Elizabeth (Tanfield) Cary was born in 1585, was the only child of Judge Sir Lawrence Tanfield (Weller), and was provided a strict but extensive education (Krontiris). Cary’s life was characterized by her constant struggle between the pressures of conformity and submission and an inner imperative to resist and challenge authority. Societal expectations of women at this time were that women were to be nominally educated, if at all. Women were to be quiet and meek, to be subservient to men in all regards, to be used as an asset when arranging marriages. Women were to be a beautiful ornament on the arm of their husband in society, to bear and raise his children, and were expected to have no thoughts or opinions on matters of politics or religion. Women had no power to choose their own futures, and were at the mercy of their pare

Her interest in Catholicism began as early as 1605, bringing her into direct conflict with her husband who was serving as Lord Deputy of Ireland at the time and was a staunch Protestant. This conflict reached a head in Ireland where she witnessed his cruel suppression of Catholics, bringing her to make an open conversion to Catholicism in 1625. Her husband dismissed her back to England, had her placed under house arrest, and tried to take custody of the children (Krontiris). Her conversion, in addition to causing her great marital strife, also caused her to be isolated, attacked, cast off by husband and family, and in acute financial distress. Ultimately she brought six of her children to Catholicism, spiriting two sons’ abroad to receive a Jesuit education, and leading four daughters to join a convent (Beilin).

She has also been credited with writing The History of the Life, Reign and Death of Edward II (c.1627-8), translating from French The Reply of Cardinal du Perron to James I (1630), as well as religious verses and translated classical texts, although none survive (Krontiris). If she did write The History, she is the first Englishwoman to write a full-scale history (Abrams and Greenblatt).

nts in regards to education, and the choice of a spouse. Although Cary was raised within this environment, s

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