On This Day in Elizabethan History: The Death of Blanche Parry

A photo of a now-lost portrait of Blanche Parry. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

On this day in Elizabethan history in 1590, Blanche Parry died. Along with Katherine Champernowne-Ashley, Blanche, or Mistress Parry, was one of Queen Elizabeth I's most loyal servants and a life-long friend. Blanche was both Keeper of Her Majesty's Jewels and Chief Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber, positions that required both discretion and meticulous organization.

A portrait in the collection of Lord Hastings, purported to be of Katherine Champernowne-Ashley, Blanche's colleague and friend. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

Blanche was born in either 1507 or 1508 to a Welsh father, Harry Myles, and an English mother, Alice Milbourne. Blanche anglicized her given Welsh surname before traveling with her aunt, Lady Troy, to serve in the English court of Henry VIII. Lady Troy was entrusted to serve as Lady Mistress to two of Henry VIII's children, Elizabeth and Edward. Aged about 25, Blanche worked alongside her aunt in the royal nursery, and would later write in her own epitaph that she was the future Queen Elizabeth I's cradle-rocker. When the Princess Mary was in residence, Lady Troy supervised her as well (Richardson). Few personalities from the Tudor period could claim the distinction of having personally interacted with the last three Tudor monarchs.

Henry VIII and his three children (and his fool, Will Sommers!) by an unknown artist. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

Blanche remained in Princess Elizabeth's household, and along with Katherine Champernowne-Ashley, shared in the many perils of Elizabeth Tudor's young and adolescent life. Blanche may have accompanied Elizabeth to the Tower of London when she was imprisoned by her sister, Mary Tudor, on suspicion of giving support to the Wyatt Rebellion, though we do not know for sure. We do know that she was with Elizabeth after she was released from prison and confined to Woodstock, and then Hatfield. She was also with Elizabeth when she received the news that Mary had died and had declared her her successor.

The Old Palace at Hatfield. Picture acquired through That Boleyn Girl's Flickr.

When, against seemingly insurmountable odds, Elizabeth succeeded to the throne of England, she did not forget those who had not forsaken her. Blanche was one of the first people to receive an appointment in Elizabeth I's household; as Keeper of Her Majesty's Jewels, Blanche maintained the Queen's priceless baubles, as well as her other most personal belongings, like books, letters and papers, linens and furs.

When Katherine Ashley died in 1565, Blanche took over her duties as Chief Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber. As the woman in charge of Queen Elizabeth I's inner-sanctum, Blanche was sought out by those who wished to petition the queen or seek her advice or favor, and even to help push parliamentary bills. As one who effectively controlled access to the Queen, Blanche Parry was acknowledged at court as a powerful woman to have on your side (Borman, 346). Blanche was trusted by Queen Elizabeth to use her discretion in determining what letters, gifts of money, and requests were worthy of being brought forth to her. Another aspect of her duties that demonstrates the enormous trust that Queen Elizabeth had in Blanche was that she allowed her to write some minor correspondences on her behalf, when necessary (Richardson, 75-78). 

Queen Elizabeth I receives ambassadors, possibly by female court painter Levina Teerlinc. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

According Parry's definitive biographer, R.E. Richardson, Parry also cared for the Queen's "musk cat"-most likely a ferret. Anyone familiar with ferrets will agree that this is an apt description, as weasels are very similar in their behavior to felines, and they do indeed smell!  In addition to caring for the Queen's menagerie, which also included a monkey, dogs, and guinea pigs, both Queen Elizabeth and Blanche enjoyed the company of horses, and they often rode and hunted together.

Blanche, who remained unmarried like her mistress, became independently wealthy through the rewards she earned for her tireless service to the Queen. Elizabeth I granted her wardships, as well as estates in Herefordshire, Yorkshire, and Wales. As head of her own estates, Blanche also assisted in a legal battle in 1584 concerning Llangorse Lake, something most 16th century women, even unmarried ones, did not do (Richardson).

Long before her death, between 1576-77, Blanche wrote her first will, which was supervised by her cousin, the incomparable William Cecil, Lord Burghley. She also commissioned her own monument in Bacton Church, Herefordshire; Blanche and her sisters had worshiped at St. Faith's, Bacton as children (Richardson). This monument is important for two reasons: one, that it is symbol of a woman who knew her own self worth, and in the absence of her own family, arranged for her own memorial; and two, because it includes the first depiction of Queen Elizabeth I as the semi-mythical Gloriana. The tomb is glorious, uniting both the loyal servant and friend with her appreciative mistress and Queen for eternity. The inscription on the monument includes the phrase, "with maiden Queen a maid did end my life".

Blanche Parry kneeling beside Queen Elizabeth I, in the guise of Gloriana, in her memorial at St.Faith's, Bacton Church in Herefordshire. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

A full view of Blanche Parry's monument in Bacton Church. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons and shared for public use by photographer Derek Voller.

Blanche began to lose her eyesight in age, and though this certainly affected her work performance to some degree, a grateful Queen Elizabeth retained Blanche in her positions.

When Blanche Parry passed on February 12th in 1590 at the age of 82, she had served Elizabeth Tudor for an extraordinary 56 years. She was not to be laid to rest in St. Faith's in Bacton as she had intended. Instead, Queen Elizabeth paid for her funeral expenses in full, laying her to rest in St. Margaret's, Westminster. Her monument in Bacton remains a tourist attraction, as does her donation of a beautiful altar-cloth made from an old court dress, which may have been a gift to her from Queen Elizabeth I. It is of interest that the pattern on the cloth is very similar to the material of the bodice and sleeves worn by Queen Elizabeth I in her Rainbow Portrait (Richardson) though this is not to suggest that they are one and the same.

The altar-cloth, possibly made from a dress of Queen Elizabeth I and donated by Blanche Parry, at St. Faith's, Bacton Church. Picture shared for public use by Derek Voller under Creative Commons licensing.

Blanche Parry knew Queen Elizabeth I longer that most, a total of 56 out of her 70 years! What I would give to have been in her shoes...

A side view of Blanche Parry's tomb in St. Margaret's Church, Westminster. Photo by Terry and R.E. Richardson and shared for public use through R.E. Richardson's site, Mistress Blanche, Queen Elizabeth I’s Confidante.

Sources:

Borman, Tracy. Elizabeth's Women: Friends, Rivals and Foes who Shaped the Virgin Queen. New York: Bantam Books,
     
     2009. Print. 

Richardson, Ruth Elizabeth. Mistress Blanche, Queen Elizabeth I's Confidante. Logaston Press, 2007.

Richardson, Ruth Elizabeth. Blanche Parry & Queen Elizabeth I Calendar. Bacton Parish, 2012. (blancheparry.co.uk)

On This Day in Elizabethan History: The Coronation of Elizabeth I at Westminster Abbey

On this day in Elizabethan history in 1559, Elizabeth Tudor was crowned Queen Elizabeth I of England at Westminster Abbey.

The Western facade of Westminster Abbey. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

 To celebrate one of the most significant days in Queen Elizabeth's life, I thought I would share with you what transpired in the busy weeks between Elizabeth learning at Hatfield that her sister had died, and that glorious ceremony in Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth had to do a lot of preparation before she could enjoy her coronation!

Even though Elizabeth Tudor officially succeeded to the throne on November 17^th, 1558, the preparations for a royal coronation understandably took a considerable amount of time. While a ceremony was being organized for January 15^th, a date that astrologer Master John Dee had determined would bring good luck to the new queen and her reign, Elizabeth made good use of her time. Immediately following her sister’s death, Elizabeth had been flooded with visitors from all corners of the realm and abroad, paying her tribute and hoping to gain positions in her new regime. Elizabeth’s ability to read people and their true intentions, a skill honed in her tumultuous childhood, served her well; She was able to discern who was genuine toward her and who was merely looking to profit. 

The Old Palace at Hatfield. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons, courtesy of Pam Fry. Image public domain.

On November 20^th, The Privy Council and members of the peerage gathered at Hatfield to hear Elizabeth’s first public speech, and to discover whom she would appoint to her government. One of first positions to be filled was Secretary of State; this position was bestowed upon the wise William Cecil, who had given Elizabeth good council in the past few years, when she had been in grave danger. The familiarity these two shared gave them a shorthand, which was to be essential for developing the productive government Elizabeth is now so famous for. She publicly addressed Cecil, saying,

            “I give you this charge that you shall be of my Privy Council and content to take pains for me and my realm. This judgment I have made of you: that you will not be corrupted with any manner of gifts, and that you will be faithful to the state; and that without respect of my private will, you will give me that council which you think best, and if you shall know anything necessary to be declared to me of secrecy, you shall show it to myself only. And assure yourself, I will not fail to keep taciturnity therein.”

            While these expectations were stated first to Cecil, it was understood that Elizabeth expected all of her ministers to adhere to the same code of honor, and, for the most part, they complied. Elizabeth would soon earn the genuine respect and admiration of her council; unlike her father, King Henry VIII, she would suffer no sycophancy.

William Cecil, First Baron Burghly, Lord High Treasurer of England c. 1570. Bodleian Library, Oxford. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.



On that same day, the lawyer Sir Nicholas Bacon was sworn in as Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, and Sir Nicholas Throckmorton was made Chamberlain of the Exchequer. Sir Francis Knollys, related to the queen by his marriage to her cousin, Katherine Carey, was made Vice Chamberlain of the Household, and also a Privy Councilor. And William Parr, the brother of the late Queen Katherine Parr, Elizabeth’s beloved stepmother, was restored as Marquess of Northampton. Parr has suffered during Queen Mary’s reign, but Elizabeth held him in high esteem. While Parr would prove a good subject of the Queen, his personal life would be wrought with controversy.

 

A sketch by Hans Holbein of William Parr, Marquess of Northampton. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.



            Seated on her dais, under the canopy of state, Elizabeth addressed those assembled around her:

            “The law of nature moves me to sorrow for my sister. The burthen that us fallen upon me maketh me amazed; and yet, considering that I am God’s creature, ordained to obey His appointment, I will yield thereto, desiring from the bottom of my heart that I may have assistance of His grace to be the minister of His heavenly will in this office now committed to me. And as I am but one body, so I shall require you all, my lords, to be assistant to me, that I with my ruling, and you all with your service, may make a good account to Almighty God, and leave some comfort to our posterity on Earth. I mean to direct all mine actions by good advice and counsel. My meaning is to require of you all nothing more but faithful hearts, and of my good will you shall have no doubt, using yourselves as good and loving subjects.”

 

            Elizabeth may not have been officially crowned yet, but life had prepared her for this moment, and she was already conducting herself as queen.

            In the days ahead, Elizabeth rewarded those servants who had lovingly cared for her as a child and adolescent, and promoted her maternal relatives. Kat Ashley was made Mistress of Robes, (this would be a daunting job, considering that Elizabeth would own over 3,000 dresses by the time she died!) as well as being given the prestigious post of First Lady of the Bedchamber. This put Mistress Ashley in charge of the Queen's maids of honor, delegating their tasks and cultivating their moral character. Kat’s husband John Ashley was made Master of the Jewel House, and Thomas Parry, Elizabeth’s former treasurer, was knighted and made Comptroller of the Household. Blanche Parry, Elizabeth’s former cradle-rocker, was promoted to Keeper of the Queen’s Books.

Detail from a portrait in the collection of Lord Hastings, purported to be of Katherine Champernowne-Ashley. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

A sketch by Hans Holbein of Sir Thomas Parry, c. 1538-40. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.



            Lettice Knollys, daughter of Francis and Katherine (Carey) Knollys, joined Queen Elizabeth's household. This is the same Lettice who would one day become infamous for her secret marriage to Elizabeth’s beloved, the Earl of Leicester. And Henry Carey, a beloved cousin,  (and brother to Katherine Carey-Knollys) was raised to the peerage as Baron Hunsdon.

Portrait of Henry Carey, First Baron Hunsdon c. 1561-63. By Steven van Herwijck. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.



            Soon thereafter, Elizabeth and her retinue of over 1000 departed from Hatfield to London. Throngs of people lined the roads, cheering for their new queen. After being received into the city, Elizabeth, as was customary, took up residence in the royal apartments at the Tower of London, in preparation for her coronation. Clad all in purple, the color of royalty, Elizabeth stopped frequently during her progress to the Tower to greet both the commoners and well-to-do alike. In fact, many contemporaries were startled at how often she was “…stately stooping to the meanest sort.” 

The coronation procession of Elizabeth I, circa 1559. From a document in the College of Arms. Image public domain.

     Elizabeth was already demonstrating what was to be a lifelong fondness for the “true English”-the common people. The low-born had raised her when her own father had rejected her, preserved her in trying times, and invested in her their hopes and dreams for the future of the kingdom, after they had experienced so much strife; Elizabeth would reward them for their love ever-after. On the annual progresses she would come to enjoy as queen, Elizabeth would frequently stop to interact with the country folk, particularly children. 

            Sir John Hayward wrote of the triumphant Elizabeth:

            “If ever any person had either the gift or the style to win the hearts of the people, it was this queen. All her faculties were in motion, and every motion seemed a well-guided action; her eye was set upon one, her ear listened to another, her judgment ran upon a third, to a fourth she addressed her speech; her spirit seemed to be everywhere. Some she pitied, others she commended, some she thanked, at others she pleasantly and wittily jested, condemning no person, neglecting no office, and distributing her smiles, looks and graces so artfully that thereupon the people again redoubled the testimony of their joys, and afterwards, raising everything to the highest strain filled the ears of all men with the immoderate extolling of their prince.”

The Coronation Portrait of Elizabeth I. The National Portrait Gallery dates the painting c.1600, though it is probably a copy after an earlier painting that has since been lost.Image public domain through Creative Commons licensing, NPG, London.

            At noon on January 15^th, 1559 Elizabeth was crowned in Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth truly believed that God had preserved her through all the dangers of her young life in order to reach this moment. What relief, and what joy she must have felt as Owen Oglethorpe, the Bishop of Carlisle, anointed her as God’s representative on Earth. She understood that hard work lay ahead, but she knew that she was up to the task. After a 44 year reign, Good Queen Bess would be laid to rest in 1603 in the same place where she had started her journey as queen.