Blanche Parry
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Blanche Parry (c. 1508-1596) was a personal attendant to Queen Elizabeth I of England.
Blanche came from a prominent family of Newcourt, Bacton, Herefordshire. Probably a Welsh speaker, she is thought to have attended Elizabeth from childhood and to have gone with her to the Tower of London before she came to the throne. After Elizabeth's accession, Blanche was promoted to Chief Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber. In 1565 she was appointed keeper of the queen's books and jewels. Amongst the material rewards Blanche received from Elizabeth was Llangorse Lake.
Blanche may have been related to Sir Thomas Parry, another faithful servant of the queen. Her niece, Eleanor (Whitney) Bull, owned the establishment where Christopher Marlowe was murdered in 1593. She is also said to have been related to Dr John Dee, and she practised palmistry.
A memorial effigy of Blanche serving the queen can be seen at Bacton Church, but she was buried in St Margaret's Church, Westminster.
