Biography of Mary Shelton 1510-1571

Before 1503 [her father] John Shelton (age 25) and [her mother] Anne Boleyn (age 27) were married.

Around 1510 Mary Shelton was born to John Shelton (age 33) and Anne Boleyn (age 34).

From February 1535 [her sister] Margaret "Madge" Shelton was believed to have been a mistress of King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 43). Eustace Chapuys (age 45) refers to "Mistress Shelton". Others have suggested "Mistress Shelton" could be Madge's sister Mary Shelton (age 25).

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1535. 25th February 1535. 263. Today the Duke of Suffolk (age 51) leaves secretly for Suffolk, I know not for what purpose. Norfolk (age 62) withdrew to his house 15 days ago very ill-pleased. The day before he left he complained to lord Montague (age 43) that he was held in no esteem, "et par avant avoit nulle choses de la dame du Roy¹." The Marquis has been [word omitted] and only regrets that he has no opportunity of shedding his blood in the service of the Queen and Princess; "sil estoit question de quelque chose il ne seroit des derniers, et unyroit petite suyte²." The young lady who was lately in the King's favour is so no longer. There has succeeded to her place a cousin german of the concubine (age 34), daughter [either [her sister] Margaret "Madge" Shelton, [her sister] Anne Shelton or Mary Shelton (age 25)] of the present [her mother] gouvernante (age 59) of the Princess. The Queen has been informed on good authority that the Waywode's man was seeking the marriage of the Princess with his master; but there is no great probability that he will succeed either in this or in obtaining money. I will inform your Majesty hereafter of whatever I may hear about this and about a gentleman lately come from the Duke of Holstein. I am informed letters have come from Gregory de Casale, who says the Pope told him that if the King would replace matters of the Church as they were, other things could be arranged; but all that is lost labor. So great is the obstinacy and avarice of the King, that he would sooner take back the Queen than restore what is due to the Church, from which he has taken, within the last month, 50,000 ducats, "emolument d'eslus"³.

Note 1. "and before had nothing of the King's lady."

Note 2. if it were a question of something it would not be among the last, and straight small continuation?

Note 3. first-fruits.

Around 1538 Hans Holbein The Younger (age 41). Drawing of Mary Shelton (age 28). The attribution is somewhat uncertain. She, Mary, was married after Holbein's death so the title "The Lady Hanagham" would be insconsistent. However, some argue that the title was added after the painting was originally completed. If not Mary Shelton then possibly her husband's mother Alice Shelton.

Alice Shelton: she was born to Ralph Shelton and Margaret Clere. Around 1467 Edmund Bedingfield and she were married. Before 1501 John Heveningham of Ketteringham and she were married. On 6th October 1540 Alice Shelton died. She was buried at Church of St Margaret, Heveningham.

On 21st December 1539 [her father] John Shelton (age 62) died.

Before 14th April 1545 Thomas Clere and Mary Shelton (age 35) were betrothed. They were first cousins.

On 14th April 1545 Thomas Clere died. He left everything to his fiancé Mary Shelton (age 35) who subsequently married [her future husband] Anthony Heveningham (age 44).

Before 7th February 1546 [her future husband] Anthony Heveningham (age 45) and Catherine Calthorpe were married.

After 7th February 1546 Anthony Heveningham (age 45) and Mary Shelton (age 36) were married. They were first cousin once removed.

Around 1550 [her daughter] Abigail Heveningham was born to [her husband] Anthony Heveningham (age 49) and Mary Shelton (age 40) at Ketteringham, Norfolk.

On 8th January 1556 [her mother] Anne Boleyn (age 80) died at Norwich, Norfolk [Map].

On 22nd November 1557 [her husband] Anthony Heveningham (age 56) died.

After 22nd November 1557 Philip Appleyard (age 29) and Mary Shelton (age 47) were married.

On or before 8th January 1571, the day she was buried at the Church of St Margaret, Heveningham, Mary Shelton (age 61) died.