into an important family and later married a famous soldier.

Early Life and Family

Mary Vere was born Mary Tracy in 1581. Her father was Sir John Tracy, who lived in a place called Toddington, Gloucestershire. Her mother was Anne, whose father was Thomas Throckmorton.

Mary had a brother named Sir Thomas Tracy. He worked for Anne of Denmark, who was the Queen of England at the time. He was an "usher," which meant he helped manage her private rooms.

Marriages and Children

Mary Vere was married twice in her life.

First Marriage

Her first husband was William Hoby. They were married for a short time, and he passed away in 1603. Mary and William had two children together.

Second Marriage

In late 1607, Mary married a brave soldier named Horace Vere. He was a well-known military leader.

Mary and Horace had several children. Their daughters grew up and married into other important families:

• Elizabeth Vere married John Holles, 2nd Earl of Clare.
• Mary Vere married Sir Roger Townshend. After he passed away, she married Mildmay Fane, 2nd Earl of Westmorland.
• Catherine Vere married Oliver St John. Later, she married John Poulett, 2nd Baron Poulett.
• Anne Vere married Sir Thomas Fairfax in 1637. He became a very important general during the English Civil War.
• Dorothy Vere married John Wolstenholme.
• Susanna Vere was born in 1619 but sadly passed away young in 1623.

Beliefs and Later Life

Mary Vere was a Puritan. Puritans were a group of people who wanted to make the Church of England simpler. Mary often wrote "God will provide" in her books.

In 1608, she gave a book to Sir Thomas Bodley's famous library. She asked for it to be marked as a gift from Sir John Tracy's daughter. Some religious books were even written and given to her.

Mary's second husband, Horace Vere, passed away in 1635. After this, Mary lived in a place called Hackney. She had a chaplain, Samuel Rogers, who kept a diary. He liked working for Mary Vere very much.

Mary Vere lived to be 90 years old. When her husband's eldest brother's wife passed away, Mary inherited a home called Kirby Hall, Essex. She died there on Christmas Eve in 1671.