Frances Shirley

Frances Berkeley, c.1566-1595, was the daughter of Henry, baron Berkeley (November 26, 1534-November 26, 1613) and Catherine Howard (1539-April 7, 1596). A marriage was proposed for her with one of the sons of Sir Henry Sidney, but her mother refused to allow the match because he was a nephew of Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester and there was enmity between Leicester and Lady Berkeley's brother, the 4th duke of Norfolk. In 1587, Frances married Sir George Shirley of Breedon-on-the-Hill, Leicestershire (1559-1622). They had four sons and a daughter, including George (d.yng), Henry (1588-1633), Sir Thomas (1590-1654), and John (d.yng). After Frances died in childbirth, George commissioned a grandiose tomb for her which was completed in 1598. Portrait: tomb effigy in St. Mary and St. Hardulph, Breedon-on-the-Hill.