Mary Darcy
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1565
Mary Darcy | |
|---|---|
 "Mary Kytson later Lady Rivers" | |
| Born | Mary Kitson 1565 |
| Died | 1644 (aged 78–79) |
| Known for | her difficult marriage |
| Spouse(s) | Thomas Darcy, 1st Earl Rivers |
| Children | 5 |
| Parent(s) | Elizabeth and Sir Thomas Kitson |
Mary Darcy, Lady Darcy of Chiche born Mary Kitson (1565 – 1644) was the sole heir of Hengrave Hall, near Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk, England. She became the wife of Thomas Darcy, 3rd Baron Darcy of Chiche. They had five children but his suspicions of adultery led to a separation. Her husband would be the first Earl Rivers.
Mary was the only surviving child of Lady Elizabeth and Sir Thomas Kitson of Hengrave Hall. She was also their heir. Her mother had died in childbirth.[1] She inherited her mother's collection of music and her possessions including Hengrave Hall.[2]
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She married Thomas Darcy, third Baron Darcy of Chiche in 1583. Both of the couple had been raised Catholic. Her portrait, now in Tate Britain and previously part of Drue Heinz's collection, shows her in pearls, diamonds and rubies which she received for her marriage. The painting carries the message in French of "never act in haste".[3]
She was a popular figure at the court of Elizabeth I, having beauty and wit. Her husband's task was to inspect the defences on the east coast of England, so he was frequently away. This was a source of his suspicion of her. Her husband felt that she was at least flirting with others, even if not actually committing adultery.[1] She had been quoted making uncomplimentary remarks about him by jealous court rivals and this and her husband's suspicions led to a deed of separation being created in 1594. She had a settlement of £350 per annum. A full-length painting was made of her and in her hand she holds the deed of separation with words "If not, I care not" visible as if to show that she was not heartbroken at the end of her marriage.[1]
Mary, as Countess Rivers, made a will detailing bequests of clothing in 1641, including her taffeta farthingales, "my best cloak and safeguard laid with gold buttons" and an "old safegard laid with gold lace". Her will also lists books including Gerard's Herbal, Treven's Herbal and Wirtzung's Practice of Physicke, equipment for making medicine and her recipe books for physic and preserving.[4]