Biography of Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill 1566-1605

Paternal Family Tree: Knyvet

Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Stumpe

Around 1566 Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill was born to [her father] Henry Knyvet (age 26) and [her mother] Elizabeth Stumpe at Charlton-All-Saints, Wiltshire [Map].

In November 1605 Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill died.

Before 1580 [her brother-in-law] Richard Rich and [her sister] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 15) were married.

Before 1582 [her brother-in-law] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 20) and [her sister] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 17) were married. She by marriage Baroness Audley Walden in Essex. He the son of Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk and Margaret Audley Duchess Norfolk. They were third cousins.

Around 1584 [her brother-in-law] Thomas Clinton 3rd Earl Lincoln (age 13) and [her sister] Elizabeth Knyvet Countess Lincoln (age 6) were married. He the son of Henry Clinton 2nd Earl Lincoln (age 42) and Catherine Hastings Countess Lincoln (age 41). They were half sixth cousins.

In 1597 [her brother-in-law] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 35) was created 1st Baron Howard de Walden by writ of summons. [her sister] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 33) by marriage Baroness Howard de Walden. His mother's father was the first and last Baron Audley Walden in Essex.

On 14th June 1598 [her father] Henry Knyvet (age 58) died.

In 1599 [her sister] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 35) was appointed Keeper of the Jewels to Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland (age 24).

On 6th May 1602 Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland (age 24) and Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill (age 36) were married. He the son of John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland.

After 6th May 1602 [her daughter] Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham was born to [her husband] Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland (age 24) and Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill (age 36). She married (1) 16th May 1620 George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham, son of George Villiers of Brokesby and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham, and had issue (2) 1635 Randall MacDonnell 1st Marquess Antrim, son of Randal "Arranach" Macdonnell 1st Earl Antrim and Alice O'Neill Countess Antrim.

Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes

Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

In 1603 [her brother-in-law] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 41) was created 1st Earl Suffolk. [her sister] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 39) by marriage Countess Suffolk.

Before 6th January 1605 William Bevill and Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill (age 39) were married.

Masque of Blackness

                    On 6th January 1605, Twelfth Night, the Ben Johnson (age 33) Masque of Blackness was performed at the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace [Map]. The performers included:
                
                    Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland (age 30) played Euphoris.
                
                    Lucy Harrington Countess Bedford (age 25) played Aglaia.
                
                    Anne Lady Herbert (age 22) played Diaphane.
                
                    Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby (age 29) played Eucampse.
                
                    [her sister] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 41) played Kathare.
                
                    Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 42) played Ocyte.
                
                    Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill (age 39) played Notis.
                
                    Anne St John Lady Effingham (age 30) played Psychrote.
                
                    [her niece] Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 22) played Glycyte.
                
                    Susan Vere Countess Montgomery (age 17) played Malacia.
                
                    Mary Sidney Lady Wroth (age 18) played Baryte.
                
                    Audrey Shelton Lady Walsingham (age 36) played Periphere.

Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.

Memorials of affairs of state in the reigns of Q Elizabeth and K James I Volume 2. At Night we had the Queen's Maske in the Banqueting-House [Map], or rather her Pagent. There was a great Engine at the lower end of the Room, which had Motion, and in it were the Images of Sea-Horses with other terrible Fishes, which were ridden by Moors: The Indecorum was, that there was all Fish and no Water. At the further end was a great Shell in form of a Skallop,wherein were four Seats; on the lowest sat the Queen (age 30) with my Lady Bedford (age 25); on the left were placed the [her sister] Ladies Suffolk (age 41), Darby (age 29), Rich (age 42), Effingham (age 30), Ann Herbert (age 22), Susan Herbert (age 17), [her niece] Elizabeth Howard (age 22), Walsingham (age 36) and Bevil (age 39). Their Apparell was rich, but too light and Currizan-light for such great ones. Instead of Vizzards, their Faces, and Arms up to the Elbows, were painted black, which was Disguise sufficient, for they were hard to be known; but it became them nothing so well as their red and white, and you cannot imagine a more ugly Sight, then a Troop of lean-cheeked Moors. The Spanish and Venetian Ambassadors were both present, and sate by the King in State; at which Monsieur Beaumont quarrells so extreamly, that he saith the whole Court is Spanish. But by his Favour, he should fall out with none but himself, for they were all indifferently invited to come as private Men, to a private Sport; which he refusing, the Spanish Ambassador willingly accepted, and being there, feeing no Cause to the contrary, he put off Don Taxis, and took upon him El Senor Embaxadour, wherein he outstript our little Monsieur. He was privately at the first Mask, and fate amongst his Men disguised; at this he was taken out to dance, and footed it like a lusty old Gallant with his Country Woman. He took out the Queen, and forgot not to kiss her Hand, though there was Danger it would have left a Mark on his Lips. The Night's Work was concluded with a Banquet in the great Chamber, which was so furioufly assaulted, that down went Table and Tresses before one bit was touched. They say the Duke Holst will come upon us with an after reckoning, and that we shall see him on Candlemas Night in a Mask, as he hath shewed himself a lusty Reveller all this Christmas.