unknown mistress of Thomas

Cromwell also had an illegitimate daughter, Jane (c. 1535–1580),[19] whose early life is a complete mystery. According to novelist Hilary Mantel, "Cromwell had an illegitimate daughter, and beyond the fact that she existed, we know very little about her. She comes briefly into the records, in an incredibly obscure way—she's in the archives of the county of Chester."[20][21][22][23] Jane was born to an unknown mother while Cromwell grieved the loss of his wife and daughters. Jane presumably resided in Cromwell's homes, was educated, and spent time living with Gregory Cromwell at Leeds Castle in 1539. Cromwell's records show him paying for clothing and expenses for Jane. It is unknown what became of Jane's mother. Cromwell was known to be one of the few men at court without mistresses, and tried to keep this indiscretion quiet.

Jane married William Hough (c. 1527–1585), of Leighton in Wirral, Cheshire, around 1550.[10][24] William Hough was the son of Richard Hough (1508–73/74) who was Cromwell's agent in Chester from 1534 to 1540.[25][26][27][23] Jane and her husband William Hough remained staunch Roman Catholics, who, together with their daughter, Alice, her husband, William Whitmore, and their children, all came to the attention of the authorities as recusants during the reign of Elizabeth I.[28]

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Cromwell#Marriage_and_issue