She was credited with changing her husband's political opinions and the Bishop of Bath and Wells reported her to the Secretary of State as "the most dangerous woman in the West".
Her parents were Mary (born Croker) and Sir Robert Pye of Faringdon in Berkshire, who was an Auditor of the Receipt of the Exchequer.
[1] There were nine children of Mary and George's marriage, of whom three died at a young age and five became political followers of their parents, including Hugh Speke.
It is unknown why he singled out Mary when other members of her family were in contact with known rebels and her husband was known for openly insulting the King and Queen.
The bishop told Secretary of State Leoline Jenkins that "there is not a more dangerous woman in the West" in July 1683 and warned him that she was then in London.