1. Katherine Ferrers was an English gentlewoman and heiress.
12 Facts About Katherine Ferrers
1. 2.
The Ferrers family were fervent Protestants and great favourites of both Henry VIII and Edward VI; the latter granted them extensive properties in Hertfordshire, including Bayford, Ponsbourne, Agnells, the family mansion at Flamstead, and the manor house of Markyate Cell at Markyate.
3.
Knighton Ferrers died in 1640, and Katherine's grandfather, Sir George Ferrers, died soon after.
4.
Katherine Ferrers's mother died that winter, leaving eight-year-old Katherine in the care of her stepfather.
5.
Katherine Ferrers was then sent to live with Simon's sister, Alice, at Hamerton in Huntingdonshire.
6.
Katherine Ferrers died childless; this could have been due to infertility, or to her husband's continued absence due to war and imprisonment.
7.
Katherine Ferrers had four children by his second wife, Sarah, who was the daughter of Sir John Evelyn and widow of Sir John Wray; the eldest of whom, Evelyn, would become the 3rd Viscount Fanshawe.
8.
However, while it is possible that Katherine Ferrers could have turned to highway robbery, there seems to be no historical proof that her accomplice "Ralph Chaplin", ever existed.
9.
Katherine Ferrers was supposedly caught and executed on Finchley Common either on the night of her death, or soon after, which conveniently serves the legend.
10.
Katherine Ferrers's body was supposedly discovered wearing men's clothing before her servants recovered it and carried her home to be buried.
11.
However, there is a serious inconsistency in this story as there is no record of Katherine Ferrers ever having lived in Markyate Cell, as it was leased to tenants after her father's death.
12.
The legend of Katherine Ferrers was the inspiration behind James Williams' new ghost play, The Wicked Lady, premiering in Birmingham in September 2021.