Biography of Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury 1583-1658

Paternal Family Tree: Howard

Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Stumpe

1604 Masque of the Twelve Goddesses

1605 Masque of Blackness

1632 Gunpowder Plot

Before 1548 [her future brother-in-law] Robert Knollys and Catherine Vaughan were married.

On 19 Nov 1571 Thomas West 2nd Baron De La Warr (age 15) and [her future sister-in-law] Anne Knollys Baroness De La Warr (age 16) were married.

Before 1572 [her father] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 10) and Mary Dacre (age 8) were married. She by marriage Baroness Audley Walden in Essex. She died six years later three months short of her fifteenth birthday. She being his step-sister. An unusual example of a Marriage of Three Sets of Siblings where, in this case, three brothers, married three sisters, who were also step-siblings, as a means of keeping the sisters inheritance. She the daughter of Thomas Dacre 4th Baron Dacre Gilsland 8th Baron Greystoke and Elizabeth Leybourne Duchess Norfolk. He the son of Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk (age 35) and Margaret Audley Duchess Norfolk. They were half third cousin once removed.

In Oct 1578 Gerald Fitzgerald Baron Offaly (age 18) and [her future sister-in-law] Catherine Knollys Baroness Offaly (age 18) were married. She by marriage Baroness Offaly. He the son of Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare (age 53) and Mabel Browne Countess Kildare (age 42).

Before 1580 Richard Rich and [her mother] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 15) were married.

After Jun 1580 Philip Boteler (age 20) and [her future sister-in-law] Catherine Knollys Baroness Offaly (age 20) were married.

Before 1582 [her father] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 20) and [her mother] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 17) were married. She by marriage Baroness Audley Walden in Essex. He the son of Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk and Margaret Audley Duchess Norfolk. They were third cousins.

Around 1583 Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury was born to Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 21) and Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 19).

Before 1595 [her future husband] William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury (age 51) and Dorothy Braye Baroness Chandos and Knollys (age 70) were married. The difference in their ages was 20 years; she, unusually, being older than him.

On 20 Aug 1595 William Vaux 3rd Baron Vaux Harrowden (age 60) died. His grandson [her future husband] Edward Vaux 4th Baron Vaux Harrowden (age 6) succeeded 4th Baron Vaux Harrowden.

In 1597 [her father] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 35) was created 1st Baron Howard de Walden by writ of summons. [her mother] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 33) by marriage Baroness Howard de Walden. His [her grandmother] mother's father was the first and last Baron Audley Walden in Essex.

In 1603 [her future husband] William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury (age 59) was created 1st Baron Knollys. Dorothy Braye Baroness Chandos and Knollys (age 79) by marriage Baroness Knollys.

In 1603 [her father] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 41) was created 1st Earl Suffolk. [her mother] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 39) by marriage Countess Suffolk.

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.

[her mother] 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.

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.

[her mother] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 41) played Kathare.

Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 42) played Ocyte.

[her aunt] 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 [her mother] 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 [her aunt] 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.

On 23 Dec 1605 William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury (age 61) and Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 22) were married. She by marriage Baroness Knollys. The difference in their ages was 39 years. She the daughter of Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 44) and Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 41). They were third cousin once removed.

On 30 Aug 1608 [her sister-in-law] Anne Knollys Baroness De La Warr (age 53) died.

Before 1616 Henry Neville 9th and 7th Baron Bergavenny (age 37) and [her future sister-in-law] Catherine Vaux Baroness Bergavenny (age 23) were married at Great Harrowden, Northamptonshire.

In 1616 [her husband] William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury (age 72) was created 1st Viscount Wallingford. Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 33) by marriage Viscountess Wallingford.

In 1619 Daniel Mijtens (age 29). Portrait of Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 36).

In Jan 1619 [her brother-in-law] Robert Knollys (age 71) died.

On 20 Dec 1620 [her sister-in-law] Catherine Knollys Baroness Offaly (age 61) died.

In 1626 [her husband] William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury (age 82) was created 1st Earl Banbury. Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 43) by marriage Countess Banbury.

On 28 May 1626 [her father] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 64) died at Charing Cross [Map]. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His son [her brother] Theophilus Howard 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 43) succeeded 2nd Earl Suffolk. Elizabeth Home Countess Suffolk (age 27) by marriage Countess Suffolk.

In 1627 [her son] Edward Knollys 2nd Earl Banbury was born to [her husband] William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury (age 83) and Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 44). The true father is believed to be [her future husband] Edward Vaux 4th Baron Vaux Harrowden (age 38) who Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 44) married shortly after the death of Edward Knollys 2nd Earl Banbury.

In 1631 [her son] Nicholas Knollys 3rd Earl Banbury was born to [her husband] William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury (age 87) and Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 48). The true father is believed to be [her future husband] Edward Vaux 4th Baron Vaux Harrowden (age 42) who Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 48) married shortly after the death of [her son] Edward Knollys 2nd Earl Banbury (age 4).

On 25 May 1632 [her husband] William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury (age 88) died. His eldest son His brother Edward Knollys de jure 2nd Earl Banbury, 2nd Viscount Wallingford, 2nd Baron Knollys. Parliament disallowed the succession on the basis that [her son] Edward (age 5) had been born when William was some eighty-two years old and Edward was, in fact, the son of [her future husband] Edward Vaux 4th Baron Vaux Harrowden (age 43) whom Edward's mother (age 49) subsequently married around a month after William's death.

Gunpowder Plot

Around 30 Jun 1632 Edward Vaux 4th Baron Vaux Harrowden (age 43) and Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 49) were married some five weeks after the death of her first husband William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury (age 88) on 25 May 1632. They, Edward and Elizabeth, when teenagers, had been subject to marriage negotiations which broke down as a consequence of the Gunpowder Plot and she had married William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury (deceased) some forty years her senior. She the daughter of Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk and Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 68).

In 1638 [her mother] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 74) died.

Before Jun 1645 [her son] Edward Knollys 2nd Earl Banbury (age 18) was killed in an argument. His brother [her son] Nicholas Knollys 3rd Earl Banbury (age 14) succeeded 3rd Earl Banbury, 3rd Viscount Wallingford, 3rd Baron Knollys although was never summoned to Parliament as a consequence of questions over his father's paternity.

Around 07 Jul 1649 [her sister-in-law] Catherine Vaux Baroness Bergavenny (age 57) died.

Before Feb 1655 [her son] Nicholas Knollys 3rd Earl Banbury (age 24) and [her daughter-in-law] Isabella Blount (age 25) were married. She the daughter of Mountjoy Blount 1st Earl Newport (age 58) and Anne Boteler Countess Newport and Portland (age 55). He the son of William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury and Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 72). They were first cousin twice removed.

On 04 Oct 1655 [her son] Nicholas Knollys 3rd Earl Banbury (age 24) and [her daughter-in-law] Anne or Abigail Sherard (age 22) were married. He the son of William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury and Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 72).

On 17 Apr 1658 Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 75) died.

On 08 Sep 1661 [her former husband] Edward Vaux 4th Baron Vaux Harrowden (age 72) died. His brother [her former brother-in-law] Henry Vaux 5th Baron Vaux Harrowden (age 70) succeeded 5th Baron Vaux Harrowden. He left all of his estates to his presumed son [her son] Nicholas Knollys 3rd Earl Banbury (age 30).

Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury 1583-1658 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk 1473-1554

Royal Ancestors of Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury 1583-1658

Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of William "Lion" I King Scotland

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

Kings France: Great x 10 Grand Daughter of Philip "The Fair" IV King France

Ancestors of Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury 1583-1658

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 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk 6 x Great Grand Son 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

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Howard 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham Duchess Bedford 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

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

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Percy Duchess Buckingham 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

GrandFather: Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert de Vere 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John de Vere 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Courtenay 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Colbroke

Great x 1 Grandmother: Frances Vere Countess of Surrey 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Trussell

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Trussell

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Trussell Countess of Oxford 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Donne

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Donne 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Hastings 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Father: Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Audley

Great x 2 Grandfather: Geoffrey Audley

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Audley 1st Baron Audley Walden

GrandMother: Margaret Audley Duchess Norfolk 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Grey 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bonville 6th Baron Harington 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

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

Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Baroness Bonville and Hastings 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Grey Baroness Audley 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Nicholas Wotton

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Wotton of Boughton Malherbe

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset

Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Knyvet

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Knyvet 8 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Grey 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Knyvet 9 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Knyvet of Charlton Wiltshire 7 x Great Grand Son 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: Muriel Howard Viscountess Lisle 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

GrandFather: Henry Knyvet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: James Pickering

Great x 3 Grandfather: James Pickering 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Lascelles 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Christopher Pickering 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Pickering 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Lewknor

Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Lewknor

Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Lewknor 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Tuchet 6th Baron Audley, 3rd Baron Tuchet 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Tuchet 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Echingham Baroness Audley Heighley 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Mother: Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

GrandMother: Elizabeth Stumpe