Lady Elizabeth Ralegh

Anna Beer (University of Oxford)
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Bess Throckmorton was connected with three major families, the Carews (her mother’s family), Greys (her step-father’s family), and Throckmortons. Executions dominated the history of each family: Nicholas Carew in 1539; Lady Jane Grey in 1554; and Francis Throckmorton (a Catholic plotter) in 1584.

Despite this background, Bess became a Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber in 1584, and thus close to Queen Elizabeth I. During 1591, she became clandestinely involved with Sir Walter Ralegh, who had risen to prominence during the 1580s. Pregnant by Ralegh in the summer of 1591, she was secretly married to him in November 1591. She served at Court almost until the baby was due, and returned to her Court duties within weeks of the discreetly handled birth. The baby was christened Damerei, with

1051 words

Citation: Beer, Anna. "Lady Elizabeth Ralegh". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 21 April 2009 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=12499, accessed 19 March 2024.]

12499 Lady Elizabeth Ralegh 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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