Theodosia Harington, Lady Dudley (died 1649) was an English aristocrat who was abandoned by her husband, but maintained connections at court through her extensive family networks.
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Early life
She was the eighth daughter of Sir James Harington of Exton, Rutland, a lawyer and long-serving MP, and Lucy Sidney of Penshurst. The Haringtons were the most important landowners in Rutland and her eldest brother, John, was created Baron Harington of Exton in 1603.
Harington had several sisters who married and increased their social network. According to the inscription on her father's tomb at Exton, Rutland, Harington was the eighth and youngest daughter.
Lady Dudley and Princess Elizabeth
In 1581 she married Edward Sutton, 5th Baron Dudley (1567-1643). She was afterwards usually known as "Lady Dudley" or "Theodosia Dudley". The family surname "Sutton" was only rarely used. They had five children.