Isabel Darcy

Isabel, Lady Darcy, also known as Isabel, Lady Bowes and Isabel Foljambe (c. 1563 – 27 January 1621), was an English patron of clergy. She was a supporter of exorcism, Puritanism, and the exorcist John Darrell.

Isabel Darcy
Born	Isabel Wray c. 1563 Glentworth, Lincolnshire, Kingdom of England
Died	27 January 1621 Aldwark, Yorkshire, Kingdom of England
Nationality	English
Known for	Patron of Protestant clergy

Life

Originally Isabel Wray, she was born in Glentworth, Lincolnshire, to Sir Christopher Wray, English judge (1524 – 1592), and Anne Girlington (died 1593).

Her father Christopher became the Speaker of the House of Commons and was known as an opponent of Puritanism, while Wray and her siblings were leading Puritans. Her brother Sir William Wray was said to be the "principal patron of godly religion in Lincolnshire",^[1] but Wray and her sister Frances paid for the education of the Puritan minister Richard Bernard,^[1] who received education at Christ's College, Cambridge, matriculated in 1592, and obtained a BA, in 1595, and a MA, in 1598.^[2]

In 1582, Isabel Wray married Godfrey Foljambe of Aldwarke and Walton, in Walton, Derbyshire. Queen Mary I of Scotland stayed two nights at the house of Godfrey Foljambe in early January 1569, during her captivity, at Walton near Chesterfield.^[3] Wray led the efforts to exorcise Katherine Wright who was said to be possessed with a demonic spirit. Various ministers tried to assist but it was John Darrell who was credited with completing the exorcism at her home in Walton and this became his speciality.^[1] He would send her accounts of his exploits, although he was also said to have argued with her husband, who was the local magistrate. Wray joined a Puritan group in Ashby de la Zouche led by Arthur Hildersham. Richard Bernard was part of the group, who she had been a patron of.^[1][4]

Her husband Foljambre died on 14 June 1595. About 1600, Wray married Sir William Bowes, English ambassador, who succeeded his uncle Robert Bowes in the Scottish embassy. In 1603 her husband wrote to the earl of Shrewsbury concerning the rate of change of reform to the Church of England. William mentioned that he had consulted his wife as she was knowledgeable "on things of this kind". Her husband received a reply from Shrewsbury that admonished him for taking advice from his wife.

Puritan conference in Coventry

In 1606, Wray and William Bowes authorized Puritan leaders to organize a conference in their mansion at Coventry. One of the leaders was Thomas Helwys, Puritan theologian and lawyer, founder of the Baptist tradition, who later was exiled in the Dutch Republic (The Netherlands). During this time, Wray was financially supporting the Puritan minister Richard Rothwell. William Bowes died in 1611, right before Helwys returning to England.

Later life

On 7 May 1617, Wray married John, Lord Darcy of Aston, known as "4th Lord Darcy of the North", who was her third and last husband.^[1]

Darcy died at her residence in Aldwark, Yorkshire, on 27 January 1621.^[1]