Elizabeth had nine siblings, including Lady Alice FitzHugh and Richard, 6th Baron FitzHugh (c. 1456 – 20 November 1487) who married Elizabeth Burgh, daughter of Sir Thomas Burgh, 1st Baron Burgh of Gainsborough and his wife, Margaret de Ros. Their son, George FitzHugh, inherited the barony but after his death in 1513, the barony fell in abeyance between Elizabeth and her older sister, Alice. This abeyance continues today between the two families.[4]
Elizabeth is said to have had an easy-going and pleasure-loving disposition. After her husband Sir William Parr died in 1483, Elizabeth, who was possibly around twenty-three at the time, was left with four small children. As a widow, Elizabeth's life revolved around the court. Elizabeth served as lady-in-waiting to Richard III's queen consort, her cousin, Anne Neville. Elizabeth would be second in a four generation span of family that would serve England's queens which started in 1483 with her mother, the redoubtable Alice Neville, Lady FitzHugh. Her granddaughter, Anne Parr would continue the tradition by becoming lady-in-waiting to all six of Henry VIII's wives. Even Anne's sister, Katherine Parr, who later became queen served in the household of the Princess Mary until she caught the eye of King Henry.[5]
After the overthrow of the House of York, Elizabeth made a second marriage with a protégé of Margaret Beaufort, Sir Nicholas Vaux (later Baron Vaux), which is reputed to have saved the family fortunes.[5]
Marriages and Issue
She married first Sir William Parr of Kendal, a man maybe 28 years her senior. William was a Knight of the Garter who was held high in favour with King Edward IV, who by marriage was a cousin to him. He fought with the Nevilles on the Yorkist side at the Battle of Edgecote Moor. Elizabeth did not give birth to her first child until she was aged about sixteen.
Elizabeth and William had the following children:
Sir Thomas Parr (c. 1483 – 1517), who was the eldest son, was knighted and was sheriff of Northamptonshire in 1509; he was master of the wards and comptroller to Henry VIII. He was rich, owing to his succeeding, in 1512, to half the estates of his cousin, Lord FitzHugh, and also to his marriage with Maud Green, daughter and coheiress of Sir Thomas Green of Boughton and Greens Norton in Northamptonshire. He died on 12 November 1518 and was buried in the church of the Blackfriars in London. His widow died on 1 September 1532 and was buried beside him. Of their children, Katherine Parr, queen consort of Henry VIII, and, William Parr (afterwards Marquess of Northampton) are well known; while a daughter, Anne, married William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke of the tenth creation.
William Parr, 1st Baron Parr of Horton (c. 1483 – 1547), the second son, was knighted on 25 October 1513,[6] was sheriff of Northamptonshire in 1518 and 1522 and, after his niece Katherine Parr's promotion to queen consort, he became her chamberlain. On 23 December 1543 he was created Baron Parr of Horton, Northamptonshire. He died on 10 September 1547 and was buried at Horton (for his tomb, see Bridges, Northamptonshire, i. 370). By Mary, daughter of Sir William Salisbury, he left four daughters.
John Parr (d. 8 September 1508), married Constance, daughter of Sir Henry Vere of Addington, Surrey. They had no issue.
After the death of Sir William Parr, Elizabeth married Sir Nicholas Vaux as his first wife.[7] Their issue includes:
Katherine Vaux (c. 1490 – c. 1571), married Sir George Throckmorton of Coughton and had issue.
Alice Vaux (d. 1543), married Sir Richard Sapcote c. 1501. They had at least one child, Anne.
