Mary Fitton
Mary Fitton | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Mary Fitton circa 1595 | |
| Born | June 1578 Gawsworth, Cheshire |
| Died | 1641 (aged 62–63) Tettenhall, Staffs |
| Spouse(s) |
William Polwhele
(m. 1606–1609)John Lougher (m. 1612–1636) |
| Children | Anne Leveson Charnock, William Polwhele, Mary Polwhele Gatacre, Elizabeth Lougher, John Lougher, Lettice Lougher Denton (Dainton) |
| Parent(s) | Sir Edward Fitton Alice Halcroft |
Mary Fitton (or Fytton or Phytton) (baptised 25 June 1578 – 19 December 1641) was an Elizabethan gentlewoman who became a maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth. She is noted for her scandalous affairs with William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Leveson, and others. She is considered by some to be the "Dark Lady" of Shakespeare's sonnets.