ISBN: ISBN-10 : 103614237X
Queen Elizabeth I's Governess: The Real Kat Ashley
Aug. 30, 2026The 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 Astley served loyally during dangerous and uncertain times, enduring several spells of imprisonment. Her death, after a brief illness in July 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 not from an obscure background in rural Devon, as is sometimes claimed. Her family ties placed her amongst influential figures close to the royal court and amongst scholars, humanist thinkers, and advocates of religious reform.
Focussing on Thomas Seymour’s inappropriate behaviour towards Elizabeth, while she was in his wife, Catherine Parr’s household, has led historians to conclude that Katherine Astley showed poor judgement. Fictional portrayals and on-screen depictions often show Elizabeth’s governess as a gossipy, middle-aged nanny.
This biography offers a fresh perspective on Katherine’s significance in Elizabeth’s youth, separating fact from opinion, and challenging traditional interpretations to produce a believable picture of the woman Queen Elizabeth I valued so highly.
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Reviews
Essential reading for anyone interested in the fraught early life of England’s greatest Queen.
Dr. Elizabeth Norton
Katherine Ashley was arguably the most important person in the young Elizabeth I’s life, serving as a mother-figure, teacher, friend and confidant.
It is wonderful to see ‘Queen Elizabeth I’s Governess’ focus on her life, bringing her back into the heart of the story of Elizabeth’s early life. Often written off as a foolish or unwise figure, Rosemary Griggs uses her extensive research to rehabilitate her.
Providing a picture of an intellectual and highly political woman, ‘Queen Elizabeth I’s Governess’ is essential reading for anyone interested in the fraught early life of England’s greatest Queen.
See more“Queen Elizabeth I’s Governess: The Real Kat Ashley.”
Heidi Malagasi - Adventures of a Truodr Nerd
(Review of advance copy received from Publisher. NB: the tile and Subtitle changed after the advance copy was sent out.)
When we think about monarchs, we tend to think about a central person who ruled alone or with someone they married. We tend to forget that behind the monarchy is an entire village of people supporting them in this endeavor. For the most part, they were loyal to the crown, not necessarily to whoever wore it. Yet, there are some whose loyalty to a particular monarch extended far before their coronation. Take, for example, the story of Kate Ashley, …
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Tommy Riches
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
August 13, 2026
Review first published https://tonyriches.blogspot.com/2026/08/book-review-queen-elizabeth-is.html
Some of the most intriguing people in Tudor history are those who stood outside the spotlight. Katherine 'Kat' or Kate Ashley is one of these. Best known as the governess and confidante of Queen Elizabeth I, she played a pivotal role in the future queen's life, yet is overshadowed by more famous figures around her. In Queen Elizabeth I's Governess: The Real Kat Ashley, Rosemary Griggs sets out to change that with a thoroughly researched and engaging biography.
I particularly liked the extracts from letters …
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Sandra Gulland via Substack
‘I've had the great honour of reading a pre-publication copy of this amazing work of in-depth research. It forever changed my view of "Kate." HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!’
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