Bridget was born in 1565, the eldest daughter (and eventual heiress) of Francis Willoughby and Elizabeth Lyttelton.[1] Her childhood is likely to have been affected by her parents' tempestuous marriage, and they separated in the late 1570s.
After her only brother died young in 1580, Bridget's father arranged for her to marry her second cousin Percival Willoughby in 1583, and estates including Wollaton and Middleton were settled on them. When they inherited Francis's estate in 1596, it came with many debts.[2]
Bridget died on 16 July 1629 and was buried at Wollaton.[1] A 'modest alabaster tablet' in the church commemorates her and her husband:[3]
Perci } Wylluhby qui ob.Aug.23.1643
Bridg } qua obuit July.16.1629
Toro } coiure inuno.
Tumulo }
Duplici coniuncti connubio
Ignoscat illis omnia.
Qui nostra tulit crimina.
Family correspondence and relationships
Surviving correspondence preserved in Gell family records from Bridget to her daughter Elizabeth Gell confirms family relationships, and also that Bridget was an attentive mother to her unwell adult daughter.
4 Oct 1614 - Bridget Wyllughbye to Elizabeth Gell - has sent the bearer to know how Elizabeth is - has sent a chair which she ordinarily used - hopes she will be a glad mother - has sent 3 couple of conies and some peaches.[4]
19 Jan 1614/15 - Bridget Wyllughbye at Wollaton to her daughter Elizabeth Gell - would be glad to see her for 3 or 4 days and will send for her Saturday next.[5]
1 Jun 1625 - Bridget Wyllughby, Wollaton to wife of John Gell - it is her desire if she could come over this Whitsuntide to be a party with her son Harrie in making a Christian soul of a daughter born to her son Edward's wife - if she wants a horse, writer will send one.[6]
↑ Smith, R. S. 2014 "Willoughby, Sir Francis (1546/7–1596), coalowner and industrialist." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. 17 Oct. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/49827
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Biography of Sir Percival Willoughby (d 1643)