Anne Newdigate (1574–1618)

Anne Newdigate
AnneNewdigate in 1592
Born	1574
Died	1618
Known for	Correspondence

Anne Newdigate or née Anne Fitton, (1574 – 1618) was an Anne, Lady Newdigate (1574–1618), gentlewoman and letter writer. Many of her letters have survived including those concerning her scandalous sister Mary Fitton which help to explain whether Mary was Shakespeare's "Dark Lady"

Anne Fitton was the daughter of Lady Alice and Sir Edward Fitton. She learnt how to write and she married John Newdigate when he was sixteen and she was twelve. This was before he went to Brasenose College. They had impressive relatives but their finances were never up their ambitions. Anne is credited with keeping their finances solvent.

For many years they lived on her father's money, especially whilst her husband was at college where she lived at her parents house. In 1592 she and her sister Mary Fitton sat for an oil painting together. In 1595 the couple moved to a house that her father in law had bought in the 1580s. They lived at Arbury near Nuneaton with an income of 300 to 400 pounds a year. Anne Newdigate had five children of which the eldest was Mary (1598–1643). The eldest son John Newdigate (1600–1642) was his father's heir whereas Richard Newdigate was also ??? (1602–1678). The last two were daughters - Lettice (1604–1625), and Anne (1607–1637). Anne could have been excluded from society after moving to Arbury but she was a keen correspondent.

The families connections included: Sir William Knollys who was the Earl of Bedford and the Lord Chamberlain of the Household), Vice Admiral Sir Richard Leveson; Sir John Tonstal who was gentleman of the bedchamber; Lettice, Lady Paget; and Elizabeth, Lady Grey. All of these were godparents to her children.

William Knollys was godparent to her daughter who was named Mary. Knollys was besotted with Anne's sister Mary and he wrote several letters to Anne explaining his interest. Knolly's was not only married but he had agreed to serve as a protector to Anne when she went to court and he broke that trust. Anne's account books and the letters she wrote reveal as the financial manager and the respect that she was given by her peers. Francis Beaumont of Bedworth noted her skills as a correspondent and she exchanged news and views with Lady Lucy Percy; Sir Fulke Greville, Lady Margaret Hoby; Lady Grey; and Elizabeth and Lady Ashburnham. Her sister Mary was at the centre of court gossip in her unwanted attention s of ???? and her sister's lover Sir Richard Leveson and another of Anne's children's godparent's manoeuvred on Anne's behalf. He tried unsuccessfully to get Anne the position of Royal wet-nurse.