Elizabeth Boleyn, Countess of Wiltshire
Elizabeth Boleyn entered the world around 1480 within the wealthy Howard family. Her father was Sir Thomas Howard, who later became the 2nd Duke of Norfolk. Her grandfather held the title of Duke from 1483 under King Richard III. The family faced a crisis when Richard III died at Bosworth in 1485. Elizabeth was about five years old during this shift in power. King Henry VII took the throne after defeating Richard. The Howards managed to survive this political upheaval despite losing their patron. Young Elizabeth then joined the royal court as a girl.
Thomas Boleyn wed Elizabeth sometime before 1500, likely in 1498. He described his wife as pregnant many times over the following years. Only three children survived into adulthood out of all her pregnancies. Two sons named Thomas and Henry died during the sweating sickness plague outbreak in 1506. Mary lived until 1543 while George died in 1536. Anne also met her end in May 1536. Elizabeth served as a lady-in-waiting throughout these decades. She first attended Queen Elizabeth of York. Later she served Catherine of Aragon. Gossip suggested Elizabeth possessed great beauty based on later accounts.
Mary Boleyn became mistress to Henry VIII though exact dates remain unknown. She never held an official title for this role since England lacked such a post. Some historians question whether Henry Carey was actually fathered by the King. Mary married William Carey around 1520. Her romantic involvements strained relations with her parents who developed feelings of dislike toward her. George Boleyn held the title Viscount Rochford from 1504 until his death. Anne Boleyn was born either in 1501 or 1507 before becoming queen consort. The other two boys perished during the 1506 plague. Their deaths left only three surviving offspring to carry the family name forward.
Henry VIII denied claims that he had been Elizabeth's lover. No mention appeared in the dispensation he sought to make his union with Anne lawful. Historians believe rumors began by confusing Elizabeth with another mistress named Elizabeth Blount. Elizabeth Blount received public honors including creation of her son as Duke of Richmond and Somerset in 1525. Recent attempts to rehabilitate the myth failed against historical evidence. The unpopularity of the Boleyn family after 1527 fueled these circulating stories. Observers wondered within ten years if Mary's affair with the King ever truly occurred.
Anne and Mary lived at the French royal court starting in 1519. They served as Ladies-in-waiting to Queen Claude. The French King Francis I referred to Mary as my English mare fifteen years later. He described her as a great whore in his life. Both daughters returned to England after their time abroad. Elizabeth taught Anne various skills including music, singing, dancing, embroidery, poetry, arithmetic, grammar, history, reading, spelling, writing, and some French. Henry VIII fell in love with Anne in 1525 while Elizabeth acted as protective chaperone. She accompanied Anne to York Place following Cardinal Wolsey's fall from power.
Elizabeth retired to the countryside after the execution of her children. She died only two years after losing both Anne and George. Her husband Thomas passed away the following year. Elizabeth rests in the Howard family chapel at St Mary's Church in Lambeth. This church decommissioned in 1972 now serves as the Garden Museum. Tradition claims Anne named her daughter Elizabeth I after her grandmother though Henry's mother remains another possibility. Mary eloped with William Stafford in 1535 leading to banishment from court. Anne refused to receive her sister due to breach of etiquette.
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Common questions
When was Elizabeth Boleyn Countess of Wiltshire born?
Elizabeth Boleyn entered the world around 1480 within the wealthy Howard family. Her father was Sir Thomas Howard who later became the 2nd Duke of Norfolk.
Who were the children of Elizabeth Boleyn Countess of Wiltshire that survived into adulthood?
Only three children survived into adulthood out of all her pregnancies including Mary who lived until 1543 and George who died in 1536. Anne also met her end in May 1536 while two sons named Thomas and Henry died during the sweating sickness plague outbreak in 1506.
Where is Elizabeth Boleyn Countess of Wiltshire buried today?
Elizabeth rests in the Howard family chapel at St Mary's Church in Lambeth. This church decommissioned in 1972 now serves as the Garden Museum.
Did King Henry VIII have a romantic relationship with Elizabeth Boleyn Countess of Wiltshire?
Henry VIII denied claims that he had been Elizabeth's lover and no mention appeared in the dispensation he sought to make his union with Anne lawful. Historians believe rumors began by confusing Elizabeth with another mistress named Elizabeth Blount.
What skills did Elizabeth Boleyn Countess of Wiltshire teach her daughter Anne?
Elizabeth taught Anne various skills including music singing dancing embroidery poetry arithmetic grammar history reading spelling writing and some French. She accompanied Anne to York Place following Cardinal Wolsey's fall from power.