Biography of Mary Fitton 1578-1647

In or before 1572 [her father] Edward Fitton (age 23) and [her mother] Alice Holcroft (age 31) were married.

On or before 24th June 1578 Mary Fitton was born to [her father] Edward Fitton (age 30) and [her mother] Alice Holcroft (age 38). She was baptised on 24th June 1578 at Church of St James, Gawsworth [Map].

In 1579 [her father] Edward Fitton (age 31) was appointed Receiver General for Ireland.

1592. Unknown Painter. Portrait of sisters [her sister] Anne Fitton aged eighteen and Mary Fitton (age 13) aged fifteen.

Anne Fitton: On or before 6th October 1574 she was born to Edward Fitton and Alice Holcroft. On 30th April 1587 Anne Fitton died at Stepney [Map]. On 30th April 1587 John Newdigate and she were married at Stepney [Map].

Around 1595 Mary Fitton (age 16) was appointed Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 61). Her father [her father] Edward Fitton (age 47) recommended her to the care of the married William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury (age 51) who developed a crush on her to the amusement of the court. In Jan 1599 she left court.

Around 1595. Unknown Painter. Portrait of Mary Fitton (age 16).

Letters from Sir Robert Cecil to Sir George Carew Section 8 XVII. 5th February 1600. Court. To George Carew 1st Earl Totnes (age 44).

We have no news but that there is a misfortune befallen Mistris Fitton (age 21) for she is proved with child, and the E. of Pembroke (age 19) being examyned confesseth a ffact, but utterly renounceth all marriage. I fear they will both dwell in the Tower [Map] awhyle, for the Queen (age 66) have vowed to send them thether.

When you thing fit you may send over 1076 [Desmond] but retain his patent with yourself. You shall not need to send to know her Ma'ties further pleasure. In many wayes lett not Cashell come over. The more excpectation which 1076 leaveth behynd him o returne the better construction wilbe made of his departure.

Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury (age 36).

In February 1601 William Herbert 3rd Earl Pembroke (age 20) was sent to Fleet Prison [Map] for refusing to marry Mary Fitton (age 22) when she became pregnant.

In March 1601 Mary Fitton (age 22) gave birth to a boy who died soon after birth.

After March 1601 Mary Fitton (age 22) began and affair with Admiral Richard Leveson (age 31) with whom she had two daughters.

After 1605 Mary Fitton (age 26) commenced an affair with [her future husband] Captain William Polwhele one of Admiral Richard Leveson's (age 35) officers.

In 4th March 1606 [her father] Edward Fitton (age 58) died. On 5th February 1627 [her mother] Alice Holcroft (age 66) died. Monument at Church of St James, Gawsworth [Map]. The monument originally stood against the east wall, away from the north wall, with the kneeling figures of the children at each corner. Sir Edward's effigy is lost and there is no record when it was last in situ at Gawsworth. Note the remodelled head of the second son, Richard.

Stuart Hooded Monument.

Alice Holcroft: In 1540 she was born to John Holcroft. In or before 1572 Edward Fitton and she were married.

Around 1607 Captain William Polwhele and Mary Fitton (age 28) were married.

In 1610 [her husband] Captain William Polwhele died.

After 1610 John Lougher and Mary Fitton (age 31) were married.

On 8th January 1636 [her husband] John Lougher died.

In 1647 Mary Fitton (age 68) died.