Elizabeth Raleigh
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth, Lady Raleigh (16 April 1565 – c. 1647), née Throckmorton, was Sir Walter Raleigh
's wife, and a Lady of the Privy Chamber to Queen Elizabeth I of England
. Their secret marriage precipitated a long period of royal disfavour for Raleigh.
and Anne Carew. She and her brother Arthur were courtiers to Elizabeth I
, and Bess is said to have been intelligent, forthright, passionate and courageous. In due course she and Raleigh, at least twelve years her senior, fell in love.
In her book, The Life of Elizabeth I (1998), the British author and historian, Alison Weir states Throckmorton's and Raleigh's first child was conceived by July of 1591. She states the couple was married "in great secrecy" in the autumn of 1591, and the child was born in March of 1592. The child, a son, is believed to have been named Damerie, after Sir Walter's claimed ancestors, the D'Amerie's. It is also believed Damerie died of the plague during infancy.
Weir states Queen Elizabeth I first became aware in May of 1592 of Raleigh's offense of seducing Bess, a lady-in-waiting and therefore ward of the Queen, as well as the couple's offense of marrying without royal permission. She then summoned Raleigh back from his expedition in Panama and imprisoned both him and Bess in the Tower of London in June of 1592. Sir Walter was released from the Tower in August of 1592. Bess was released in December of 1592, at which time she joined her husband at Sherborne Castle, his Devon estate. Elizabeth expected the couple to sue for pardon, but they refused and Raleigh remained out of favor for five years.
The couple remained devoted to each other, although, according to Weir, Bess proved to be a domineering wife. Their second son, Walter was born in 1593. They named their third son Carew (which was both Bess's mother's maiden name and the name of one of Walter's brothers); however, his birthdate is unclear. During Raleigh's absences and imprisonments, Bess capably managed the family business. After Raleigh's execution in 1618, she worked to re-establish his reputation.
It is said that Bess had her husband's head embalmed and carried it around with her for the rest of her life. Carew inherited the relic and when he died it was buried with him.
Through both her parents, Elizabeth "Bess" Throckmorton had connections to Henry VIII
. Her father, Nicholas Throckmorton, was the cousin of Henry's sixth wife, Queen Catherine Parr
. Anne Carew, Elizabeth' mother, was the daughter of Nicholas Carew
and Elizabeth Carew
née Bryan. Nicholas had been a close friend of Henry's, from childhood until his execution in 1539. Alison Weir alleges that Elizabeth Carew
had earlier been the mistress of Henry VIII, and that he had even given her jewels that should technically have belonged to the queen when she gave birth to her son. However, there are no contemporary references to a possibility of any of Elizabeth's children being fathered by Henry.
's novel Lady in Waiting (1956). Sutcliff usually refers to her as "Bess".
Elizabeth Throckmorton was a featured character in the film Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), and was played by Abbie Cornish
. The movie has Raleigh and her marrying prior to the Spanish Armada (1588), when in fact they married in 1591.
In the film The Virgin Queen
(1955) Elizabeth Throckmorton (referred to as Beth Throgmorton in the film) is portrayed by Joan Collins
. Bette Davis
portrays Queen Elizabeth.
In the episode "Four Great Women and a Manicure
" of The Simpsons
, Marge plays her.
She appears briefly in A Dead Man In Deptford
, Anthony Burgess
's speculative fictional account of the life of playwright Christopher Marlowe
.
Walter Raleigh
Sir Walter Raleigh was an English aristocrat, writer, poet, soldier, courtier, spy, and explorer. He is also well known for popularising tobacco in England....
's wife, and a Lady of the Privy Chamber to Queen Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
. Their secret marriage precipitated a long period of royal disfavour for Raleigh.
Biography
Elizabeth, known also as "Bess", was the daughter of the diplomat Sir Nicholas ThrockmortonNicholas Throckmorton
Sir Nicholas Throckmorton was an English diplomat and politician, who was an ambassador to France and played a key role in the relationship between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots.-Early years:...
and Anne Carew. She and her brother Arthur were courtiers to Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
, and Bess is said to have been intelligent, forthright, passionate and courageous. In due course she and Raleigh, at least twelve years her senior, fell in love.
In her book, The Life of Elizabeth I (1998), the British author and historian, Alison Weir states Throckmorton's and Raleigh's first child was conceived by July of 1591. She states the couple was married "in great secrecy" in the autumn of 1591, and the child was born in March of 1592. The child, a son, is believed to have been named Damerie, after Sir Walter's claimed ancestors, the D'Amerie's. It is also believed Damerie died of the plague during infancy.
Weir states Queen Elizabeth I first became aware in May of 1592 of Raleigh's offense of seducing Bess, a lady-in-waiting and therefore ward of the Queen, as well as the couple's offense of marrying without royal permission. She then summoned Raleigh back from his expedition in Panama and imprisoned both him and Bess in the Tower of London in June of 1592. Sir Walter was released from the Tower in August of 1592. Bess was released in December of 1592, at which time she joined her husband at Sherborne Castle, his Devon estate. Elizabeth expected the couple to sue for pardon, but they refused and Raleigh remained out of favor for five years.
The couple remained devoted to each other, although, according to Weir, Bess proved to be a domineering wife. Their second son, Walter was born in 1593. They named their third son Carew (which was both Bess's mother's maiden name and the name of one of Walter's brothers); however, his birthdate is unclear. During Raleigh's absences and imprisonments, Bess capably managed the family business. After Raleigh's execution in 1618, she worked to re-establish his reputation.
It is said that Bess had her husband's head embalmed and carried it around with her for the rest of her life. Carew inherited the relic and when he died it was buried with him.
Through both her parents, Elizabeth "Bess" Throckmorton had connections to Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
. Her father, Nicholas Throckmorton, was the cousin of Henry's sixth wife, Queen Catherine Parr
Catherine Parr
Catherine Parr ; 1512 – 5 September 1548) was Queen consort of England and Ireland and the last of the six wives of King Henry VIII of England. She married Henry VIII on 12 July 1543. She was the fourth commoner Henry had taken as his consort, and outlived him...
. Anne Carew, Elizabeth' mother, was the daughter of Nicholas Carew
Nicholas Carew (courtier)
Sir Nicholas Carew KG was an English courtier and statesman during the reign of Henry VIII. He was executed for his alleged part in the Exeter Conspiracy.-Early career:...
and Elizabeth Carew
Elizabeth Carew
Elizabeth, Lady Carew , born around 1500, was an English courtier and reputed mistress of King Henry VIII.-Relatives:Elizabeth was the daughter of Sir Thomas Bryan and his wife, Margaret, daughter of Sir Humphrey Bourchier...
née Bryan. Nicholas had been a close friend of Henry's, from childhood until his execution in 1539. Alison Weir alleges that Elizabeth Carew
Elizabeth Carew
Elizabeth, Lady Carew , born around 1500, was an English courtier and reputed mistress of King Henry VIII.-Relatives:Elizabeth was the daughter of Sir Thomas Bryan and his wife, Margaret, daughter of Sir Humphrey Bourchier...
had earlier been the mistress of Henry VIII, and that he had even given her jewels that should technically have belonged to the queen when she gave birth to her son. However, there are no contemporary references to a possibility of any of Elizabeth's children being fathered by Henry.
Fictional Depiction
Elizabeth Throckmorton is the subject of Rosemary SutcliffRosemary Sutcliff
Rosemary Sutcliff CBE was a British novelist, and writer for children, best known as a writer of historical fiction and children's literature. Although she was primarily a children's author, the quality and depth of her writing also appeals to adults; Sutcliff herself once commented that she wrote...
's novel Lady in Waiting (1956). Sutcliff usually refers to her as "Bess".
Elizabeth Throckmorton was a featured character in the film Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), and was played by Abbie Cornish
Abbie Cornish
Abbie Cornish is an Australian actress. She is well known in Australia for a number of film and television roles, particularly her award-winning lead performance in 2004's Somersault, and internationally for her role as Fanny Brawne in Bright Star and her appearance as Sweet Pea in Sucker Punch.-...
. The movie has Raleigh and her marrying prior to the Spanish Armada (1588), when in fact they married in 1591.
In the film The Virgin Queen
The Virgin Queen (film)
The Virgin Queen is a 1955 historical drama film starring Bette Davis, Richard Todd, Joan Collins, Herbert Marshall and Dan O'Herlihy. It focuses on the relationship between Elizabeth I of England and Sir Walter Raleigh....
(1955) Elizabeth Throckmorton (referred to as Beth Throgmorton in the film) is portrayed by Joan Collins
Joan Collins
Joan Henrietta Collins, OBE , is an English actress, author, and columnist. Born in Paddington and raised in Maida Vale, Collins grew up during the Second World War. At the age of nine, she made her stage debut in A Doll's House and after attending school, she was classically trained as an actress...
. Bette Davis
Bette Davis
Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis was an American actress of film, television and theater. Noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic characters, she was highly regarded for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional...
portrays Queen Elizabeth.
In the episode "Four Great Women and a Manicure
Four Great Women and a Manicure
"Four Great Women and a Manicure" is the twentieth episode of the twentieth season of The Simpsons. It was broadcast on the Fox network in the United States on May 10, 2009. It is the first Simpsons episode in history to have four acts instead of the usual three...
" of The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
, Marge plays her.
She appears briefly in A Dead Man In Deptford
A Dead Man in Deptford
A Dead Man in Deptford was written late in Anthony Burgess's life, and is the last of his novels to be published during his lifetime.It depicts the life and character of Christopher Marlowe, one of the greatest playwrights of the Elizabethan era....
, Anthony Burgess
Anthony Burgess
John Burgess Wilson – who published under the pen name Anthony Burgess – was an English author, poet, playwright, composer, linguist, translator and critic. The dystopian satire A Clockwork Orange is Burgess's most famous novel, though he dismissed it as one of his lesser works...
's speculative fictional account of the life of playwright Christopher Marlowe
Christopher Marlowe
Christopher Marlowe was an English dramatist, poet and translator of the Elizabethan era. As the foremost Elizabethan tragedian, next to William Shakespeare, he is known for his blank verse, his overreaching protagonists, and his mysterious death.A warrant was issued for Marlowe's arrest on 18 May...
.