Biography of Henry Lee of Ditchley 1533-1611

In Mar 1533 Henry Lee of Ditchley was born to Anthony Lee (age 23) and Margaret Wyatt (age 27).

Around 1543 [his mother] Margaret Wyatt (age 37) died.

After 1543 [his father] Anthony Lee (age 33) and [his mother] Margaret Wyatt (deceased) were married.

On 23 May 1548 [his father] Anthony Lee (age 38) and Anne Hassall were married.

On 24 Nov 1549 [his father] Anthony Lee (age 39) died.

On 21 May 1554 Henry Lee of Ditchley (age 21) and Anne Paget were married.

Between 1557 and 1587. Unknown Painter. The Almain Armourers' Album. Armour of Henry Lee of Ditchley (age 23).

Around 1562 Antonis Mor (age 45). Portrait of Henry Lee of Ditchley (age 28).

Around 1567 Unknown Painter. Portrait of Henry Lee of Ditchley (age 33).

Around 1583 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 21). Portrait of Henry Lee of Ditchley (age 49).

In 1583 [his daughter] Mary Lee died.

Before 1590 Anne Vavasour (age 29) became the mistress of Henry Lee of Ditchley (age 56).

On 31 Dec 1590 [his wife] Anne Paget died. She was buried at Grendon Underwood, Aylesbury.

In Sep 1592 Henry Lee of Ditchley (age 59) and Anne Vavasour (age 32) were visisted by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 58) at their home in Ditchley Park, Oxfordshire [Map].

In 1597 Henry Lee of Ditchley (age 63) was appointed 387th Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 63).

On 12 Feb 1611 Henry Lee of Ditchley (age 77) died.

John Evelyn's Diary. 20 Oct 1664. Hence, to see the famous wells, natural and artificial grots and fountains, called Bushell's Wells, at Enstone. This Bushell had been Secretary to my Lord Verulam. It is an extraordinary solitude. There he had two mummies; a grot where he lay in a hammock, like an Indian. Hence, we went to Dichley [Map], an ancient seat of the Lees, now Sir Henry Lee's (age 25); it is a low ancient timber-house, with a pretty bowling-green. My Lady gave us an extraordinary dinner. This gentleman's mother (age 49) was Countess of Rochester, who was also there, and Sir Walter St. John (age 42). There were some pictures of their ancestors, not ill painted; the great-grandfather had been Knight of the Garter [Note. Reference to Henry Lee of Ditchley who was not great-grandfather; he was second-cousin once-removed]; there was a picture of a Pope, and our Savior's head. So we returned to Cornbury.

[his son] John Lee was born to Henry Lee of Ditchley and Anne Paget.

[his son] Henry Lee was born to Henry Lee of Ditchley and Anne Paget.

[his son] Thomas Lee was born to Henry Lee of Ditchley and Anne Vavasour.

[his daughter] Mary Lee was born to Henry Lee of Ditchley and Anne Paget.