Susan Herbert, Countess of Montgomery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susan Herbert
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| Countess of Montgomery Baroness Herbert of Shurland |
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Effigy of Lady Susan de Vere on her tomb in Westminster Abbey
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| Born | 26 May 1587 |
| Died | 1629 |
| Buried | Westminster Abbey |
| Noble family | De Vere (by birth) Herbert (by marriage) |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Issue | Anna Sophia Dormer, Countess of Carnarvon Sir Charles Herbert Philip Herbert, 5th Earl of Pembroke Hon. James Herbert |
| Father | Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford |
| Mother | Anne Cecil |
Susan Herbert (born Susan de Vere) was an important lady in the English royal court. She was known as the Countess of Montgomery. Born on May 26, 1587, she served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne of Denmark. Susan was the youngest daughter of Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford, who was a famous poet and courtier during Queen Elizabeth I's time.
Susan's Early Life and Family
Susan de Vere was born into a very important family. Her father was Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford. Her mother was Anne Cecil. Anne's father, William Cecil, was a top advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. Susan had two older sisters, Elizabeth and Bridget. She also had a half-brother named Edward.
Sadly, Susan's mother, Anne Cecil, passed away in 1588. Susan and her sisters then lived with their grandfather, William Cecil. He owned a grand house called Burghley House. There, they received an excellent education. In 1591, Susan's father married again to Elizabeth Trentham. They had a son named Henry, who later became the 18th Earl of Oxford.
In 1603, Susan joined the household of Queen Anne of Denmark. This meant she lived and worked at the royal court. She even danced at a special event called The Masque of Indian and China Knights in 1604. A masque was a type of play with music, dancing, and costumes. Her future husband, Philip Herbert, was also part of this event.
Marriage and Court Life
Susan married Philip Herbert on December 27, 1604, at the royal court. This happened shortly after her father passed away. Prince Henry and the Duke of Holstein walked her to the chapel. King James I himself gave the bride away. It was a big event with a banquet. A special masque called Juno and Hymenaeus was performed.
Philip Herbert was a well-known courtier and politician. He served both King James I and King Charles I. A year after their wedding, King James made Philip the Baron Herbert of Shurland and the 1st Earl of Montgomery. Later, after Susan's death, he became the 4th Earl of Pembroke. Philip and his brother William were very important. William Shakespeare even dedicated his famous collection of plays, the First Folio, to them in 1623.
Susan herself was a talented dancer and performer at court. She took part in several masques:
- She played "Flora" in The Vision of the Twelve Goddesses in 1604.
- She was "Malacia" in The Masque of Blackness in 1605.
- She danced as the "Nymph of Severn" in Tethys' Festival in 1610.
Susan's Children
Susan and Philip Herbert had four children:
- Lady Anna Sophia Herbert (died 1695): She married Robert Dormer, the 1st Earl of Carnarvon, and they had children.
- Sir Charles Herbert (around 1619–1635): He married Mary Villiers but did not have children.
- Philip Herbert, 5th Earl of Pembroke (around 1621–1669)
- Hon. James Herbert (around 1623–1677): He married twice and had children from both marriages.
Her Final Years
Susan Herbert passed away in 1629. She died from smallpox. She was buried in Westminster Abbey in London, a very famous and important church.
