Anne Shelton (courtier)

Anne Boleyn, later Lady Shelton was the wife of Sir John Shelton and together they were in charge of the household of Henry VIII's two daughters, Princess Mary and Princess Elizabeth from 1533. Lady Shelton was the sister of Thomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire and thus the aunt of Anne Boleyn.

Anne Shelton was the mother of nine children, including the poet Mary Shelton, a mistress of Henry VIII's, John Shelton and Margaret Shelton. Her husband died in 1539, leaving the family in financial trouble.

"...Lady Anne Boleyn, aunt of Queen Anne Boleyn, governess to Princess Mary, later Queen Mary. When Princess Elizabeth was so persecuted during her sister's (Queen Mary's) reign she fled to Sir John (21st Lord of Shelton) and Lady Shelton for protection. She was later secreted in the tower of Shelton Church when Sir John's mansion was not sufficient protection. When Elizabeth was crowned she summoned Sir John's family to the Palace where his descendants lived during her reign."

"Lady Anne Boleyn Shelton's will proven 1-6-1556."

Children were as follows:

* Margaret Shelton, married Thomas Wodehouse or Woodhouse
* Sir John Shelton, Knt., 22nd Lord of Shelton, died November 1558
* Mary Shelton, firstly married Sir Anthony Heveningham; secondly married Phillip Appleyard and mistress of Henry VIII during 1535 [CSP Spanish, V, pt.2, p.126]
* Sir Ralph Shelton, married Amy Wodehouse or Woodhouse (sister of Thomas Woodhouse, who married Margaret Shelton)
* Thomas Shelton, married Miss Appleyard
* Anne Shelton, firstly married Sir Edmond Knevett, Knt.; secondly married Christopher Coote, Esq.
* Gabriela Shelton, died without issue (dwi)
* Elizabeth Shelton, dwi
* Emma Shelton, dwi

References

*The Sheltons - by Z.F. Shelton of Montgomery, Alabama, Published 1962, P.9.