Lady Eleanor of Lancaster

Born in January 1332 and the 2nd Child of Sir Richard De Mutton. The Eldest son Edward De Mutton was born 1328, 2nd son Thomas was born 1335 and died 1345 aged 10 of the Black Death and William was born 1338 by his wife Anne, Daughter of John De Grey.

Lady Eleanor was well educated in the ways of court although very spirited, always looking for adventure and quite often led astray by her brothers.

After the death of her Brother Thomas and her mother Anne, Eloise was quite often found in her father's company listening to tales of battles and jousts, which left her hungry for adventure.

Her father being a practical man realised that Eleanor was in need of a mother figure and so brought Isabeth de Warren into his home to be companion and Lady in Waiting to Eleanor in the hope that she would settle from her longing for adventure.

Eleanor was brought up by Isabeth to behave in a more gentile and suitable manner, however having an interest in everyone and everything around her Eleanor met Deannah Trollope the daughter of the household cook.

Deannah taught her a few lessons that Isabeth did not expect and using her charms Deannah was able to persuade the sergeant at arms to teach Eleanor to fight as good as any of his men. A skill which was kept secret.

Eleanor’s station in life meant she would be married into a well positioned family to aid her lord in the running of his estates. A quiet life she dreaded and the thought of such a marriage made her feel like a caged bird.

Then came the day a knight newly returned from France, Sir John of Lancaster with his two daughters whom he was to leave in the care of Sir Richard De Mutton (an old family friend of Sir John’s) after the Black Death took his first wife. The girls were to be left in the care of Eleanor’s father and were to take lessons in etiquette from Lady Isabeth.

Sir John Spent several weeks at the De Mutton Estate making sure his young girls would settle into their new routine and Lady Eleanor’s spiritedness caught his eye.

Eleanor had heard of Sir Johns reputation and wasn’t sure what to make of this knight when she came face to face with a man who had so much adoration for his children.

Lady Eleanor and Sir John spent many hours talking and walking in the grounds of Crècy.

Eleanor become close to sir Johns daughters and helped Lady Isabeth to educate them. Sir John made regular visits back to see his daughters, which soon became an excuse to visit Lady Eleanor as well.

Lady Eleanor had several suitors but were all scared off by her spirited wild ways so in 1349 on one of his return journeys Sir John of Lancaster spoke to Eleanor’s father of a match between them and it was understood that providing Eleanor was agreeable to this they would become betrothed.

Sir Richard being aware of his daughter’s spiritedness was not sure of Eleanor’s reaction but was soon reassured when Eleanor persuaded her father that she had deep affection for Sir John. Sir Richard wrote to Sir John with the good news of this and she was promised to this wealthy knight.

On Sir John's return they were married, which was a cause for great celebrations by the rich and poor as Eleanor was popular with the local people.

In 1357 Sir John and Eleanor along with their retinue left one of his estates in Huntingdon, to travel the length and breadth of the country holding tournaments to find those worthy enough to join the Black Prince's army.

As a child Eleanor had often trained with the young squires learning sword skills and watching tournaments and practising in secret made Eleanor become an adept swords woman and often fought at tournaments incognito.

With her Eleanor took Deannah Trollope the cook’s daughter, as Sir John needed a cook in the encampment and Deannah knew plenty of recipes. Deannah and Eleanor had become firm friends and were often in getting into to trouble as Deannah taught her things a lady should not be aware of.

Once Eleanor was settled into married life Isabeth spent many months trying to find a new lady in waiting to watch over Eleanor while she pursued her interest in Scottish history which included the armourer Hamish who although was below her station in life she was unable to resist.

Isabeth found a suitable lady in Reina Quaife, who would be companion and lady in waiting to Eleanor but who soon became embroiled in the plots of Eleanor and Deannah and helped to cover up while Eleanor was away fighting.