ON THIS DAY - 06 November 1543

On This Day (06 Nov) in 1543, Lettice Knollys was born at Greys Court, Rotherfield Greys, Oxon.

'Lettice Knollys, Countess of Leicester' Artist: George Gower Year: c.1585 © Longleat House

Lettice was the 3rd child of Francis Knollys, one of Henry VIII's Gentleman Pensioners (Royal Bodyguards) and Catherine Carey, the daughter of Mary Boleyn, and cousin of the future Elizabeth I. The couple appear to have met at court in Nov 1539, when Catherine had been appointed as a lady-in-waiting to Henry's new wife, Anne of Cleves.

Greys Court is a Tudor Manor House built on the manor of Rotherfield Greys; this manor was initially granted to Francis's parents Robert Knollys and Lettice Peniston by Henry VIII in 1514, for the annual rent of one red rose, payable at midsummer 🌹

Greys Court, Rotherfield Greys, Oxon © National Trust

Following Francis's marriage to Catherine in 1540, the couple were known to have taken up residence at Greys Court, granted to the couple by the King and an Act of Parliament, where they raised their young family - there would be a further 11/12 children born to the couple, including Elizabeth (b.1549) who joined her mother and older sister at court on the ascension on Elizabeth I in Nov 1558.

(L-R) Sir Francis Knollys the Elder (1512–1596) Artist: English School Year: 1572 © National Trust Images Katherine Knollys (née Carey), Lady Knollys Unknown Artist Year: 1562 © Yale Center for British Art

Francis and Catherine were supporters of the new Reformed religion, and welcomed the changes that came during Edward VI's reign. The Knollys children were educated at Greys Court, with tutors including Julins/Julius Palmer, a former fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, who was later burnt at the stake in Newbury, Berkshire in Jul 1556, following his conviction as a Protestant heretic, as a "sower of sedition, and a procurer of unlawful assemblie".

'The Martyrdom of Julius Palmer, John Gwyn & Thomas Atkin at Newbury, Jul 1556' From Foxes Book of Martyrs © Public Domain

Following Mary I's ascension in Jul 1553, there were significant changes for the Knollys family, due to the introduction of Mary's Catholic policies. Francis leaves England for Geneva in Sep 1554, taking his eldest son Henry with him; his wife Catherine and the five youngest children later join them in 1557, and they spend the next couple years on the Protestant-friendly continent, only returning on the death of Mary, and accession of Catherine's cousin Elizabeth, with whom she has been close throughout her life.

Lettice does not appear to have travelled abroad with her parents, with speculation that she may have been placed within Elizabeth's household at Hatfield House during this period.