Margaret Audley, Duchess of Norfolk: Another 'Dudley Woman'

Introducing Margaret Audley, Duchess of Norfolk, wife of Lord Henry Dudley, (known throughout his short life as 'Harry Dudley').

'Margaret Audley, Duchess of Norfolk' Artist: Hans Eworth Year: 1562 © Audley End Estate

Margaret was born in 1540, the eldest daughter of Thomas Audley, the Lord High Chancellor of England during the reign of Henry VIII, and his second wife, Lady Elizabeth Grey, the elder sister of Henry Grey, 3rd Marquess of Dorset (later the 1st Duke of Suffolk).

'Thomas Audley (c.1488–1544), 1st Baron Audley of Walden' Artist: ?John Bettes Year: 1569 © Audley End Estate

'Elizabeth Audley (c.1510–64), Lady Audley (née Lady Elizabeth Grey' Artist: ?John Bettes Year: 1569 © Audley End Estate

Margaret became a ward of Edward VI in 1549, following the death of Sir Anthony Denny, to whom her wardship had been given following her father's death in 1544. Given John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland's position within the regency council, as Lord President, towards the end of his reign, it is likely that aged around 13, she was married to Dudley's youngest surviving son, Harry, in late Spring/early Summer 1553. There were a round of weddings and betrothals at this time, including Margaret's cousin Jane Grey to Harry's elder brother Guildford Dudley, in attempts to secure political alliances in preparation for an inevitable upcoming regime change. Margaret was also a wealthy heiress, due to inherit many of her late father's properties in Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire and Essex, including Walden Abbey, which would also be an attractive prospect for the Dudley family, eager to expand their power.

'Lord Henry Dudley - "aged 20 1/2 years"' Unknown English Artist Year: c.1557 © Parham House

Harry, along with his elder brothers, was imprisoned in the Tower of London following the failed coup to place Margaret's cousin Lady Jane Grey on the English throne in Jul 1553, and in Nov 1553 was found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death. However, he escaped the fate of his older brother Guildford and his young wife, and with brothers John, Ambrose and Robert was released from the Tower in Oct 1553. Having been pardoned by Mary I, Harry subsequently died at the Siege of Saint-Quentin, France in Aug 1557, aged "20 and a half years" (according to his portrait).

'Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk' Unknown Artist Year: 1565 © National Portrait Gallery, London

The following year, Margaret was betrothed to Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk; however, there were delays in the marriage, due to the need to obtain papal dispensation (Norfolk's previous wife was a cousin of Margaret's). However, following the death of Mary, the accession of Elizabeth I and the abandonment of Catholicism in England, the marriage went ahead in late Nov/early Dec 1558. The new Duchess of Norfolk had a role in the coronation of Elizabeth the following month.

Margaret died in Norwich in Jan 1564, a few weeks following the birth of her youngest child; she had left Walden Abbey, and was said to be making her way back to London, reportedly eager to be reunited with her husband, when her health began to fail, and she succumbed to her illness.

'Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk' Unknown Artist Year: c.1605 © National Portrait Gallery, London

Margaret's eldest son, Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk, later inherited Walden Abbey, embarked on a major building project, demolishing the older extended house, and constructing an impressive Jacobean house, renamed as 'Audley End', reportedly costing £200,000. He would later be imprisoned in the Tower of London on charges of embezzlement, and would die at Audley End in debt and disgrace.

Her widower, the Duke of Norfolk, would be executed in 1571 at the Tower of London after being convicted of high treason, for his role in the 'Ridolfi Plot' - a Catholic Conspiracy to remove Elizabeth from the English throne, and replace her with the Scottish Catholic queen, Mary Queen of Scots.