A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Davies, (Lady Eleanor)
She had a learned education, and was married to Sir John Davies, the king's first serjeant-at-law in England, and attorney-general in Ireland, by whom she was the mother of one son, a perfect ideot, who died young, and of one daughter. Three months after the death of Sir John, she was married to Archibald Douglas, but was not happy with either of her husbands, on account of her pretences to inspiration, and the offence her publications gave, one of which at least was burnt by each of them. The first of her works which appeared had this fantastic title: The Lady Eleanor, her Appeal. Present this to Mr. Mace, the Prophet of the Most High, his Messenger, Printed in the Year 1646. It contains forty pages, and concludes with this anagram:
Reveal O Daniel.
Eleanor Audley.
She became acquainted, in 1625, with a Scotch lad, about the age of thirteen, who was called the Dumb Boy, or Fortune Teller, who, in a sort of whistling voice, like a bird, was supposed to foretel events, and to whom the Lady Davies shewed great favour. A great outcry was, however, soon raised against him as a witch or wizard, and he was obliged to leave the place, when, to confound his persecutors (says the lady), the spirit of prophecy fell upon me; then were all vexed worse than ever, ready to turn the house upside down, laying this to his charge.
On this, she laid aside all household cares, and conversation with any one, excepting the Bible, in which she saw strange things, and fancied, from the above anagram (a species of fancy to which she was much addicted), that the soul of the prophet Daniel was infused into her.
Some fortunate guesses concerning events, particularly about deaths of people, which she frequently predicted, made many put great faith in what she said, and consult her in events, amongst whom was the queen of Charles I. But whatever opinion the queen might have of Lady Eleanor's prophetic spirit, his majesty appears by no means pleased with the use she made of it; and therefore, upon her taking a house at St. James's, sent Mr. Kirk (one of his bed-chamber) to her, to inform her of his displeasure, and, that if she did not leave off her "Predictions relative to his affairs, he would take another course. To which (says she) my answer was, I would take a course against him, namely. Sir Archibald Douglas, that had burnt my papers to purchase his favour, and that he and all should know shortly.
"In the conclusion, Mr. Kirk said, he was not carried with the vulgar, but prayed me to tell him, whether the king should have a son or no. Unwilling to send him empty away, assured him a son, and a strong child; he not sparing to impart, accordingly solemnized with bon-fires, &c." But this spirit of divination proved very unfortunate, and involved her in great trouble and vexation; for having printed some more prophecies, and drawn up a very offensive petition, she was summoned by his majesty's order before the ecclesiastical court, in 1633, where her book was burnt; on which, she told archbishop Laud when he should die; and was fined three thousand pounds, excommunicated, no bible, pen and ink, or woman-servant, allowed her, but confined to prison for ever. She, however, staid but two years.
There are writers of no mean repute, who speak highly in her commendation. As for her character, there needs little more be said (says the continuator of Baker's Chronicle) than to repeat what has been delivered concerning her by the elegant pen of the learned Dr. Peter Du Moulin. "She was," says he, "learned above her sex, humble below her fortune, having a mind so great and noble, that prosperity could not make it remiss, nor her deepest adversity cause her to shrink or discover the least pusillanimity or dejection of spirit; being full of the love of God, to that fullness the smiling world could not add, nor the frowning detract."
The year before her death, she printed a pamphlet, entitled, The Restitution of Prophecy; that buried Talent to be revived. By the Lady Eleanor, 1651. The greatest part of the tract is very obscure, except the historical, in which are said very severe things against the persecutors of herself and her family.