Frances Walsingham
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Frances Walsingham (1569 - February 13, 1631) was the only daughter of Sir Francis Walsingham, spymaster for Queen Elizabeth I. A lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth, she married Philip Sidney in 1583; although he died three years later in 1586. In 1590 Frances’ father also died and she was left with an annuity of £300.
In 1590 Frances married again, to Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, a match which caused great displeasure to the Queen. Robert was executed in 1601 after participating in an attempted coup against the Queen. Frances had three children with her second husband, these were named Frances, Robert and Dorothy. Robert became the third Earl of Essex.
