Elizabeth Somerset, Countess of Worcester (wife of the 2nd Earl) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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| Countess of Worcester | |
| Born | Elizabeth Browne Betchworth, Surrey, England |
| Died | 1565 |
| Spouse(s) | Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester |
| Issue | |
| Occupation | Lady-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn |
Elizabeth Somerset, Countess of Worcester (née Browne; died 1565) was a lady-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn and the main informant against her. She may have been a mistress of King Henry VIII.
Early life
Elizabeth was the daughter of Sir Anthony Browne, a trusted courtier at the court of Henry VIII, and his wife, Lucy, a daughter of John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu and Isobel Ingaldesthorpe. She was also the half sister of Sir William Fitzwilliam, 1st Earl of Southampton, treasurer of the household and a man who later became very active in the Boleyn inquiries led by her accusations against Queen Anne. In her mother's will, dated 1531, Elizabeth was left a pair of "bedys of gold with tenne gawdies."
About 1508, Elizabeth's sister, Anne Browne, married Sir Charles Brandon, later Duke of Suffolk. By that union, Elizabeth was aunt to Lady Anne Brandon, and her younger sister, Lady Mary Brandon.
She was the second wife of Henry Somerset, 2nd earl of Worcester, the son of Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester, and Elizabeth Somerset, Baroness Herbert. Henry's first wife, Lady Margaret, had died without issue. Elizabeth married Henry before 1527 and was officially deemed the Countess of Worcester on 15 April 1526.
Connection to the Anne Boleyn investigation
Elizabeth served as one of Anne Boleyn's ladies in her privy chamber and was close to her. After Anne's coronation, a large feast was held. To the queen's right stood the countess of Oxford and to her left, Elizabeth Somerset. As her lady-in-waiting, Elizabeth's "duties included on several occasions during the dinner holding a fine cloth before the queen’s face when she wanted to spit." There is documentation that Elizabeth secretly borrowed £100 from Anne, suggesting the two were close. She had not repaid that debt by the time Anne was imprisoned in the Tower. There is also record of a payment made on 4 February 1530 by the king's personal purse to a midwife for the countess of Worcester, most likely Anne's doing. This closeness lent credibility to her accusations against the queen.
In 1536, she testified against Anne Boleyn. Her accusations are described in Lancelot de Carle's poem A letter containing the criminal charges laid against Queen Anne Boleyn of England. This formed the basis of charges leading to Anne's demise. Elizabeth Somerset was identified as the privy counsellor's sister referenced in the poem after John Hussee, agent of the Lord Deputy of Calais and factotum of Lord Lisle declared "as to the queen’s accusers, my lady of Worcester is said to be the principal." He acknowledged there were a few other accusers—"Nan Cobham, with one maid more"—but referred to Elizabeth as "the first ground" when it came to raising charges against Anne.
Elizabeth was expecting another child in the spring of 1536 during the events of Anne's investigation. Queen Anne became concerned about her former lady-in-waiting's difficulties during pregnancy even as she remained locked up in the Tower. She "much lamented my lady of Worcester… because that her child did not stir in her body." Elizabeth gave birth to a daughter that year and named her Anne, perhaps in honor of Anne Boleyn who continued to languish in prison.
Personal life
Elizabeth died in 1565, between 20 April when her will was dated and 23 October when her will was probated. She is buried in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales. Elizabeth and Henry left behind four sons and four daughters on record who grew to adulthood, although it is rumored they had two more children who survived past infancy, bringing the total to ten:
- Lady Anne Somerset, married Thomas Percy, 7th Earl of Northumberland (1536 - 1591/1596)
- William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester (1527 - 21 February 1589)
- Lady Lucy Somerset, married John Neville, 4th Baron Latimer (died 23 February 1583)
- Lady Eleanor Somerset, married 1) Sir Roger Vaughan and 2) Henry Johns (died 1584)
- Thomas Somerset (died 1586)
- Charles Somerset
- Francis Somerset (died 10 September 1547, in battle)
- Lady Joan or "Jane" Somerset, married Sir Edward Mansel (1535-16 October 1597)
- Mary Somerset (died approximately 1578)
