Elizabeth Carew

Who is Elizabeth Carew?

Elizabeth, Lady Carew, born Elizabeth Bryan, was an English courtier and reputed mistress of King Henry VIII. A daughter of Sir Thomas Bryan and Margaret Bourchier, Elizabeth became the wife of Henry VIII's close friend Sir Nicholas Carew, an influential statesman who was eventually executed for his alleged involvement in the Exeter Conspiracy. Her brother, Sir Francis, was a member of the Privy Chamber and one of the king's closest friends was responsible for sitting in the jury that convicted his sister's husband to death and reduced her to penury.