Susan Clarencieux (c. 1510–1564?) was a favourite lady in waiting and longtime friend to Queen Mary I of England.
She was born Susan White, the daughter of Richard White of Hutton, Essex and Lady Margaret Strelley. She married Thomas Tonge, but because her husband was Clarenceux King of Arms she was known as Mistress Clarencieux.[1]
Susan joined Princess Mary's household as a maid in waiting when Mary was sent to the Welsh Marches as heiress presumptive.
Following Mary's refusal to acknowledge Anne Boleyn as her father's wife, Mary's household was dissolved and Clarencieux lost her position, but was reinstated when Mary's household was re-established after she succumbed to the pressure forced on her by her father's officials.
Clarencieux continued in her position enjoying a close personal friendship with Queen Mary and survived her mistress following her death in 1558. She emigrated to Spain with another of Mary's former servants Jane Dormer, who was by then married to the Duke of Feria a friend of Queen Mary's widower Philip II of Spain. She probably died in Spring 1564 while a member of Feria's household.[2]
Little else is known about Clarencieux; she may have been married in the three years of Mary's time at Hatfield. It is believed she had two children to whom Mary was possibly godmother.