Alice Wilkes

Alice Wilkes (also spelt Welkes, married name Alice Restwold) was an English servant to Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of Henry VIII of England and was a significant witness in Queen Catherine's trial for treason and adultery.

Biography

Wilkes was member of the household of Agnes Howard, Duchess of Norfolk, with Catherine Howard.^[1] When Catherine became queen, Wilkes was appointed as one of her chamberers.^[2] Catherine Howard gave Wilkes "upper and nether habiliments of goldsmith's work for the French hood and a tablet of gold".^[3]

Wilkes was a significant witness in Queen Catherine's trial for treason and adultery.^[4] She was first questioned about her former mistress on 5 November 1541 and by 22 December had "pleaded guilty to misprision of treason as having concealed the facts of the Queen’s behaviour."^[5]

After questioning, Wilkes informed that Francis Dereham had spent his nights in Catherine’s bed whilst in the household of Agnes Howard 1538, prior to her marriage to the King.^[6] Wilkes also slept in this bed and was allegedly "so irritated by the couples puffing and blowing" as they had sex that she asked to switch beds.^[7]

Alice's husband was Anthony Restwold,^[7] the son of Edward Restwold and Agnes Restwold (née Cheyne, later Waterton). He was a Member (MP) of the Parliament of England for New Woodstock in November 1554 and for Aylesbury in 1555.^[5]