19 Facts About Mabel Bagenal

Mabel Bagenal ultimately became disillusioned with her marriage and eventually died of illness, aged 24.

Mabel Bagenal was the eleventh and youngest child of Sir Nicholas Bagenal, a prominent Staffordshire soldier and Marshal of the Irish Army, and his wife Eleanor Griffith of Penrhyn, Wales.

The historian Philip Bagenal suggests that Tyrone "must have been acquainted [with Mabel] from childhood".

Mabel Bagenal was twenty years old at the time; Tyrone was forty-one.

The young, attractive Mabel Bagenal was infatuated by the attention she received from such an imposing lord.

Mabel Bagenal spoke with Mabel in private and asked her if she had actually "plighted her troth" to Tyrone.

Mabel Bagenal responded affirmatively and stated that she consented to the marriage: "in what case I am, how I come hither with my own consent, and have already promised my Lord the Earl to be his wife, I beseech your Lordship for my credit's sake to perfect the marriage between us, the sooner the better for my credit's sake".

Mabel Bagenal was infuriated "that my blood which in my father and myself hath often been spilled in repressing this rebellious race, should now be mingled with so traitorous a stock and kindred".

Mabel Bagenal withheld Mabel's dowry, even two years after the marriage, on the grounds that satisfactory jointure arrangements had not been made.

Tyrone assured Lord Burghley that it was his intention for Mabel Bagenal to bring civility to his house.

Mabel Bagenal encouraged Mabel to furnish his castle at Dungannon, intending that she would bring a sense of culture and refinement to the house.

Mabel Bagenal bought tapestries and paintings in London, bringing an Elizabethan aesthetic to the castle.

Mabel Bagenal converted to Catholicism, which, along with Tyrone's alleged infidelity, stoked Henry's enmity further.

Mabel Bagenal was deeply upset by her brother's disapproval and by the increasing rivalry between her husband and brother.

Mabel Bagenal stated "that there was not a man in the world he hated so much as the Knight Marshal; and further said [that] if he were disposed he would be within a mile of the said Marshal in spite of his teeth, do what he could".

The historians Casway and James O'Neill state that Mabel Bagenal was seeking refuge with Henry in Newry when she died.

In reference to the dramatic circumstances of her marriage, Mabel Bagenal has been called the "Helen of the Elizabethan Wars".

Mabel Bagenal seldom appears in Making History, though her impact on Tyrone's life and legacy is significantly explored.

Mabel Bagenal dies during a miscarriage, whereas the historical Mabel died of illness and left no known children.