Old records mostly wrote about men: kings, lords and priests. That doesn't mean women weren't here! These are women connected to Sutton that we know about. Can you find out about more?
E
Elizabeth I
Signed a treaty here
In 1585 the queen and the Dutch Republic signed the Treaty of Nonsuch at Nonsuch Palace. In 1590–1592 Lord Lumley sold the palace back to her.
ET
Elizabeth Throckmorton
Of Carew Manor
One of Queen Elizabeth I's maids of honour, of Carew Manor in Beddington. In about 1591 Sir Walter Raleigh married her in secret, without royal permission.
E
Princess Elizabeth
Stayed here
The future 'Winter Queen' of Bohemia. She and Prince Henry stayed at Nonsuch for a time in 1603.
BC
Barbara, Countess of Castlemaine
Owned Nonsuch
In 1670 Charles II gave her Nonsuch, with the title Baroness of Nonsuch. In 1682–3 she had the palace pulled down and sold its building materials to pay her gambling debts.
JL
Jenny Lind
Sang here
A Swedish opera singer, Johanna Maria Lind, who visited friends in the area in 1847 and enchanted locals with her singing. A Sutton pub built in 1854 was named after her.
DR
Dora Russell
1894–1986
Went to school here
An author, and a feminist and socialist campaigner for contraception and peace. She won a junior scholarship to Sutton High School.
CC
Constance Cox
1912–1998
Born here
A script writer and playwright, born in Sutton, Surrey, in 1912.
PK
Penelope Keith
1940–2026
Born here
An actress best known for the British sitcoms The Good Life and To the Manor Born. She was born in Sutton, Surrey, in 1940.