Mary Fitton

Mary Fitton (or Fytton) (baptised 24 June 1578 – 1647) was an Elizabethan gentlewoman who became a maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth. She is noted for her scandalous affairs with William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Leveson, and others. She is considered by some to be the "Dark Lady" of Shakespeare's sonnets. Family Fitton was the daughter of Sir Edward Fitton of Gawsworth, Cheshire and Alice Halcroft. She had at least three siblings: her elder sister Anne, who married John Newdigate in 1587 at the age of twelve, and two brothers. One of her brothers was Edward Fitton. Life at court Mary Fitton became a maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth in about 1595. Her father recommended her to the care of Sir William Knollys, Comptroller of the Queen's household. Knollys promised, "I will be as careful of her well doing as if I were her own true father." but Knollys, then fifty years old and married, soon became suitor to Mary Fitton. He wrote of his passion to her sister and even named Mary's niece, whom he was sponsoring as godfather, "Mary". His infatuation was well known and mocked in court.