Biography of Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire 1563-1607

Paternal Family Tree: Devereux

Maternal Family Tree: Emma de Dinan 1136-1208

1603 Arrival of Anne of Denmark

1604 Masque of the Twelve Goddesses

1605 Masque of Blackness

On 17 Sep 1558 Walter Devereux 1st Viscount Hereford (age 70) died. His grandson [her father] Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex (age 17) succeeded 2nd Viscount Hereford, 11th Baron Ferrers of Chartley.

Around 1561 [her father] Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex (age 19) and [her mother] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 17) were married. She by marriage Viscountess Hereford. They were fourth cousins.

In Jan 1563 Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire was born to Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex (age 21) and Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 19) at Chartley Castle [Map].

On 04 May 1572 [her father] Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex (age 30) was created 1st Earl Essex. [her mother] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 28) by marriage Countess Essex.

On 22 Sep 1576 [her father] Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex (age 35) died. His son [her brother] Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex (age 10) succeeded 2nd Earl Essex, 3rd Viscount Hereford, 12th Baron Ferrers of Chartley, 9th Baron Bourchier.

On 21 Sep 1578 [her step-father] Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester (age 46) and [her mother] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 34) were married secretly much to the anguish of Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 45) who developed a deep hatred of Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 34). She by marriage Countess of Leicester. Roger North 2nd Baron North (age 48) was present. He the son of John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland and Jane Guildford Duchess Northumberland.

In 1581 Robert Rich 2nd Baron Rich of Leez (age 44) died. In 1581 His son [her future husband] Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 21) succeeded 3rd Baron Rich of Leez.

On 10 Jan 1581 Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 21) and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 18) were married. She by marriage Baroness Rich of Leez. She the daughter of Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex and Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 37).

On 05 Jun 1587 [her son] Robert Rich 2nd Earl Warwick was born to [her husband] Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 27) and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 24).

In 1589 [her daughter] Lettice Rich was born to [her husband] Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 29) and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 25).

Around 1589 [her daughter] Essex Rich was born to [her husband] Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 29) and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 25).

Around Apr 1589 [her step-father] Christopher Blount (age 24) and [her mother] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 45) were married. The difference in their ages was 21 years; she, unusually, being older than him.

Before 19 Aug 1590 [her son] Henry Rich 1st Earl Holland was born to [her husband] Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 30) and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 27).

Around 1593 [her daughter] Isabella Rich was born to [her husband] Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 33) and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 29).

In 1594 William Blount 7th Baron Mountjoy (age 33) died at Hooke, Dorset. His brother [her future husband] Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 31) succeeded 8th Baron Mountjoy.

Around 1597 [her illegitimate son] Mountjoy Blount 1st Earl Newport was born illegitimately to [her future husband] Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 34) and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 33). Illegitimate at birth his parents subsequently married.

In 1603 [her future husband] Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 40) was created 1st Earl Devonshire.

Arrival of Anne of Denmark

On 03 Jun 1603 a number of English noble ladies selected by the Privy Council greeted Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland (age 28) at Berwick on Tweed [Map] with two-hudred horse including ...

Frances Howard Countess Kildare

Elizabeth Hastings Countess of Worcester (age 57)

Philadelphia Carey Baroness Scrope Bolton

Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 40).

Anne Lady Herbert (age 20)

Audrey Shelton Lady Walsingham (age 34).

Masque of the Twelve Goddesses

On 08 Jan 1604 the Masque of the Twelve Goddesses was performed in the Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace, Richmond [Map]. The performers included:

Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland (age 29) played Pallas.

Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 40) played Juno.

Frances Howard Duchess Lennox and Richmond (age 25) played Diana.

Lucy Harrington Countess Bedford (age 24) played Vesta.

Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby (age 28) played Proserpine.

Margaret Stewart 1st Countess Nottingham (age 13) played Concordia.

Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 41) played Venus.

Elizabeth Cecil Lady Hatton (age 26) played Macaria.

Audrey Shelton Lady Walsingham (age 35) played Astraea.

Susan Vere Countess Montgomery (age 16) played Flora.

Dorothy Hastings (age 25) played Ceres.

Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 21) played Tethys.

In 1605 Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 45) and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 41) were divorced.

Masque of Blackness

On 06 Jan 1605, Twelfth Night, the Ben Johnson (age 33) Masque of Blackness was performed at the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace [Map]. The performers included:

Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland (age 30) played Euphoris.

Lucy Harrington Countess Bedford (age 25) played Aglaia.

Anne Lady Herbert (age 22) played Diaphane.

Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby (age 29) played Eucampse.

Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 41) played Kathare.

Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 42) played Ocyte.

Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill (age 39) played Notis.

Anne St John Lady Effingham (age 30) played Psychrote.

Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 22) played Glycyte.

Susan Vere Countess Montgomery (age 17) played Malacia.

Mary Sidney Lady Wroth (age 18) played Baryte.

Audrey Shelton Lady Walsingham (age 36) played Periphere.

Memorials of affairs of state in the reigns of Q Elizabeth and K James I Volume 2 Dudley Carleton to Mr Winwood Jan 1605. At Night we had the Queen's Maske in the Banqueting-House [Map], or rather her Pagent. There was a great Engine at the lower end of the Room, which had Motion, and in it were the Images of Sea-Horses with other terrible Fishes, which were ridden by Moors: The Indecorum was, that there was all Fish and no Water. At the further end was a great Shell in form of a Skallop,wherein were four Seats; on the lowest sat the Queen (age 30) with my Lady Bedford (age 25); on the left were placed the Ladies Suffolk (age 41), Darby (age 29), Rich (age 42), Effingham (age 30), Ann Herbert (age 22), Susan Herbert (age 17), Elizabeth Howard (age 22), Walsingham (age 36) and Bevil (age 39). Their Apparell was rich, but too light and Currizan-light for such great ones. Instead of Vizzards, their Faces, and Arms up to the Elbows, were painted black, which was Disguise sufficient, for they were hard to be known; but it became them nothing so well as their red and white, and you cannot imagine a more ugly Sight, then a Troop of lean-cheeked Moors. The Spanish and Venetian Ambassadors were both present, and sate by the King in State; at which Monsieur Beaumont quarrells so extreamly, that he saith the whole Court is Spanish. But by his Favour, he should fall out with none but himself, for they were all indifferently invited to come as private Men, to a private Sport; which he refusing, the Spanish Ambassador willingly accepted, and being there, feeing no Cause to the contrary, he put off Don Taxis, and took upon him El Senor Embaxadour, wherein he outstript our little Monsieur. He was privately at the first Mask, and fate amongst his Men disguised; at this he was taken out to dance, and footed it like a lusty old Gallant with his Country Woman. He took out the Queen, and forgot not to kiss her Hand, though there was Danger it would have left a Mark on his Lips. The Night's Work was concluded with a Banquet in the great Chamber, which was so furioufly assaulted, that down went Table and Tresses before one bit was touched. They say the Duke Holst will come upon us with an after reckoning, and that we shall see him on Candlemas Night in a Mask, as he hath shewed himself a lusty Reveller all this Christmas.

In Feb 1605 [her son] Robert Rich 2nd Earl Warwick (age 17) and [her daughter-in-law] Frances Hatton Countess Warwick (age 15) were married. He the son of Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 45) and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 42).

On 26 Dec 1605 Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 42) and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 42) were married at Wansted House during a service conducted by Archbishop William Laud (age 32) (future). The marriage was regarded as uncanonical and resulted in the disgrace of both parties, who were banished from King James I's court circles. She by marriage Countess Devonshire. She the daughter of Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex and Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 62). They were third cousins.

On 03 Apr 1606 [her husband] Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 43) died at Savoy Palace [Map]. Earl Devonshire extinct.

On 07 Jul 1607 Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 44) died.

In 1616 [her former husband] Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 56) and Frances Wray Countess Warwick were married. She by marriage Baroness Rich of Leez.

On 20 Mar 1619 [her former husband] Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 59) died. His son [her son] Robert Rich 2nd Earl Warwick (age 31) succeeded 2nd Earl Warwick, 4th Baron Rich of Leez. [her daughter-in-law] Frances Hatton Countess Warwick (age 29) by marriage Countess Warwick.

He was buried at St Lawrence's Church, Snarford [Map]. Unusual head and shoulder portrait sculpture of deceased full face, with a profile of his wife Frances Wray Countess Warwick behind, set in a circular medallion. To either side are pelleted Pilasters supporting an entablature with scrolled Cartouche of arms and flanked by heraldic supporters. The whole is painted and gilded and beneath is a panel containing an inscribed poem. Above his Arms implaled with hers. His are quartered 1&4 Rich Arms 2&3 Baldry Arms (his mother), hers quartered 1&4 Wray 2&3 Unknown. the monument is perhaps the work of Epiphanius Evesham. Sculpted by Epiphanius Evesham.

[her son] Charles Rich was born to Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire.

[her daughter] Penelope Rich Lady Clifton was born to Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire.

Thomas Cheeke and [her daughter] Essex Rich were married. She the daughter of Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire. They were third cousin once removed.

John Smythe and [her daughter] Isabella Rich were married. She the daughter of Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire.

Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire 1563-1607 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 1415-1472

Royal Ancestors of Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire 1563-1607

Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of William "Lion" I King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of Philip "The Fair" IV King France

Royal Descendants of Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire 1563-1607

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom x 2

Diana Spencer Princess Wales x 1

Ancestors of Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire 1563-1607

Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 7 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Devereux Baron Ferrers of Chartley 8 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Merbury

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Devereux 9th Baron Ferrers of Chartley 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ferrers 7th Baron Ferrers of Chartley 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Ferrers 8th Baroness Ferrers Chartley 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 1st Viscount Hereford 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Bourchier 2nd Count Eu 1st Earl Essex Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Bourchier Viscount Bourchier 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Cecily Bourchier Baroness Ferrers Chartley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Woodville Viscountess Bourchier 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

GrandFather: Richard Devereux 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Grey Baron Ferrers of Groby 6 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Grey 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ferrers 6th Baroness Ferrers Groby 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Grey Baroness Ferrers Chartley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bonville 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Bonville 6th Baron Harington 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harrington

Great x 2 Grandmother: Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Neville Earl Salisbury Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Baroness Bonville and Hastings 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Father: Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Leonard Hastings

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Camoys 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Hastings 2nd Baron Hastings Baron Botreaux, Hungerford and Moleyns 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Neville Earl Salisbury Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Baroness Bonville and Hastings 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Hungerford 3rd Baron Hungerford 1st Baron Moleyns 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Hungerford 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Moleyns Baroness Hungerford 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Hungerford Baroness Hastings, 4th Baroness Hungerford, 5th Baroness Botreaux and 2nd Baroness Moleyns 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Percy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Poynings Countess Northumberland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

GrandMother: Dorothy Hastings 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 1st Duke of Buckingham Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Neville Duchess Buckingham Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke Somerset Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Beaufort 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodville

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Bittelsgate

Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham Duchess Bedford 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margherita Baux 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Knollys

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Knollys

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Knollys

Great x 4 Grandfather: William D'Oyley

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Doyley

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Knollys

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Troutbeck

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Troutbeck

GrandFather: Francis Knollys

Great x 1 Grandmother: Lettice Peniston

Mother: Lettice Knollys Countess Essex 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Carey 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Carey 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Christiana Orchard

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Carey 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Baldwin Fulford

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anna Fulford

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Carey 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Spencer of Spencer Combe

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Spencer 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke Somerset Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Beaufort Countess Ormonde 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

GrandMother: Catherine Carey 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Geoffrey Boleyn

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Boleyn

Great x 4 Grandmother: Ann Hoo

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Butler 7th Earl Ormonde 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Butler 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Hankford Countess Ormonde 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Boleyn 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Moleyns 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick Tilney

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cheney 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England