Elizabeth Baskerville, born in 1576 in Exeter, Devon, England, embarked on a life journey that mirrored the transformative changes of her time. The daughter of Thomas Baskerville, an Exeter apothecary, and Edyeth Perry, Elizabeth grew up in a family with deep roots in English history. Her father, a descendant of Sir James Baskerville who fought at the Battle of Hastings, was a respected figure in Exeter, serving as a Bailiff in 1590.

In 1593, at the age of 17, Elizabeth married Ignatius Jourdain, a wealthy merchant who later became a staunch Puritan. This union was not just a marital alliance but also a reflection of the socio-religious shifts occurring in England. Their family grew to include at least 13 children: Elizabeth, Ignatius, Mary, Jonas, Sarah, John, Hester, Samuel, Esther, Josias, Nathaniel, Hannah, and Ruth Jourdain.

Elizabeth’s life was set against the backdrop of significant historical events. The establishment of the first English colony in America in 1585 and the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1587 were contemporary events that would have shaped the worldviews of Elizabeth and her family. The founding of the Honourable East India Company in 1600 marked the beginning of an era of global trade and colonial expansion, likely influencing Ignatius’s business ventures.

Living in a period of religious and political turmoil, Elizabeth’s life as a Puritan’s wife would have been marked by a strict adherence to religious principles, which often clashed with the established Church of England. This adherence could have led to social and economic challenges, especially during the reign of King James I, who was less tolerant of Puritans.

Elizabeth’s role in this period was primarily domestic, managing a large household and raising her children in a time when women’s roles were confined to the home. However, her marriage to a prosperous merchant would have afforded her a comfortable lifestyle, albeit one constrained by the societal norms of her time.

The death of her husband in 1640 and her subsequent passing in 1649, in Exeter, marked the end of an era for the Baskerville-Jourdain family. Elizabeth’s life, spanning the reigns of Elizabeth I and the early Stuarts, encapsulates the experiences of a woman navigating through the complexities of early modern England.

This narrative combines historical context with the personal details of Elizabeth Baskerville’s life, providing a glimpse into the challenges and experiences she may have faced during her lifetime.