Margaret Wotton, Marchioness of Dorset

Margaret Wotton
Marchioness of Dorset
Sketch of Margaret by Hans Holbein the Younger
Born1485
Died1541
England
Spouse(s)William Medley
Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset
IssueGeorge Medley
Lady Elizabeth Grey
Lady Katherine Grey
Lady Anne Grey
Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk
Lord John Grey
Lord Thomas Grey
Leonard Grey
Lady Mary Grey
FatherSir Robert Wotton
MotherAnne Belknap

Margaret Wotton, Marchioness of Dorset (1485 1541) was the second wife of Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset, and the mother of his children, including Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk, with whom she engaged in many quarrels during his minority over money and his allowance. Her lack of generosity to Henry shocked her peers as unmotherly, and inappropriate behaviour toward a high-ranking nobleman, relative of King Henry VIII of England.

In 1534, Wotton was compelled to answer the charges that she was an "unnatural mother".

On 10 September 1533, Wotton stood as one of the godmothers of the future Queen Elizabeth I of England. She was the subject of two portraits by Hans Holbein the Younger. One of her many grandchildren was Lady Jane Grey.