Elizabeth, Lady Carew (formerly Lady Elizabeth Bryan), born around 1500, was an English courtier and reputed mistress of King Henry VIII.
Contents |
Elizabeth was the daughter of Sir Thomas Bryan and his wife, Margaret, daughter of Sir Humphrey Bourchier. Her husband was Henry VIII's close friend Sir Nicholas Carew, an influential statesman who was eventually executed for his alleged involvement in the Exeter Conspiracy. Her brother, Sir Francis, was a member of the Privy Chamber and one of the king's closest friends was responsible for sitting in the jury that convicted his sister's husband to death and reduced her to penury.
Lady Carew had been raised at court because her parents who both held offices in the royal household. In the early, halcyon 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 rumours 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.[1]
Her children with Nicholas Carew were:
Sir Nicholas was executed for his alleged involvement in the Exeter Conspiracy in 1540, leaving Elizabeth and the children destitute.