Robert Dudley Biography and Timeline

Birth of Robert Dudley

Robert Dudley is born into the Dudley family and later becomes Earl of Leicester, one of Elizabeth I's closest favourites and political confidants.

Birth of Robert Dudley

Birth of Robert Dudley, same date as Elizabeth I

Marriage

Lord Robert Dudley marries Amy Robsart

Master of the Horse

Appointed Master of the Horse by Elizabeth I

Role range: 1558-1587

Royal Favourite

Dudley becomes a leading courtier and favourite of Elizabeth I

Role range: 1558-1588

Privy Council

Appointed Privy Councillor

Death of Amy Robsart

Dudley's wife Amy Robsart dies after falling down stairs

Role range: 1558-1588

Death of Robert Dudley

Dudleys wife dies under suspicious circumstances

Scandal

An inquest says Dudleys wifes death was accidental

Inquest into Amy Robsart

Inquest finds Amy Robsart's death accidental

Role range: 1558-1588

Dudley Becomes Free to Remarry

Amy Dudley's death leaves Robert Dudley free to marry, intensifying discussion of whether Elizabeth might choose him and produce a direct heir.

Succession Emergency

Dudley is considered for emergency authority during Elizabeth's illness

Role range: 1562-1562

Lord Protector

Appointed Protector of the Realm if Elizabet I is too ill to rule

Marriage

Suggested as a husband for Mary Queen of Scots by Elizabeth I

Peerage

Created Earl of Leicester, 1st

Marriage

Given Kenilworth castle to equip him for a marriage to Mary, she marries Lord Darnley

Peerage

Created Earl of Leicester

Birth of Robert Dudley

Birth of Robert Dudley, son of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester and his lover Douglas Sheffield, daughter of William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham

Conference of Kenilworth

Entertains Elizabeth I at Kenilworth Castle

Marriage

Dudley marries Lettice Knollys, widow of Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex

Bond of Association

Promotes the Bond of Association to protect Elizabeth I against assassination and invasion plots

Role range: 1588

Invasion of Netherlands, The

Has 6,000 English troops to aid the United Provinces against Spain

Role range: 1568-1648

Siege of Zutphen

Conducts the siege of Zutphen without success

Role range: 1568-1648

Invasion of Netherlands, The

The English withdraw from The Netherlands

Role range: 1568-1648

Invasion of England

Earl of Leicester maintained a force of 4,000 soldiers at West Tilbury, Essex, to defend the Thames Estuary against any incursion up-river towards London.

Role range: 1585-1604

Invasion of England

On 8 August (18 August New Style) Queen Elizabeth went to Tilbury to encourage her forces, and the next day gave to them what is probably her most famous speech.

Role range: 1585-1604

Invasion of England

The threat of invasion from The Netherlands had not yet been discounted by the English, and Robert Dudley.

Role range: 1585-1604

Spanish Armada, 1st

Earl of Leicester maintained a force of 4,000 soldiers at West Tilbury, Essex, to defend the Thames Estuary against any incursion up-river towards London.

Role range: 1585-1604

Spanish Armada, 1st

On 8 August (18 August New Style) Queen Elizabeth went to Tilbury to encourage her forces, and the next day gave to them what is probably her most famous speech.

Role range: 1585-1604

Spanish Armada, 1st

The threat of invasion from The Netherlands had not yet been discounted by the English, and Robert Dudley.

Role range: 1585-1604

Invasion of England

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester maintaines a force of 4,000 soldiers at West Tilbury, Essex, to defend the estuary of the River Thames against any incursion up-river towards London

Role range: 1585-1604

Spanish Armada, 1st

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester maintaines a force of 4,000 soldiers at West Tilbury, Essex, to defend the estuary of the River Thames against any incursion up-river towards London

Role range: 1585-1604

Discovery of Guiana

Explores Guiana

General

Dudley assembled a fleet of ships, including his flagship the galleon Beare, the Beares Whelpe and the pinnaces Earwig and Frisking. He intended to use them to harass the Spaniards in the Atlantic. The Queen did not approve of his plans, because of his inexperience and the value of the ships. She did commission him as a general but insisted that he sail to Guiana instead

Siege of Cadiz

Dudley joined Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, to serve as commander of the Nonpareil in an expedition against Cadiz

Exile of Robert Dudley

Refused titles of father & uncle by Star Chamber & deserts family for Italy

Death of Robert Dudley

Death of Robert Dudley