Christian Hickling’s life, woven into the rich tapestry of history, began around 1562 in Greens Norton, Northamptonshire, England. Born to William Hickling and Lady Frances Marie Goodwin, Christian grew up in an era marked by profound transformations. Her early years coincided with the establishment of the Royal Exchange in 1571 by Sir Thomas Gresham, a pivotal moment in English banking history.

Christian’s life took a significant turn when she married Thomas Elmes. Their union was blessed with a large family, including William, Mary, Edmund, Martha, Thomas, Anthony, John, and Frances Elmes. Christian’s life as a wife and mother in 16th and early 17th century England would have been filled with the responsibilities and challenges typical of the time, including managing a household and raising children in an era without modern conveniences.

The socio-economic landscape of Christian’s life was shaped by her gender and social status. As a woman in Elizabethan England, her opportunities and roles were largely defined by her marriage and family. While her husband likely engaged in work or trade, Christian’s work would have been centered around the home. This period was not without its challenges, as the establishment of the first English colony in America in 1585 and the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1587, signaled a time of exploration, political intrigue, and religious tension.

Christian’s life was also influenced by the broader historical context of her time. The State Lottery recorded in 1569 and the establishment of the first English colony in America in 1585 were indicative of a society in the midst of economic and colonial expansion. These events, occurring during her formative years, would have shaped the world in which she lived and raised her family.

Tragically, Christian’s life was also marked by personal loss. The death of her children Edmund and John Elmes in infancy was a sorrowful reality of the era, reflecting the harshness of life in a time when medical knowledge was limited.

Christian’s final years were spent in her hometown of Greens Norton, where she passed away on April 19, 1635, at the age of 74. She was laid to rest in Lilford cum Wigsthorpe, Northamptonshire, a testament to her lifelong connection to her birthplace. Her burial in St Peter’s Church in Greens Norton, amidst the rolling hills of South Northamptonshire, marked the end of her journey in a world that was on the cusp of monumental change.

Christian Hickling’s life, set against the backdrop of Elizabethan England, was a story of family, resilience, and adaptation to the changing tides of history. Her legacy, preserved through the generations, offers a window into a bygone era and the enduring strength of the human spirit.