Ursula Pole, Baroness Stafford facts for kids

Ursula Pole, Baroness Stafford (born around 1504 – died 12 August 1570) was an important English noblewoman. She was the wife of Henry Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford. Ursula was also a wealthy heiress and the only daughter of Margaret Pole, 8th Countess of Salisbury. Her mother was the last living member of the Plantagenet royal family. Sadly, her mother was executed for treason in 1541 by order of King Henry VIII.

Ursula's Family Background

Ursula Pole was born in England around 1504. She was the only daughter of Sir Richard Pole and Margaret Pole. Her mother, Margaret, was a very important person. She was the 8th Countess of Salisbury in her own right. This meant she inherited the title herself. Margaret was also the daughter of George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence. This made her the last surviving member of the powerful Plantagenet royal family.

Ursula's father, Sir Richard Pole, passed away in 1505 when she was just a baby. The Pole family's main home was Warblington Castle in Hampshire. Ursula's mother, Margaret, became a godmother to Princess Mary. She also worked as the Princess's Royal Governess, looking after her education and upbringing.

Ursula had four older brothers. They were Henry Pole, 1st Baron Montagu, Reginald Pole, Sir Geoffrey Pole, and Sir Arthur Pole. Her oldest brother, Henry, was executed for treason in 1539. Two years later, her mother was also executed. After this, their family titles and lands were taken by the King. Her brother Geoffrey was suspected of treason and had to leave England.

Ursula's Marriage and Children

On 16 February 1518 or 1519, Lady Ursula married Henry Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford. He was born on 18 September 1501. Ursula was about 15 years old, and Henry was almost 18. Henry was the only son of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham. His marriage to Ursula was arranged by his father, with help from Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.

Ursula brought a dowry of 3,000 marks to the marriage. A dowry was money or property a bride's family gave to her husband. Her mother also gave them land in Somerset and Devon. In return, Henry's father set aside land worth £500 for Ursula. This land was called her "jointure." It was meant to support her if her husband died.

After they married, Ursula and Henry lived in the home of Henry's father, the Duke of Buckingham. In November 1520, Ursula had her first child. She would go on to have many children, seven sons and seven daughters in total.

In 1521, a sad event happened. Ursula's father-in-law, the Duke of Buckingham, was executed for treason. His titles and lands were taken by the King. Years later, in 1547, Ursula's husband Henry was made the 1st Baron Stafford by King Edward VI. From then on, Ursula was known as Baroness Stafford.

Henry and Ursula had about fourteen children. The names of twelve of them are known:

• Henry Stafford (born November 1520 – died as a baby)
• Dorothy Stafford (1 October 1526 – 22 September 1604). She married Sir William Stafford and had six children. Dorothy became a very important person at the court of Queen Elizabeth I. She served as the Queen's Mistress of the Robes.
• Henry Stafford, 2nd Baron Stafford (died 1565). He married Elizabeth Davy.
• Thomas Stafford (around 1533 – 28 May 1557). He was executed for High Treason.
• Edward Stafford, 3rd Baron Stafford (17 January 1535 – 18 October 1603). He married Maria Stanley and had children.
• Richard Stafford. He married Mary Corbet and had children, including Roger Stafford, 6th Baron Stafford.
• Walter Stafford (around 1539 – after 1571)
• William Stafford
• Elizabeth Stafford. She married Sir William Neville.
• Anne Stafford. She married Sir Henry Williams.
• Susan Stafford
• Jane Stafford

Ursula seemed to have a good relationship with her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Stafford, Duchess of Norfolk. When the Duchess died in 1558, she left Ursula all her clothes and jewelry. She lovingly called Ursula her "sister Stafford."

Ursula's Later Life and Death

Ursula Pole died on 12 August 1570. She was about 66 years old. At the time of her death, her oldest daughter, Dorothy, was one of the most influential ladies at Queen Elizabeth I's court. Ursula's husband, Henry, had passed away in 1563. Their oldest surviving son, also named Henry, became the 2nd Baron Stafford. However, he died just two years later.