Robert Dudley

June 24 1532/33-September 4 1588. Earl of Leicester. Soldier, statesman and courtier. He was good looking, well-educated and well-known as the favorite at court and the possible lover of Elizabeth I.

Family Background and Court Life

His father was John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, Duke of Northumberland. His brother Guildford Dudley married Lady Jane Grey, the grand-daughter of Henry VIII’s younger sister Mary. After the death of Edward VI, as Lord Protector, John Dudley failed in promoting Lady Jane Grey to be the Queen of England and ended up being executed. His son Robert was imprisoned in the tower, where Elizabeth Tudor also happened to be, because she was accused of treason as she was a Protestant, which was suspicious during the reign of Mary Tudor.

Dudley and Elizabeth built a close friendship. Later when Elizabeth became the queen of England, Dudley became the favorite at court. The Queen was dependent on Dudley and in favor of being accompanied by Dudley. It was said that they were very close and intimate. Dudley even could enter her chamber at any time. Rumour also spread that they had physical relationship. The close association with Queen brought Dudley a large amount of benefits. However, due to the complicated political situation, it was impossible for them to marry.

Marriages

Dudley was married three times, with Amy Robsart, Douglas Howard [Douglas? surely not. Please correct] and Lettice Knollys. Amy died in an accident of falling down the stairs. Dudley was therefore suspected of killing his wife. He had later a secret relationship with Lettice, who was one of maids of queen Elizabet. When Lettice became pregnant, Dudley married her in a simple marriage service. On hearing the news Elizabeth was very angry and henceforth alienated Dudley. Lettice later gave a birth to a son but he died young.

Death

Dudley never changed his loyalty to Elizabeth. He was appointed by Elizabeth as a commander in 1585 to fight the Spanish Armada. He died, probably from a malarial infection in 1588.

Sources

"Robert Dudley." Elizabethan Era, http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/robert-dudley.htm.

“Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.” Spartacus Educational, http://spartacus-educational.com/TUDdudleyR.htm.

Stedall Robert. “Lord Robert Dudley.” Mary Queen of Scots, http://www.maryqueenofscots.net/people/lord-robert-dudley-earl-leicester/.

Westin, Jeane. “Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley.” The Elizabeth Files, http://www.elizabethfiles.com/info/elizabeth-i-and-robert-dudley/.