Bridget Manners

Lady Bridget Manners (died 1604) was an English courtier, a maid of honour at the court of Elizabeth I. She was the eldest daughter of John Manners, 4th Earl of Rutland (died 1588), and his wife Elizabeth Charlton. Court of Elizabeth I Bridget entered the service of Elizabeth I in 1589 under the tutelage of Bridget Hussey, Countess of Bedford, and Lady Talbot. Her mother sent the Countess of Bedford £200 to dress her in suitable fashionable clothes for court. Her uncle, Roger Manners of Uffington, a "squire of the body" at court, made some of the arrangements for Bridget to join the royal household after her father's death. This Roger Manners wrote her a letter of advice on behaviour and decorum. Her brother, Roger Manners, who was now the Earl of Rutland, confirmed their uncle's "good advice". Another woman in the queen's household, who looked after the queen's jewels, Mary Radcliffe, was a relation. Bridget quickly became one of the Queen's favorites and eventually became responsible for her food as the Queen's carver.