Anne Herbert

Anne Herbert (Parr), 15 June 1515–20 February 1552, Countess of Pembroke, Baroness Herbert of Cardiff, was the younger sister of Catherine Parr, Henry VIII’s last wife. She also holds the memorable distinction of being a lady in waiting to all six of Henry’s wives.

Anne was the youngest surviving of the five children born to Sir Thomas Parr and his wife Maud Green. When Anne was only two, her father died of the sweating sickness, leaving their pregnant mother with the difficult task of raising her children alone and guarding their inheritance. Maud was a lady-in-waiting to Katherine of Aragon and a close confidante; she was also responsible for the Royal School, where Anne and other children of the court nobility were educated. The Parr children had been well educated, and Maud followed the approach of Sir Thomas Moore, educating boys and girls in the same way together.

In 1528, when Anne would have been about 13, Maud brought her to court as maid-of-honour to Queen Catherine of Aragon, a position she also filled when Anne Boleyn became queen. Anne was one of Queen Anne’s most ardent supporters; she was in awe of the Queen and quickly became one of Anne Boleyn’s most devoted followers and staunch Reformists. Despite being desolate at the execution of her mistress, she stayed on at court in the service of the new queen, Jane Seymour. She was one of the few people present at the baptism of Prince Edward in 1537.

When Henry’s 4th queen, Anne of Cleves, came to court, Anne was once again maid-of-honour, a role she continued to serve in when Catherine Howard was made queen. When Catherine was arrested for treason, it was Anne who was entrusted with the safekeeping of the Queen’s Jewels.

In February 1538, Anne married Sir William Herbert, Esquire of the King's Body. She most likely met her husband at court, but it is unknown if the marriage was a love match. The Herberts were in King Henry’s favour, and he bestowed upon them several royal grants. The marriage produced three children: two sons, Henry (who succeeded his father), Edward, and a daughter Anne.

Anne was a witness to the wedding ceremony of her sister, Catherine, to King Henry VIII in July 1543.

Anne was her sister's chief lady-in-waiting, and the sisters were close. Anne was also part of the clique of Protestants who surrounded the new queen.

Anne died on February 20, 1552. At the time of her death, she was one of the ladies of the future Queen Mary I. Anne was buried on February 28, 1552, in the Old St. Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. The inscription on her tomb reads, "A most faithful wife, a woman of the greatest piety and discretion".

Portrait thought to be of Anne Herbert

Sources:

Catherine Parr: Henry VIII's Last Love, Susan E. James

The Thames, Sir Walter Besant, p. 84–87

Katherine the Queen, Linda Porter

Queen Katherine Parr, Anthony Martienssen ,p.21

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