Lettice Knolleys
Lady Devereaux
Countess of Essex
as portrayed by Melinda Askins
As they say, “when the cat’s away the mouse will play.” Not that my dear but boring husband Walter Devereux is anything close to a cat, but he is indeed gone for a goodly while. We have been married since 1562, of course it was all my father’s doing, Sir Francis Knollys. My father married me to a man of means, for Walter is the Viscount of Hereford and more recently the Earl of Essex. It was indeed a good marriage for me for now I am a Countess. Do not misunderstand me, Walter is a good man and a good father. Thus far we have five children, Penelope, Dorothy, Robert, Walter, and my fragile Francis. Perhaps my husband could have tamed me a bit if he wasn’t such an insufferable bore. Recently I have been happily rid of his company. With his absence, I do have needs like any woman, and I intend to meet each and every one of them.
My dear cousin Queen Elizabeth, twice removed by the grace of God, and her Eyes, my dearest “friend” My Lord Leicester, has sent my husband to Northern Ireland. What some see as a bane I see as a boon. Walter cannot meet my needs. Now what better for a lady of my high standing to do, than to attend court on her Majesty. My children are well taken care of at our house in Wanstead. My eldest daughter is attending the Queen as well. I must keep on eye on Penelope for she is an outstanding lady with of course an outstanding talent for trouble. She is much like myself a sharp tongue, a sharp wit, and a beauty beyond compare. Of course as her mother I do not compete but her beauty does not exceed my own.
I am of course the Queen’s own cousin so many a time she has me sit by her at court. Yes, the Queen does think the young men prefer her over me; she does have the title but not the countenance I inherited from my grandmother. I see the wanting glances they give me when her back is turned, and I do hope she never sees the burning looks here faithful “Eyes” focus upon me. Her wrath can be quite harsh and her sharp ringed hand quick. While at court, I intend to make the most out of every moment that I have. With the changing winds of religion, politics, and the powers that be, a lady must be watchful and tread carefully to stay in her Majesty’s good graces.
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Last updated:
May 13, 2008
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