Mary Dudley, shown here, is probably the mother of Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, née Mary Sidney, one of the first English women to achieve a major reputation for her literary works, translations, and literary patronage.
Mary Dudley wears a dress with sleeves puffed below the elbow in this Eworth portrait. Her dress is strongly reminiscent of Queen Mary I with the lower sleeves puffed out. (Queen Mary I was also portrayed by Eworth.) The under-skirt has an intricate vegetation design.
Keywords: 1555, Eworth, Sydney family, straight coiffure, jeweled headdress, French hood, high neckline, collar, lining, low puffed sleeves, slashed sleeves, cuffs, under-skirt, brooch, aglets, girdle, jeweled pendant chain, rings