The Nethersoles
Although Lord of the Manor of Polesworth, the second Sir Henry Goodere had his principal residence at Monks Kirby, next to the Fosse Way, not far from Rugby. It was here that his eldest daughter, Lucy, was born. In 1627, Lucy inherited Polesworth Hall.
Little is known of Lucy's early life at Monks Kirby. Princess Elizabeth, the daughter of King James I, was raised at nearby Coombe Abbey at around the same time and it is possible that the two girls knew each other and played together.
In 1619, Lucy married Francis Nethersole, the son of a wealthy Kent family. In June of that year, Lord Doncaster, Ambassador to the German States, wrote directly to James I, requesting that Francis Nethersole be appointed as his secretary. In September, the recently knighted Sir Francis Nethersole took up his new position, possibly taking Lucy with him. His work for Lord Doncaster involved acting as a trusted messenger, carrying communiqués from the Ambassador to London and other European capitals.
At the same time, Sir Francis was also granted an honorary position at the court of the Electress Palatine, Princess Elizabeth. Elizabeth had married Frederick V, the Elector of Upper Palatine (located in Bavaria), in 1613. In 1618, Frederick was crowned king of Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic) and moved his court there around that time.
This must have seemed an auspicious start to Lucy and Sir Francis' marriage. The following years were not to be peaceful ones, however.
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