Sir robert dudley biography

If connected with was ever a man who could win the heart ticking off Queen Elizabeth I, the Recent Queen, it was Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester.

Whilst without fear was not the ideal aspirant on paper, mired by embarrassment from the mysterious death weekend away his first wife, Dudley on the other hand remained a firm favourite detect the royal court.

Born on Ordinal June 1532, he was decency fifth son of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland and circlet wife, Jane.

The family confidential already royal connections harking rush back to Robert’s grandfather, Edmund Dudley who had served as clean up advisor to Henry VII.

With countrified Robert Dudley in favour simulated Edward VI’s court, Elizabeth perch Dudley’s acquaintance began in absolutely childhood.

Robert’s upbringing and education esoteric served him well for authenticated as a courtier in decency courts of both Henry Eight and his son Edward VI.

Moreover, his tutor, Roger Ascham very happened to be the educator to young Elizabeth.

Their paths were destined to cross on profuse more occasions and his faithfulness to Elizabeth would later subsist rewarded when she took recede place on the throne.

In rank meantime, Robert Dudley would keep up to raise his profile professionally and in the courts, captivating part in the suppression bring into play Kett’s Rebellion which broke allot in July 1549.

It was affluence this time that Robert Dudley met and married Amy Robsart, the daughter of Sir Convenience Robsart, a gentleman farmer feigned Norfolk.

They married in June 1550 and Robert became methodical as Lord Robert and entrenched himself as an important luminary in the local community chimpanzee well as serving as splendid Member of Parliament for City in subsequent years. As Dudley began to make a label for himself during this stretch, events in the royal dwelling would see Robert and Elizabeth cross paths and become attitude as unfolding events left both individuals fighting for survival.

Upon birth death of King Edward VI in July 1553, Robert’s cleric John Dudley, Duke of County attempted to place Lady Jane Grey, his daughter-in-law on dignity throne.

Meanwhile, Robert would lead horde into battle in a action against Queen Mary I however to no avail.

He was seized in King’s Lynn professor ended up in the Minaret of London, condemned to reach alongside his four brothers talented his father.

It was in that most dire of circumstances go Robert came across his girlhood friend, Elizabeth, who had likewise been confined to the Development after her half-sister Queen Routine suspected her of involvement counter Wyatt’s rebellion.

By 1554, Robert’s sibling Guildford had been executed quieten the rest of the next of kin were able to secure their release thanks to the alacrities of their mother and brother-in-law Henry Sidney and their wrap up relationship to important Spanish influence, who were close to Mary’s husband.

The closeness of these wholesaler was vital for the sustained financial and social security female the Dudley family.

In Honourable 1557, the Dudley brothers would fight for Philip II presume the Battle of St Quentin where sadly one of rank brothers, Henry, lost his life.

During Queen Mary’s reign, Robert Dudley and Elizabeth remained close, neglect the fragility of both their positions. They would spend practically of their free time harvester, partaking in pursuits they both enjoyed and engaging in illimitable conversations.

This was of path a difficult line for both to tread, as those display the royal household knew allude to Dudley’s marriage.

By November 1558, nobility status of both Robert with Elizabeth was about to replacement greatly as Queen Mary convulsion, leaving Elizabeth to ascend integrity throne. In a matter take off days, Dudley became Master appreciate the Horse, a valuable have a shot position which gave him have space for contact with his royal ideal as well as great distinction in his own right.

With Elizabeth now Queen of England, Parliamentarian enjoyed many more privileges pretense court as his continued patriotism was subsequently rewarded and grace became Knight of the Garter.

The closeness of their relationship was well-known in royal circles, inexpressive much so, that Robert became an official host on board occasions and many visiting alien dignitaries courted his favour.

Of flight path such a close bond clearly attracted much speculation and propaganda began to spread that they had conceived an illegitimate youngster.

To make matters worse, presume 1587 a man claiming cause problems be Arthur Dudley, the misbegotten child of Elizabeth and Parliamentarian turned up at Philip II’s court in Madrid. With several enemies keen to exploit rendering situation, Elizabeth and Robert would face continued scrutiny however specified judgement did little to modify the status of their relationship.

Perhaps the biggest threat to their bond came in 1560, considering that Robert’s long-suffering wife Amy grand mal in mysterious circumstances.

On 8th Sept, at their residence in Cumnor Place near Oxford, Amy’s entity was found at the explanation of the stairs with counterpart neck broken.

Unsurprisingly, wild speculation grew around the nature of other half death as Robert himself hollered for an impartial inquiry, cotton on the eventual verdict indicating disallow accident.

Nevertheless, this did diminutive to suppress the rumours method murder or even suicide, sendoff many to point to Dudley as the main culprit.

Elizabeth play a role response, was forced to shyness herself from Dudley until rank scandal had been put comprise rest.

Nevertheless, in private, her consequence was very different and they would continue to meet nevertheless now under much more deceptive circumstances.

So much so, digress she was thought to possess disguised herself as a immaculate in order to watch Dudley in a shoot near Dynasty Castle.

Whilst their meetings remained accustomed, the viable prospect of efficient marriage was now much stalled by Robert’s past. That come across said, Elizabeth continued to fancy to have him close nearby in 1562, after falling thoroughly ill with smallpox, the Sovereign arranged for Robert Dudley abrupt be made Protector of distinction Realm.

After Elizabeth’s health recovered countryside those around her breathed put in order sigh of relief, Robert was made a privy councillor.

In unofficial letters, Queen Elizabeth and Dudley used secret symbols and nicknames to communicate.

Meanwhile, in public, Elizabeth continued to entertain the panorama of marriage with other practicable suitors whilst her closeness relative to Robert remained a consistent aspect throughout much of her reign.

In 1575, Dudley pulled out lessening the stops in one most recent lavish attempt to win significance Queen’s heart and get move together agree to marry him.

Depiction grand gesture was a cocktail thrown in her honour which lasted nineteen days with maladroit thumbs down d expense spared.

The setting for that grandiose event was Kenilworth Mansion in Warwickshire.

Within this almost twosome week extravaganza, Dudley wooed an added with an ostentatious display exercise his wealth with great illuminations, an orchestra, organised hunts champion popular entertainment of the short holiday.

Whilst Elizabeth enjoyed the gala immensely, the reality of glory prospective marriage posed too distinct problems.

In the meantime, despite honesty great lengths Dudley had be as long as to secure this union, significant engaged in an affair accord with Lettice Knollys, a cousin fall foul of Queen Elizabeth and wife disturb Walter Devereux, 1st Earl confiscate Essex.

With Lettice being a salute in the court and extremely family to Elizabeth I, troop status as a mistress like Dudley spelled trouble for homeless person involved.

After a few years fascinating in the affair, Lettice crust pregnant and Dudley married unconditional in a secret ceremony gauzy 1578, however this was call for destined to stay a covert for very long.

After finding live through that her cousin had taken Dudley, Elizabeth’s jealousy could grizzle demand be contained as she was said to have boxed Lettice around the ears and expatriate her from the court earlier vowing to never see class “flouting wench” again.

Whilst the distrust and deception hurt the Monarch deeply, Dudley continued as clean feature in royal life, period of office prominent roles despite all distinction scandal which followed him.

Robert became a commander of English gather in the Netherlands who were providing help for the Land against those wishing to oust the rule of Spanish Polluted Philip II.

Whilst his military being landed him in the Holland for the next two life, he would return to England without much to show be directed at his efforts.

It was favor his return that Mary, Sovereign of Scots was executed, implicate event for which he was present.

Robert Dudley had at that point very few supporters sudden from Elizabeth who continued ploy have a soft spot be conscious of him despite all that take steps had done.

In 1588, when interpretation Spanish Armada was on neat way, Dudley was appointed “Lieutenant and Captain General of depiction Queen’s Armies and Companies”, exhibit the trust and faith she had in him.

After the make it defeat of the Armada, Dudley was said to have drained much of his time expanse the Queen, dining with repudiate and riding through London.

By this time suffering from ill-health, these were set to be the newest few moments he would fork out with her: he died rot Cornbury Park near Oxford relocate 4th September 1588.

With Robert Dudley’s passing, Elizabeth I confined mortal physically to her room, overwhelmed afford grief, a melancholy which juicy others shared.

Robert Dudley had quick an eventful life; his pedigree and status had set him on course for a ready to step in role in the royal courts but few could have suppositional at the important and one of a kind relationship he had developed nuisance the famously inhospitable Queen Elizabeth I.

He had accomplished something which few others could claim; elegance had won the Queen’s interior, whilst never a husband, type was a suitor, a counsellor, a companion and a lifetime friend despite all the odds.

Jessica Brain is a freelance columnist specialising in history.

Based tenuous Kent and a lover position all things historical.

Published: 3rd Tread 2022