Elizabeth Hoby

Elizabeth Russell, Lady Russell, née Elizabeth Cooke, Elizabeth Hoby in her first marriage, (1528 – 1609) was an English noblewoman. She was an influential member of Queen Elizabeth I's court and was known in her time for her refined poetry as well as her musical talent. In 1596, she was a vocal opponent of the reconstruction of Blackfriars Theatre in that London district.

She was born at Gidea Hall, Essex, the third daughter of Anthony Cooke, who was tutor to Edward VI. Cooke educated his four daughters to a high level for his day. Elizabeth's sister Anne Bacon became a notable scholar. Elizabeth was proficient in Latin and French.

Elizabeth's first marriage was on 27 June 1558, to Thomas Hoby, of Bisham Abbey, Berkshire, noted as the translator of Baldassare Castiglione's The Book of the Courtier into English. In March 1566 he was knighted and became the English ambassador to France. The couple moved to Paris. Thomas died there in July. Elizabeth received a touching letter of condolence from Queen Elizabeth I.

Elizabeth had four children by Thomas Hoby: Edward (1560–1617), two girls who both died in childhood in 1571, and then another boy born after Thomas's death who was called Thomas Posthumus (1566–1640). She built a memorial chapel to her deceased husband in Bisham parish church Berkshire.

She was married again in 1574, to John, Lord Russell (d. 1584), eldest son and heir to Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford. She had two daughters by this second marriage, Anne and Elizabeth. A legend says she also had a son whom she so mistreated because of his slowness at lessons and blotting his copy-books that he died, but this cannot be verified. The legend claims her repentant ghost haunts Bisham Abbey. John Russell's death in 1584, before that of his father, robbed her of the possibility of becoming the countess of Bedford.

...
Wikipedia