Catherine Carey, later Lady Knollys (c. 1524 – 15 January, 1568) was Chief Lady of the Bedchamber to Elizabeth I of England. Catherine Carey was the daughter of Sir William Carey, Gentleman of the Privy Chamber and Esquire of the Body to King Henry VIII of England, and his wife Lady Mary Boleyn, who had once been mistress of King Henry VIII. Legend states that Catherine was an illegimate child of the King. Catherine was a witness to the execution of her royal aunt, Anne Boleyn, in 1536.[1] In 1539, she was married to Sir Francis Knollys. Her husband was named a Knight of the Garter in 1593, but he had been knighted in 1547. From that date, Catherine became known as Lady Knollys. They had a total of twelve children:
- Lettice Knollys (c. 1540 - 25 December, 1634). She married first Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex, secondly Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester and thirdly Sir Christopher Blount.
- Sir Henry Knollys (c. 1542 - 1583). He was a Member of Parliament representing first Shoreham, Kent (1563) and then Oxfordshire. Esquire of the Body to Elizabeth I. He was married to Margaret Cave (1549 - 1600), daughter of Sir Ambrose Cave and Margaret Willington.
- Elizabeth Knollys. She married Sir Thomas Leighton, son of John Leighton of Watlesburgh and Joyce Sutton, in 1578. Her husband served as governor of Jersey.
- William Knollys, 1st Earl of Banbury (c. 1544 - 25 May, 1632). He was married first to Dorothy Bray and secondly to Elizabeth Howard, daughter of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk and his second wife Catherine Knyvett.
- Edward Knollys (1546 - 1580). He was a Member of Parliament.
- Sir Robert Knollys (1547 - 1626). Member of Parliament representing Reading, Berkshire (1572 - 1589), Brecknockshire (1589 - 1604), Abingdon, Oxfordshire (1604, 1624 - 1625) and finally Berkshire (1626). He married Catherine Vaughan, daughter of Sir Rowland Vaughan of Porthamel.
- Richard Knollys (1548 - 21 August, 1596). Member of Parliament representing first Wallingford (1584) and then Northampton (1588). Married Joan Heigham, daughter of John Heigham of Cliffords.
- Sir Thomas Knollys (d. 1596). Better known for service in the Eighty Years' War (1568 - 1648). Governor of Ostend in 1586. Married Odelia de Morana, daughter of John de Morada, Marquess of Bergen.
- Sir Francis Knollys "the Young" (c. 1552 - 1643). Member of Parliament representing first Oxford (1572 - 1588) and then Berkshire (1597, 1625). Married Lettice Barrett, daughter of John Barrett of Hanham. Father-in-law of John Hampden.
- Anne Knollys (c. 1553 - last reported alive 30 August , 1608). Married Thomas West, 2nd Baron De La Warr. Mother to Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr.
- Catherine Knollys (c. 1560 - 20 December, 1620). Married first Gerald FitzGerald, Lord Offaly and secondly Sir Phillip Butler of Watton Woodhall, a possible descendant of James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormonde.
- Cecily Knollys. No known descendants.
Her niece was Katherine Carey, who became Countess of Nottingham.
References
- ^ See Ives
- "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" by Alison Weir
- "The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn" by Eric Ives
