The mystery woman, to whom Shakespeare is said to address twenty-four of his sonnets has been the subject of much speculation.  Her identity remains anonymous, although a number of names have been suggested, including Mary Fitton, a Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth 1st and the mistress of William Herbert, later Earl of Pembroke; Emilia Lanier, the first Englishwoman to assert herself as a professional poet, and Lucy Morgan, a brothel owner.