Arundell was born Blanche Somerset in 1583 or 1584, daughter of
Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester, and
Lady Elizabeth Hastings. She danced in the masque at the marriage of Anne Russell and
Henry Somerset, 1st Marquess of Worcester in June 1600. The other dancers, led by
Mary Fitton, were Lady Dougherty, Mistress Carey,
Elizabeth Southwell, Mistress Onslow, Bess Russell, and Mistress Darcy. They wore skirts of cloth of silver, waistcoats embroidered with coloured silks and silver and gold thread, mantles of carnation taffeta, and "loose hair about their shoulders" which was also "curiously knotted and interlaced". On 11 May 1607 (date of settlement for the marriage) she married
Thomas Arundell, 2nd Baron Arundell of Wardour, son of
Thomas Arundell, 1st Baron Arundell of Wardour, and
Lady Mary Wriothesley. They had three children: •
Henry Arundell, 3rd Baron Arundell of Wardour • Katherine Arundell • Anne Arundell Arundell was a
lady-in-waiting to
Anne of Denmark.
John Finet described the reception of Isabelle Brûlart, the wife of French ambassador Gaspard Dauvet, Sieur des Marets, at
Denmark House on the
Strand in December 1617. He brought her to a chamber in the first court where she was joined by Arundell, Mistress Barbara Sidney (daughter of the
Viscountess Lisle),
Mistress Southwell of the queen's privy chamber, and
Mistress Gargrave (one of her Majesty's maids of honour). A gentleman usher then took Brûlart to the queen in the Privy Chamber. During the
Civil War, Lord Arundell brought together a regiment of horsemen in support of
King Charles I, whom he led into the
Battle of Stratton in Cornwall on 16 May 1643. He was injured during the battle and died on 19 May 1643. and artillery commanded by two Parliamentary officers, Sir
Edward Hungerford and Colonel
Edmund Ludlow. She finally was forced to surrender on honourable terms. However, the terms were not honoured: the castle was sacked and she was removed as a prisoner to
Shaftesbury. However, due to her illness, she was instead moved to
Dorchester. She died at
Winchester, Hampshire, and was buried at
Tisbury. Her will dated 28 September 1649 was probated on 2 November 1649. ==Notes==