Margaret Clement

For the Brookside character, see Margaret Clemence.

Margaret Clement or Clements (1508–1570), nee Giggs was one of the most learned ladies of the Tudor era and the adopted daughter of Sir Thomas More.

Clement's maiden name was Giggs. She was born in 1508, the daughter of a gentleman of Norfolk. She was a kinswoman of Sir Thomas More, who brought her up from a child with his own daughters. About 1530 she married Dr. John Clement, on which occasion Leland wrote an epithalamium; and her portrait was included in both of Holbein's large pictures of the 'More Family,' painted about the same time.

Algebra was probably her special study; and More had an 'algorisme stone' of hers with him in the Tower of London, which he sent back to her the day before his execution, 1535. She obtained also the shirt in which he suffered, and preserved it. About 1540 Sir Thomas Elyott conveyed to her and her husband the indignation felt by Emperor Charles V at More's execution. She was a Roman Catholic, and died in exile at Mechlin on 6 July 1570. She had one child, a daughter, Winifred, who married William Rastall, judge, More's nephew.

References

 "Clement, Margaret". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. 

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Name	Clement, Margaret
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Date of birth	1508
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Date of death	1570
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