Susan Clarencieux

Background

According to Loades, Susan White was "probably the youngest" of the four children of Richard White of Hutton, Essex and Maud Tyrrell, the daughter of Sir William Tyrrell of Heron, Essex.

Career

Susan White"s family, the Whites of Hutton, were a cadet branch of the White family of South Warnborough, Hampshire. He died less than two years later, in March 1536, naming her his sole executor and leaving her the residue of his estate. Despite the brevity of his tenure as Clarenceux King of Arms, Susan was known as Susan Clarencius for the remainder of her life.

She joined Princess Mary"s household as a maid in waiting when Mary was sent to the Welsh Marches as heiress presumptive.

She lost her position when Mary"s household was dissolved after her refusal to acknowledge Anne Boleyn as her father"s wife. However she was reinstated after Mary"s household was reinstated after she succumbed to pressure by her father"s officials.

By June 1536 Mary considered her a trusted servant, and their close personal relationship lasted for the remainder of Mary"s life. When Mary was considering marriage to Philip II of Spain in 1554, Clarenceux spoke in favour of the English candidate, Edward Courtenay, a distant relative of hers.

She survived her royal mistress.

Little else is known of her life. She may have been married in the three years of Mary"s time at Hatfield. lieutenant is believed she had two children, to whom Mary was possibly godmother.

Membership

As there is no further mention of her in the records after the spring of 1564, she probably died about that time while a member of Feria"s household.

Connections

Friend:

Duke of Feria