By the 10 Nov 1558 it was clear that Elizabeth would be queen and when a week later her sister Mary died, Elizabeth became the first English monarch to bear that name. The following day the Great Seal was surrendered into her hands and she made Robert Dudley her master of horse which meant that he was the only man in the kingdom legally allowed to lay hands on her for the purposes of helping her on and off her horse. Now, an unmarried queen was an asset in diplomatic terms but fears for the nation and the queen’s health were compounded by the fact that Elizabeth had known “Sweet Robin” Dudley since she was a child and rather like a child allowed out of school for the summer Elizabeth rather enjoyed the freedom that being queen now gave her. It wasn’t long before there was speculation about Elizabeth and her Master of Horse. It wasn’t much longer until there were rumours that Elizabeth was pregnant or had even had a child by Dudley. Nicholas Throckmorton the English Ambassador in Paris wrote home expressing the view that these rumours needed to be scotched.I have, as you well know, long both loved and liked you, and found alway that faithful and earnest affection at your hand again that bound me greatly to you. This good will of mine, whatsoever you have thought, hath not changed from that it was at ye beginning toward you. And I trust, after your widowhood began upon the first occasion of my coming to you, I did plainly and truly open unto you in what sort my good will should and might alway remain to you, and showing you such reasons as then I had for ye performance of mine intent, as well as ever since. It seemed [that] you had fully resolved with yourself to dispose yourself accordingly, without any further expectation or hope of other dealing. From which time you have framed yourself in such sort toward me as was very much to my contentation. And I did with my former mind also continue my good will & determination toward you.
You can’t say that Dudley didn’t lay his cards on the table. In 1574 Douglas had a son called Robert but by then Dudley’s attentions had turned back to Lettice Knollys who was married to the 1st Earl of Essex. Walter Devereux was sent to Ireland in 1573. Let’s just say that when the earl returned home in 1575 that Dudley wasn’t his most favourite person. The earl went back to Ireland in 1576 and promptly expired of dysentery. Dudley who was in England was very soon accused of having poisoned the earl.
In July 1575 Elizabeth arrived to visit Dudley in Kenilworth. Dudley made yet another marriage proposal – it was very elaborate and very expensive. He’d also commissioned two full length portraits one of himself and one of Elizabeth. The queen enjoyed the party and the flattery but did not take the bait.
On 21 September 1578 Dudley married Lettice at Wanstead – in secret. Nine months later the queen found out and there was rathe ra lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth. Elizabeth did not forgive and forget. Lettice was never welcome back at court and in 1583 she was still sniping at Dudley’s treachery.
In the great scheme of things Dudley actually seems fairly subdued on the woman front – but when in pursuit of a queen its perhaps best not to have too many floozies on the go. In later years Robert’s son by Douglas would claim that the pair were married but it was never proven – and had more to do with inheritance than truth.
Thursday 27th September 2018 10.00 am – 3.30pm
Inconvenient Wives
The story of Robert Dudley, Amy Robsart,
Lettice Knollys and Elizabeth I
The Orange Box, Halifax.
MAY be Dudley killed no one but drove them to suicide .Pity Cumnor Place is no more as it would be on great interest to have been able to measure the height of that step. I also think in Robsarst case she was bashed on the head by a person she knew. Was it Dudleys man? I think so myself
The Coroner’s report on Amy’s death was filed in Chancery in August 1561 and is in Kew. Even a basic knowledge of human biology will recognise the seriousness of the description of her 2 head wounds to the back of her head. One is apparently 2 inches in depth and is enough to suggest she did not die of natural causes as has been suggested in the past. Chris Skidmore has a translation of the coroner’s report in his book about the death of Amy Robsart.
If you are into conspiracy theories, then it has been suggested that either the Spanish or Cecil himself, were behind Amy’s unnatural death. Dudley’s reputation would be sufficiently sullied for him to never be able to marry Elizabeth thus removing him from the list of suitors. She was far too canny to become any man’s wife because then should would be a very expensive chattel, but a chattel neverthless. It was not until 1st January 1974 that women ceased to be chattels of their husband’s (see Matrimonial Causes Act 1974).
Skidmore proposes that a portrait miniature in Yale is that of Amy, which I am in total agreement with. However, this portrait is not by Levina Teerlinc as has been suggested, but more likely by Susannah Horenbout. Skidmore’s book, published in 2010, is titled: Death and the Virgin: Elizabeth, Dudley and her Mysterious Fate of Amy Robsart.
I wish I were nearer – the day school sounds fascinating.
Hi Melanie, I have the Skidmore book. The first part of the day is going to be spent looking at the theories surrounding Amy’s death as well as a look at the coroner’s report. We are also going to explore Douglas Howard and her son’s attempt to claim that she and Dudley were married, Lettice Knollys and the Kenilworth proposal. It would be great if you were nearer we could consider forming a double act!