Queen Elizabeth I's Governess

The name ‘Kat Ashley’, Queen Elizabeth’s‘Governess’, is well-known to fans of Tudorhistory. Katherine Champernowne, later JohnAstley’s wife, joined Elizabeth’s householdbefore the future queen turned three. Later shebecame Elizabeth’s ‘governess’, trusted withthe upbringing of the King’s younger daughter.Formidably well-educated for a woman of hertime, reports suggest Katherine did an excellentjob. When Elizabeth came to the throne, oneof her first actions was to name Katherine asChief Gentlewoman of the Bedchamber, a highlyinfluential position within the court of a femalemonarch. Over nearly three decades, the two womendeveloped an unshakeable bond. KatherineAstley served loyally during dangerous anduncertain times, enduring several spells ofimprisonment. Her death, after a brief illnessin July 1565, left the Queen devastated. Despitethis, Katherine’s true character remains largelyunknown. There has even been widespreadconfusion about her identity and parentage.Yet the clues are there. Katherine was not froman obscure background in rural Devon, as issometimes claimed. Her family ties placed heramongst influential figures close to the royalcourt and amongst scholars, humanist thinkers,and advocates of religious reform. Focussing on Thomas Seymour’s inappropriatebehaviour towards Elizabeth while she was inthe household of his wife, Catherine Parr, hasled historians to conclude that Katherine Astleyshowed poor judgement. Fictional portrayalsand on-screen depictions often show Elizabeth’sgoverness as a gossipy, middle-aged nanny. This biography offers a fresh perspective onKatherine’s significance in Elizabeth’s youth,and challenges traditional interpretations toproduce a believable picture of the womanQueen Elizabeth I valued so highly.