Isabel Darcy

Isabel Darcy born Isabel Wray became Isabel Foljambe; Isabel Bowes and Isabel, Lady Darcy (c. 1550 – 27 January 1621) was an English patron of clergy. She was a supporter of exorcism and the exorcist John Darrell.

Life
Her father was the judge Christopher Wray and her mother was Anne Brocklesby (born Girlington) who died in 1593. Her father who became the Speaker of the House of Commons was known as an opponent of Protestants while she and her siblings were leading Protestants. Her brother Sir William Wray was said to be the "principal patron of godly religion in Lincolnshire", but she and her sister Frances paid for the education of the Protestant minister Richard Bernard. He received his education at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he matriculated in 1592, obtained his BA in 1595, and an MA in 1598.

She married, first, Godfrey Foljambe of Aldwarke, Yorkshire, and Walton, Derbyshire. She led the efforts to exorcise Katherine Wright who was said to be possessed and a demoniac. Various ministers tried to assist but it was John Darrell who was creditted with completing the exorcism at her home in Walton and this became his speciality. He would send her accounts of his exploits although he was also said to have argued with her husband who was the local magistrate. She joined a puritan group in Ashby de la Zouche led by Arthur Hildersham which also included Richard Bernard who she had been a patron of.

Her husband died on 14 June 1595 and in or before 1600 she married Sir William Bowes, 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. William mentioned that he had consulted his wife as she was knowledgeable "on thinges of this kind". Her husband received a reply from Shrewsbury that adminished him for taking advice from his wife. Robert died on 30 October 1611. On 7 May 1617, she married John, Lord Darcy of Aston, known as "Lord Darcy of the North" who became the third and last husband.

Darcy died in her Yorkshire home in Aldwark on 27 January 1621.