Elizabeth Tilney, Countess of Surrey
Elizabeth Tilney entered the world at Ashwellthorpe Hall before 1445. She was the only child of Sir Frederick Tilney and Elizabeth Cheney. Her father died before 1447, leaving her as a sole heir to his Norfolk estates. By 1449, her mother married Sir John Say of Broxbourne. This union produced three sons and four daughters for Elizabeth's half-siblings. Elizabeth herself inherited manors in Walsall through descent from Roger Hillary. These properties included Fisherwick and Shelfield in Staffordshire. The lineage traced back to Chief Justice of the Common Pleas who died in 1356. Her maternal grandparents were Sir Laurence Cheney and Elizabeth Cockayne. Ida de Grey, Elizabeth Cockayne's mother, descended from Welsh Prince Gruffydd II ap Madog.
Sir Humphrey Bourchier became Elizabeth's husband around 1466. He was the son and heir of John Bourchier, 1st Baron Berners. Their marriage produced one son named John and two daughters. Elizabeth moved to court after marrying. She served as lady-in-waiting to Queen consort Elizabeth Woodville. The queen had carried Elizabeth's train at her coronation in May 1465 at Westminster Abbey. When King Edward IV lost power, Elizabeth accompanied him into sanctuary at Westminster Abbey. She witnessed the birth of future King Edward V during this turbulent period. She remained with the queen until Edward IV regained his throne. Sir Humphrey fought on the Yorkist side at the Battle of Barnet. He died there on the 14th of April 1471 while fighting for the king.
Elizabeth married Thomas Howard on the 30th of April 1472. This union was arranged by the King himself. Thomas Howard later became Earl of Surrey. His father John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk, died at the Battle of Bosworth on the 22nd of August 1485. Thomas Howard also fought at that battle but survived with wounds. He spent several years imprisoned in the Tower of London. The dukedom of Norfolk was forfeited due to his family's allegiance to Richard III. Elizabeth wrote a letter to John Paston from Isle of Sheppey on the 3rd of October 1485. In it she complained about Lord FitzWalter dismissing all her servants. Despite the attainder against her husband, she kept her own inheritance intact. By December 1485 she lived near St Katharine's by the Tower. Her husband remained incarcerated nearby until released and restored to titles.
Thomas Howard and Elizabeth had eleven children together. Their eldest son became Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. One daughter named Elizabeth Howard married Thomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire. That daughter gave birth to Anne Boleyn who became Queen of England. Another son named Lord Edmund Howard fathered Catherine Howard. Catherine Howard became the fifth wife of King Henry VIII. Through these lines Elizabeth became grandmother to two queens consort. Her great-granddaughter was Queen Elizabeth I, daughter of Anne Boleyn. Three of Henry VIII's mistresses were also her granddaughters. These included Elizabeth Carew, Mary Boleyn, and allegedly Mary Howard. During Henry VIII's reign the Howards led by her eldest son became England's premier family. The family tree extended through multiple marriages into the highest ranks of English nobility.
John Skelton wrote The Garlande of Laurell while visiting Sheriff Hutton Castle in 1495. He identified Elizabeth Tilney as the Countess of Surrey within his poem. Three of her daughters Anne, Elizabeth and Muriel appear addressed in the verses. They placed a garland of laurel worked in silks upon Skelton's head. Gold and pearls adorned the garland they presented to the poet. A stained glass window at Holy Trinity Church in Long Melford shows her likeness. The image depicts her facing Elizabeth Talbot, Duchess of Norfolk. Both figures stand beneath the Mowbray family coat of arms. Juliet Dymoke later wrote The Sun in Splendour about Elizabeth's life. This fictional account portrays her known as Bess at Edward IV's court. These artistic works preserve her memory across centuries of English history.
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Common questions
When and where was Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey born?
Elizabeth Tilney entered the world at Ashwellthorpe Hall before 1445. She was the only child of Sir Frederick Tilney and Elizabeth Cheney.
Who were the husbands of Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey?
Sir Humphrey Bourchier became her husband around 1466 and died on the 14th of April 1471 at the Battle of Barnet. She married Thomas Howard on the 30th of April 1472 who later became Earl of Surrey.
How many children did Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey have with Thomas Howard?
Thomas Howard and Elizabeth had eleven children together including three daughters who gave birth to queens. Their eldest son became Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk and another daughter named Elizabeth Howard married Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl of Wiltshire.
What role did Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey play during the reign of King Edward IV?
She served as lady-in-waiting to Queen consort Elizabeth Woodville and accompanied the king into sanctuary at Westminster Abbey when he lost power. The queen had carried Elizabeth's train at her coronation in May 1465 at Westminster Abbey.
Which famous historical figures descended from Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey?
Her great-granddaughter was Queen Elizabeth I through her daughter Anne Boleyn. Three of Henry VIII's mistresses were also her granddaughters including Elizabeth Carew Mary Boleyn and allegedly Mary Howard.