Mary Sidney Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, is recognised as one of the first significant women writers in the English language. She was born in 1561 to a noble family with close ties to Queen Elizabeth I, and as a result was very well educated in language and literature. At the age of 16 she married Henry Herbert, one of the wealthiest landowners in Britain, and moved to his Wilton country estate in Salisbury. She maintained a close relationship with her parents and siblings, especially her brother, Phillip. They frequently visited her at Wilton.

When Phillip Sidney died in 1586, Herbert mourned for two years at Wilton. She became a literary patron to honour him, adopting his role as translator and poet. By carrying her brother’s torch, Herbert became the first non-royal woman in England to receive a significant number of dedications.

During her era, Herbert was valued as a key literary figure. Writers such as John Donne and her niece Mary Wroth (and even Shakespeare himself!) celebrated and took inspiration from her works. She is slowly making her way back into the literary canon.

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