Death of Helena Snakenborg, Marchioness of Northampton – Maid of Honour to Elizabeth I
Born in Sweden around 1549, Helena was the daughter of Ulf Henrikson Snakenborg, member of an old Swedish baronial family, and Agneta Knutson.
Helena’s parents enjoyed considerable standing in Sweden.
Their marriage five years earlier had been held at Stockholm Castle, in the presence of the king and queen.
By the mid-1560s their daughter Helena was a maid of honour to Princess Cecilia, sister to the then king of Sweden, Eric XIV.
In September 1565, 16 year old Helena accompanied Princess Cecilia on a fruitless mission to England – to persuade Queen Elizabeth to marry King Eric.
Princess Cecilia and her entourage were lodged at Bedford House, on the Strand, where they were visited by leading members of the English court, including Queen Elizabeth.
Among the regular callers, was 53-year old William Parr, the marquess of Northampton.
William was the brother of Queen Elizabeth’s late stepmother, Queen Katherine Parr.
Helena was a beautiful woman, with large brown eyes, red hair, and a pink and white complexion –
William Parr soon began to take an interest in her.
Despite the age difference William quickly fell in love with Helena.
Before the year was out Helena accepted William’s offer of marriage.
Helena and William married on 6th May 1571, in the Chapel Royal.
Queen Elizabeth attended, and danced at the wedding feast, which was followed by two days of jousting.
However, the marriage proved to be short-lived, as William died just five months later.
William’s demise threatened to spell disaster for Helena, as William had neglected to provide his new wife with a widows jointure.
His entire estate, worth about £1,200 per annum, would go to the crown.
Fortunately for Helena, Queen Elizabeth took pity on the young widow.
Elizabeth not only paid for William’s funeral, but also assigned Helena lands worth £400 a year.
Helena was then admitted to the privy chamber, as one of Elizabeth’s ladies.
She was subsequently granted many privileges, such as her own lodgings at Hampton Court Palace, servants, and even a horse!
Helena then met the man who was soon to become her second husband, Thomas Gorges.
Thirteen years her senior, Thomas was the second cousin of the late Anne Boleyn, and one of the grooms of the privy chamber.
The social gulf between Thomas and Helena, however, was considerable.
It was not known for women of such a high social rank to marry beneath them.
Realizing that Elizabeth would never agree to their marriage, the couple took matters into their own hands….
Sometime in 1576 they Helena and Thomas secretly wed.
When the queen discovered this she was naturally furious.
Helena was banished to Thomas’ house, and Thomas was jailed.
However, Elizabeth’s anger subsided and in July 1578, Elizabeth stood as godmother at the baptism of the couple’s first child, cleverly christened….
Elizabeth.
Helena retained Queen Elizabeth’s favour for the rest of her reign.
When the queen died in March 1603, Helena was given the position of chief mourner in the royal funeral procession.
In the funeral procession, Helena walked close behind the Queen’s coffin.
Following Elizabeth’s death, Helena lost her position at court.
On the death of her husband William in 1610, Helena largely retired from public view.
Helena died at the age of 86 on 10th April 1635.
At her request, Helena was buried alongside ‘my dear and late husband Sir Thomas Gorges’ in Salisbury Cathedral.
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