April 26 - The marriage of Catherine Carey and Francis Knollys

Catherine Carey Knollys: A Tudor Lady's Remarkable Legacy 🌹

Join me as I uncover the fascinating life of Catherine Carey Knollys, a prominent figure in Tudor history whose story is as captivating as it is enduring.

Catherine Carey was born around 1524, the daughter of Mary Boleyn and William Carey. Her lineage has sparked speculation, with some historians suggesting she might have been fathered by King Henry VIII due to her mother's past as the king's mistress.

At the age of 15, Catherine entered court life as a maid-of-honour to Anne of Cleves, where she caught the eye of Francis Knollys, a notable figure at King Henry VIII's court. Their marriage on the 26th of April 1540 marked the beginning of a significant union.

Amidst the political upheavals of the time, Catherine and Francis's Protestant beliefs led them into exile during Queen Mary I's reign. They returned to England with the accession of Elizabeth I, and Francis became a trusted member of the privy council, while Catherine served as Chief Lady of the Bedchamber.

The Knollys household flourished with fourteen children, and Catherine's descendants continue to thrive today. Her daughter, Lettice Knollys, became a prominent figure in Elizabethan court circles, earning the moniker "the she-wolf" due to her complex relationships and alliances.

Catherine's loyalty and service to Queen Elizabeth I endured until her passing in 1569, commemorated by a lavish funeral and a place of honour in Westminster Abbey's St Edmund's Chapel.

Explore the enduring legacy of Catherine Carey Knollys in the Knollys Chapel of St Nicholas' Parish Church, where effigies of Sir Francis and Catherine Knollys stand as a testament to their remarkable lives.

Join me as I celebrate Catherine's story—a testament to the indelible impact of a Tudor lady whose legacy lives on through generations.

#CatherineCareyKnollys #TudorHistory #ElizabethanCourt #Legacy 🌹