Susan Clarencieux facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Susan Clarencieux |
|
|---|---|
| Spouse(s) | Thomas Tonge |
| Noble family | White |
| Father | Richard White of Hutton, Essex |
| Mother | Maud Tyrrell |
| Born | before 1510 |
| Died | 1564 |
| Occupation | Mistress of the Robes of Mary I of England |
Susan White, also known as Susan Clarencius, was a close friend and trusted lady in waiting to Queen Mary I of England. She was born before 1510 and died around 1564.
Contents
Susan's Family Background
Susan's family, the Whites, came from Hutton in Essex, England. Her parents were Richard White and Maud Tyrrell. Susan was likely the youngest of their four children.
She had two sisters, Mary and Joan. Mary married twice, first to a Mr. Whitehead and then to a Mr. Spenser. Joan married a Mr. Wilcocks. Susan also had a brother named Richard White. He married Margaret Strelley, and they had a son named George White.
Life as Susan Clarencius
Before 1534, Susan married Thomas Tonge. On June 2, 1534, he became the Clarenceux King of Arms. This was an important royal official who dealt with coats of arms and ceremonies.
Sadly, Thomas Tonge died less than two years later, in March 1536. He named Susan as the person to manage his estate. Even though his time as Clarenceux King of Arms was short, Susan became known as Susan Clarencius for the rest of her life.
Serving Princess Mary
In 1525, Susan joined Princess Mary's household as a maid in waiting. At that time, Mary was sent to the Welsh Marches as the possible heir to the throne.
In 1533, Susan lost her job. This happened because Mary's household was closed down. Mary had refused to accept Anne Boleyn as her father's wife. However, in 1536, Mary agreed to her father's wishes. Susan then returned to Mary's service at Mary's own request.
By June 1536, Mary saw Susan as a very trusted servant. Their close friendship continued for all of Mary's life.
Role with Queen Mary
When Mary became queen in 1553, Susan Clarencius received an important job. She was named Mistress of the Robes. This meant she was in charge of the queen's clothes and jewelry.
Susan was seen as the queen's closest friend and confidante. Queen Mary gave her many gifts, including large areas of land in Essex.
In 1554, Queen Mary was looking for a husband. Susan Clarencius strongly supported Philip II of Spain as a good choice.
During a time when Queen Mary believed she was pregnant, Susan kept telling her that she was indeed expecting a child. However, Susan privately shared her doubts about the pregnancy with the French ambassador.
Susan Clarencius lived longer than her royal friend. After Queen Mary died in 1558, Susan moved to Spain. She went with another of Mary's former servants, Jane Dormer. Jane was married to Gomez Suarez de Figueroa, a friend of Philip of Spain.
Susan Clarencius is not mentioned in records after the spring of 1564. She likely died around that time while living with the Feria family in Spain. It seems Susan Clarencius did not have any children who survived past infancy.
