Queen Elizabeth I's Governess: The Real Kat Ashley

The name ‘Kat Ashley’, Queen Elizabeth’s ‘Governess’, is well-known to fans of Tudor history.Katherine Champernowne, later John Astley’s wife, joined Elizabeth’s household before the future queen turned three.Later she became Elizabeth’s ‘governess’, trusted with the upbringing of the King’s younger daughter.Formidably well-educated for a woman of her time, reports suggest Katherine did an excellent job.When Elizabeth came to the throne, one of her first actions was to name Katherine as Chief Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber, a highly influential position within the court of a female monarch. Over nearly three decades, the two women developed an unshakeable bond.Katherine served loyally during dangerous and uncertain times, enduring several spells of imprisonment.Her death in 1565, left the Queen devastated. Despite this, Katherine’s true character remains largely unknown.There has even been widespread confusion about her identity and parentage.Yet the clues are there. Katherine was no