Elizabeth Carew
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Elizabeth, Lady Carew (born around 1500) was an English courtier during the reign of Henry VIII. Her husband was Henry VIII's close friend Sir Nicholas Carew, an influential statesman who was eventually executed for criticizing the king. She was possibly a mistress of Henry VIII.
Lady Carew had been raised at court because her parents, Sir Thomas and Lady Margaret Bryan, both held offices in the royal household. Her brother, Sir Francis, was a member of the Privy Chamber and one of the king's closest friends. In the early, halycon days of the reign, Elizabeth and her future husband were members of the king's inner social circle and performed regularly in the masques and dances that were among his favorite pastimes. Henry almost certainly arranged their marriage: he attended their wedding and endowed them with a gift of 50 marks' worth of land. In those years, the king showered Lady Carew with "beautiful diamonds and pearls and innumerable jewels."
She was a second cousin of both Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour, which increased her standing at court. Her only brother was Sir Francis Bryan, called "the Vicar of Hell" for his lack of principles. She is said to have been friends with Bessie Blount, Henry's mistress who produced an illegitimate son in 1519.
In 1514, there were rumors that Elizabeth Carew was the mistress of Henry VIII, although it may have been his brother-in-law, Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk who was the object of her affection. The king made huge presents to her over the years, including royal jewels.
Her children with Nicholas Carew were:
- Anne Carew (about 1520 – 1581)
- Married the diplomat Nicholas Throckmorton.
- Their daughter Elizabeth married Sir Walter Raleigh.
- Sir Francis Carew of Beddington (1530 – 1611)
- Was restored to Nicholas' estates, though he preferred to stay out of politics.
- Unmarried. Adopted his nephew, Nicholas Throckmorton, who adopted his name.
- Mary Carew (born about 1505)
- Married Sir Arthur Darcy.
- They had ten sons and five daughters.
- Elizabeth Carew
- Isabel Carew
Sir Nicholas was executed for alleged involved in the Exeter Conspiracy in 1540, leaving Elizabeth and the children destitute.
