Mary Radcliffe

Mary Radcliffe or Ratcliffe (1550-1617) was a courtier of Queen Elizabeth I of England. Radcliffe was born around 1550 in Elstow, Bedfordshire, one of four daughters and two sons of landowner and Member of Parliament Sir Humphrey Radcliffe and his wife Isabella Harvey. Life at court She became a Maid of Honour at court in 1561. Her father, Humphrey Radcliffe, is said to have "presented" her to Elizabeth on 1 January 1561 as if she were a New Year's Day gift. She is sometimes confused with her younger cousin, another maid of honour, Margaret Ratcliffe (d. 1599), since both were known as "Mistress Radcliffe". She had a stipend or wage of £40 yearly. In November 1565 she and the other maids were given gowns made by the queen's tailor Walter Fyshe of yellow satin with green velvet edges and chevrons, with silver lace, for the wedding of Ambrose, Earl of Warwick and Anne Russell. Similarly, in 1572 she and ten other maids and ladies of the chamber were given identical gowns made from crimson velvet, blue taffeta, with watchet blue silk lace.