Elizabeth was born in 1536, the daughter of Sir James Leyburn of Cunswick, Westmorland, and his wife Helen Preston.

The marriage produced five children: There was disagreement between Elizabeth and the Dacres as to her husband's will, which settled his lands on his son and brothers, limiting their inheritance to heirs male.

"[citation needed] Six months after her husband died on 25 July 1566, Elizabeth married Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk on 29 January 1567, becoming his third wife.

desir'd to have been reconciled by a Priest, who for that end was conducted into the garden, yet could not have access unto her, either by reason of the Duke's vigilance to hinder it, or at least of his continual presence in the chamber at that time.

[7]The Duke was granted wardship of her children two months after her death[8] Elizabeth's son, George, who had succeeded his father as 5th Baron Dacre, died at the age of nine in 1569.