Katherine Ferrers
A 17th-century heiress immortalized in folklore as the pistol-packing 'Wicked Lady' who robbed travelers on the roads near her estate.
1634–1660 (age 26)·English gentlewoman and alleged bandit (1634–60)·Birthday: May 4
Biography
Katherine Ferrers exists at the blurry intersection of history and legend. Born into considerable wealth as the heir to the Marks Hall estate in Hertfordshire, her life was upended by the English Civil War and family financial troubles. Married young to a man from another aristocratic family, she found her fortune tied up and her future uncertain. It is from this backdrop of genteel desperation that the enduring myth of the 'Wicked Lady' sprang. Local tales insist that by night, the young gentlewoman swapped her silks for a mask and cloak, embarking on a secret life as a highwaywoman robbing coaches on Nomansland Common. The legend culminates in her being shot during a robbery and dragging herself home to die on the steps of her manor, Markyate Cell. While historians debate the facts, the story of Katherine Ferrers has proven irresistible, transforming a minor historical figure into a permanent fixture of English folklore, a romantic and tragic symbol of rebellion against circumstance.
#1 When Katherine Was Born
The biggest hits of 1634
Katherine's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1634Born
1639Started school
1647Became a teenager
1650Could drive
1652Could vote
1655Turned 21
1660Died at 26
Key Achievements
- Is the central figure in the enduring English folk legend of the 'Wicked Lady' highwaywoman.
- Inherited the substantial Marks Hall estate in Hertfordshire at a very young age following her father's death.
- Her life story has inspired numerous books, plays, and films, cementing her place in popular culture.
Did You Know?
She was only three years old when she inherited her fortune after her father died in 1637.
The 1945 film 'The Wicked Lady', starring Margaret Lockwood, was loosely based on her legend.
Her alleged haunt, Markyate Cell (formerly known as Markyate Priory), is a listed building with a history dating to the 12th century.
The legend claims she used secret passages in her home to come and go on her robberies undetected.
“They took my inheritance; I take from the road.”
