Anne Stanhope (1497 - April 16 1587), was the daughter of Sir Edward Stanhope and Elizabeth Bourchier. She married Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, who was brother in law to Henry VIII by his sister Jane Seymour, and became the Dutchess of Somerset. She was a great friend of Princess Mary and Jane Seymour. She had nine children while married to Edward.
After Henry VIII's death Edward acted as King in all but name. With this power Anne considered herself the first lady of the realm, claiming precedence over Katharine Parr, Henry VIII's widow. He managed to free himself from the restrictions of the council and wielded almost royal authority in effecting major Protestant reforms in the church and in relaxing such measures as the heresy and treason laws. He was convicted in 1552 on a trumped-up charge of high treason and felony. At his trial, 1 Dec, he was found guilty of the latter only, but was beheaded, 22 Jan 1551/2, on Tower Hill, and buried there in the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula.
Anne has been described as a "violent woman" and was held responsible for the fate of Edward Seymour through having urged him to adopt a ruinous policy.
She later remarried to Francis Newdigate of Hansworth, who was Steward to her late husband. He died Jan 26, 1581. She lived out the rest of her life at Shelford and died on April 16 1587, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
