ELIZABETH TAILBOYS

KEY EVENTS

​

]c.1520 - Birth of ELIZABETH TAILBOYS to mother Elizabeth 'Bessie' Blount. She was the recognised mistress of King Henry VIII from 1514-1522 (ie at the time of her conception); however, Henry did not acknowledge her as his child (only her elder brother Henry FitzRoy). Gilbert Tailboys is always acknowledged as her father. 

Jun 1522 - First mention of marriage of parents Elizabeth Blount and Gilbert Tailboys - granted manor of Rokeby, Warwickshire. 

15 Apr 1530 - Death of (?step)father Gilbert Tailboys, 1st Baron Tailboys of Kyme; is buried at Kyme Church, Lincolnshire. 

23 Jul 1536 - Death of (half) brother Henry FitzRoy, at St James' Palace, London, likely of tuberculosis. Is initially buried at Thetford Priory, but later moved to St Michael the Archangel Church, Framlingham in 1540.

c.1539 - Marriage of ELIZABETH TAILBOYS to Thomas Wymbish of Nocton, Lincolnshire; wardship had been granted by Henry VIII to Elizabeth's stepfather Edward Clinton/Fiennes, 1st Earl of Lincoln, with previous betrothal to Dorothy Hussey broken. Couple reside at Nocton Manor, Lincolnshire. 

06 Sep 1539/40 - Death of brother George Tailboys, 2nd Baron Tailboys of Kyme.

c. Jul 1540 - Death of mother Elizabeth Blount whilst in the service of Queen Anne of Cleves - differing theories re: her death have been put forward including consumption or death in childbirth.. 

13 Oct 1541 - ELIZABETH TAILBOYS and husband Thomas Wymbish visited by Henry VIII and his new Queen Katherine Howard at Nocton Manor, as part of their Northern progress, where they stay the night. Katherine reportedly plants a great chestnut tree, which continues to stand today. 

26 Jun 1542 - Death of youngest brother Robert Tailboys, 3rd Baron Tailboys of Kyme; ELIZABETH TAILBOYS inherits the barony of Kyme - she is subsequently known as '4th Baroness of Kyme'.

13 Jun 1550 - Privy Council meeting called to intervene in 'Domestic Quarrel' between ELIZABETH TAILBOYS and husband Thomas Wymbish.

Late Dec 1552/Early Jan 1553 - Death of husband Thomas Wymbish at Kyme (will is written on 26 Dec 1552, and is executed on 27 Jan 1553); requested to be buried at Parish Church of Kyme. 

Early 1553 - Marriage of ELIZABETH TAILBOYS to widower AMBROSE DUDLEY - this is the 2nd marriage for both. 

09 Jul 1553 - JANE GREY summoned to Syon House, where she is informed of death of EDWARD VI and offered crown of England. She is greeted by the Privy Council, lead by JOHN DUDLEY, and other Dudley family members, including ELIZABETH TAILBOYS and AMBROSE DUDLEY.

21 Jul 1553 - Arrest of husband AMBROSE DUDLEY due to role in attempted coup involving JANE GREY; is returned with father and brothers from Cambridge to London, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. 

Sep 1553 - Permission is given to visit husband AMBROSE DUDLEY at the Tower of London.

13 Nov 1553 - Trial of husband AMBROSE DUDLEY at the City of London Guildhall; he is found guilt of high treason, attained, and sentenced to death. 

Autumn 1554 - ELIZABETH TAILBOYS commissioned Roger Ascham, Mary I's Latin Secretary, to write a petition to Mary I and Philip II, seeking a pardon for husband AMBROSE DUDLEY. 

11 Oct 1554 - Dudley brothers-in-law, including ROBERT DUDLEY are released from the Tower of London; eldest JOHN DUDLEY dies at Penshurst Place 10 days later. Husband AMBROSE DUDLEY remains imprisoned in the Tower, 

Nov 1554 - ELIZABETH TAILBOYS commissioned Roger Ascham, Mary I's Latin Secretary, to write a petition to Mary I and Philip II, seeking a pardon for husband AMBROSE DUDLEY. 

Dec 1554 - AMBROSE DUDLEY has been released from Tower of London; joins brother ROBERT DUDLEY in participating in tournament celebrating Anglo-Spanish relations. 

Jan 1555 - Husband AMBROSE DUDLEY pardoned (but remained attained - unable to claim inheritance, lands etc).

Spring 1555 - ELIZABETH TAILBOYS suffers an 'hysterical pregnancy'.

17 Jul 1556 - Following petition written by ELIZABETH TAILBOYS, her and husband AMBROSE DUDLEY granted inheritance of mother-in-law JANE GUILDFORD.

Jan-Sep 1557 - Husband AMBROSE DUDLEY and brothers support Philip II's Spanish forces in France, and participate in the Siege of Saint-Quentin (Aug 1557).

07 Mar 1558 - Husband AMBROSE DUDLEY and siblings restored by Act of Parliament, in recognition for services provided in France.

Nov 1558 - Elizabeth I ascends the throne; husband AMBROSE DUDLEY appointed as 'Master of Ordinances'.

15 Jan 1559 - Elizabeth I's Coronation is held at Westminster Abbey; husband AMBROSE DUDLEY plays central role in procession and ceremony. ELIZABETH TAILBOYS likely to have attended. 

25 Dec 1561 - Husband AMBROSE DUDLEY created Baron Lisle. 

26 Dec 1561 - Husband AMBROSE DUDLEY created 3rd Earl of Warwick. 

06 Apr 1562 - Husband AMBROSE DUDLEY granted lordship of Warwick Castle, in addition to other Warwickshire estates. 

Oct 1562 - Husband AMBROSE DUDLEY given command of expeditionary force in Newhaven (Le Havre), France.

Bef. 28 Mar 1563 - Death of ELIZABETH TAILBOYS, whilst husband AMBROSE DUDLEY is serving in France.

Barony of Kyme becomes extinct on this date, as no surviving descendants of Gilbert Tailboys and his children,
Manor of South Kyme is inherited by Robert Dymoke - husband of Bridget Clinton, and son of Sir Edward Dymoke and Anne Tailboys (Gilbert's sister).