Elizabeth Raleigh Elizabeth Raleigh Elizabeth, Lady Raleigh ("née" Throckmorton; 16 April 1565 – "circa" 1647) was Sir Walter Raleigh's wife and a Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber to Queen Elizabeth I of England. Their secret marriage precipitated a long period of royal disfavour for both her and her husband. Elizabeth, known also as "Bess", was the daughter of the diplomat Sir Nicholas Throckmorton and Anne Throckmorton ("née" Carew). Bess and her brother Arthur were courtiers to Elizabeth I. Bess is said to have been intelligent, forthright, passionate, and courageous. In due course, she and Raleigh, at least 11 years her senior, fell
Nicholas Throckmorton place and spoke well of him after his death, in spite of their constant disagreements. Some contemporaries also suspected Throckmorton was the "éminence grise" behind Robert Dudley. At the time of his death, Throckmorton held the posts of the keeper of Brigstock Park, Northamptonshire; Justice of the Peace in Northamptonshire; and Chief Butler of England and Wales. London's Throgmorton Street is named after him. Nicholas Throckmorton Sir Nicholas Throckmorton (or Throgmorton) ("circa" 1515/1516 – 12 February 1571) was an English diplomat and politician, who was an ambassador to France and played a key role in the relationship between Elizabeth I