Lady Anne Twysden (néeFinch; 28 February 1574 – 14 October 1638) was an English writer. She was the mother of several notable children but she is known principally for one book, the original of which is lost.
Anne learned four languages as a child at the court of Queen Elizabeth whilst in the care of her grandmother Elizabeth (born Heneage).[2]
Career
She had her own ladies-in-waiting which included the diarist Isabella Saunders and Jane Thomlinson; she married these off respectively to her son Roger in 1635 and to another son Thomas in 1639. She had two houses at East Peckham and Redcross Street in London.[3] Details of her life are recorded in the extant diary of her daughter-in-law Isabella.[4]
Her children had to persuade her to pay Charles I's Ship money which she objected to.[3] She wrote a book of devotions that was edited and published by her son Roger. Her son's notes show that this was published after her death in 1638. The Twysden papers and two of her letters are held by the British Library. Twysden's original copy of her devotions was known to have existed until 1849 but it is now lost.[5]
Personal life
Anne married William Twysden who was made a baronet.[1] Before his death in 1629, they had had five sons and two daughters, including:
