Katherine of Aragon’s Ladies at the Beginning
Even though Katherine of Aragon had a large household at the beginning of her reign as queen consort, her ladies-in-waiting only numbered eight.¹ These women would be the most important ladies in the qu
een’s immediate circle. Each of them came from an important family at the Tudor court and each of them were known as beauties in their own right. These women’s charms and talents were shown off frequently while their main role was dancing, singing and conversation – all around entertaining the queen.
Ladies-in-Waiting to Katherine of Aragon
Elizabeth Stafford¹ (c. 1479 – 11 May 1532) was the sister of the Duke of Buckingham and had recently wed Robert Radcliffe, Lord Fitzwalter. Fitzwalter would later become Earl of Sussex around 1529.¹
Elizabeth’s parents were Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and Lady Katherine Woodville – sister of Elizabeth Woodville, queen consort of King Edward IV. After the execution of Henry Stafford for treason, Elizabeth’s mother married Jasper Tudor.
Anne Stafford¹ (c. 1483–1544), who was also the sister of the Duke of Buckingham, who was a widow and had recently wed Sir George Hastings. Who would become the Earl of Huntington in 1529.¹
Elizabeth’s parents were Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and Lady Katherine Woodville – sister of Elizabeth Woodville, queen consort of King Edward IV. After the execution of Henry Stafford for treason, Anne’s mother married Jasper Tudor.
Margaret Scrope¹ (d. 1515) was the wife of Sir Edmund de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk who had been in the Tower of London since 1506 and was executed in 1513.¹
Margaret was the daughter of Sir Richard Scrope and Eleanor Washbourne.²
Elizabeth Scrope¹ (d. June 26, 1537) was the second wife of John de Vere, Earl of Oxford.¹
Elizabeth was the daughter of Sir Richard Scrope and Eleanor Washbourne.²
She married first, William, 2nd viscount Beaumont. He lost his “reason” in 1487 and was placed in the care of John de Vere, 13th earl of Oxford, until his death. In 1508, Elizabeth married Oxford.²
Agnes Tilney¹ (c. 1477 – May 1545) was married to Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey. Surrey would later become 2nd Duke of Norfolk.¹
Agnes was the daughter of Henry Tilney and Eleanor Tailboys. She was also the step-mother of Thomas Howard who would later become 3rd Duke of Norfolk. She was also step-grandmother of Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard.
Anne Hastings¹ (c.1471-c.1512) was the daughter of Sir William Hastings and married to George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury and Lord Steward.¹
Anne was the daughter of William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings, and Katherine Neville – niece of the “Kingmaker”, Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick.²
Mary Say¹ (1485-June 5, 1535+²) was married to Henry Bourchier, Earl of Essex.¹
Mary was the daughter of Sir William Say and Elizabeth Fray. Her sister, Elizabeth Say was the first wife of William Blount, 4th baron Mountjoy and because of this connection, she is often called Mary Blount, William’s sister, by mistake.
She married Henry Bourchier, earl of Essex in 1497. T
In 1501, Mary was in attendance on Katherine of Aragon after her marriage to Prince Arthur. In 1529, she was one of those to give testimony about whether or not Katherine’s marriage had been consummated. In 1506, the Essex household included both Charles Brandon, who was Essex’s master of horse, and Anne Browne, former maid of honor to Elizabeth of York and Brandon’s on again, off again wife.
Mary was one of Katherine of Aragon’s ladies in waiting in 1509.
Anne Hastings, was the sister of Sir George Hastings and married to Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby
Maids of Honor to Katherine of Aragon
Maria de Salinas¹
Maria de Salinas was the daughter of Juan Sancriz de Salinas and Inez Albernos. Juan de Salinas was secretary to Isabella, Princess of Portugal, oldest sister of Catherine of Aragon. After his death, his six children were raised by his brother Martin and his wife, Maria Martinez de Buendia. Maria came to England in about 1503 to replace Maria de Rojas, who may have been her cousin, as one of Catherine of Aragon’s ladies. In 1511, she was godmother to Charles Brandon’s daughter, Mary. By 1514, she was considered to be Queen Catherine’s closest friend.²
Elizabeth Boleyn neé Howard¹
Elizabeth Howard was the daughter of Thomas Howard, 2nd duke of Norfolk and Elizabeth Tylney.
Elizabeth married Sir Thomas Boleyn of Blickling, Norfolk c.1499 and had by him three famous children, Mary, Anne and George.
There is no evidence that Elizabeth served Elizabeth of York and although she has long been believed to have been at court as a lady in waiting to Catherine of Aragon, Alison Weir points out in her biography of Mary Boleyn that there is no specific reference to her being there. She suggests that it is Anne Tempest, wife of Edward Boleyn, who was part of Queen Catherine’s household. Both Lady Boleyns were at the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520.²
Lucy Talbot², daughter of Anne Hastings and George Talbot is believed to have been a Maid of Honor to the queen.²
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Notes:
¹Jones, Philippa; The Other Tudors – Henry VIII’s Mistresses and Bastards; pages 59-60
²Emerson, Kathy Lynn; Index to A Who’s Who of Tudor Women
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