Write an account of the role played by Robert Dudley in Elizabeth’s life. (8 marks).
Robert Dudley acted as a very important figure during Elizabeth’s reign and throughout
Elizabeth’s reign, Dudley always remained one of Elizbeth’s most trusted and most
important subjects. Ever since childhood Elizabeth and Dudley remained close friends and
Elizabeth often confided in Dudley. After Dudley joined his father’s Protestant plot to make
Lady Jane Grey Queen, Dudley was imprisoned in the tower at the same time Elizabeth had
been imprisoned there. However, after Dudley had been released he continued to stay loyal
and close to Elizabeth. In 1550, Dudley married Amy Robsart causing lots of gossip but
despite this, Dudley remained close to Elizabeth. When Elizabeth was appointed Queen in
155, she instantly made Dudley the ‘Master of the Horse’. The ‘Master of the Horse’ would
be in charge of all the horses and would assist and accompany Elizabeth whenever she went
riding which convincingly illustrates the pure trust and how she viewed him as an important
and loyal figure. In 1560, Dudley’s wife, Amy Robsart, was found dead which induced gossip
and this scandal prevented Dudley from ever marrying the Queen although it was never
proved. In 1562, the importance of Dudley to Elizabeth was highlighted as when she became
ill with smallpox, she told her Councillors that Dudley was now the Protector of the Realm
and he was now to look after the nation whilst Elizabeth was in an unfit state. In 1564,
Elizabeth pronounced Dudley as the Earl of Leicester illustrating her trust in him. In 1575,
Dudley invited Elizabeth on a trip to the new and improved Kenilworth Castle for a long
celebration. Dudley wanted this trip to try and persuade Elizabeth to marry him. Dudley
spent lots of money renovating the castle especially for Elizabeth and held dances, feasts
and gifts to encourage Elizabeth to marry him. However, things ended abruptly and
Elizabeth left without accepting the marriage proposal. In 1578, Dudley married the
Countess of Essex which upset Elizabeth dramatically and Elizabeth became outraged when
she found out that his wife was now pregnant. However, Elizabeth and Dudley remained
close but less so than previously as Dudley was present when Elizabeth made the Tilbury
Speech after the Spanish Armada. Perhaps, Elizabeth trusted Dudley so much was because
he was always there to support her. When Dudley died, Elizabeth was mortified and spent
many days alone in her bedroom. Dudley was important to Elizabeth from a young age
partially because she trusted him more than anyone else but also because she grew up with
him as a friend who provided support and loyalty.
Robert Dudley acted as a very important figure during Elizabeth’s reign and throughout
Elizabeth’s reign, Dudley always remained one of Elizbeth’s most trusted and most
important subjects. Ever since childhood Elizabeth and Dudley remained close friends and
Elizabeth often confided in Dudley. After Dudley joined his father’s Protestant plot to make
Lady Jane Grey Queen, Dudley was imprisoned in the tower at the same time Elizabeth had
been imprisoned there. However, after Dudley had been released he continued to stay loyal
and close to Elizabeth. In 1550, Dudley married Amy Robsart causing lots of gossip but
despite this, Dudley remained close to Elizabeth. When Elizabeth was appointed Queen in
155, she instantly made Dudley the ‘Master of the Horse’. The ‘Master of the Horse’ would
be in charge of all the horses and would assist and accompany Elizabeth whenever she went
riding which convincingly illustrates the pure trust and how she viewed him as an important
and loyal figure. In 1560, Dudley’s wife, Amy Robsart, was found dead which induced gossip
and this scandal prevented Dudley from ever marrying the Queen although it was never
proved. In 1562, the importance of Dudley to Elizabeth was highlighted as when she became
ill with smallpox, she told her Councillors that Dudley was now the Protector of the Realm
and he was now to look after the nation whilst Elizabeth was in an unfit state. In 1564,
Elizabeth pronounced Dudley as the Earl of Leicester illustrating her trust in him. In 1575,
Dudley invited Elizabeth on a trip to the new and improved Kenilworth Castle for a long
celebration. Dudley wanted this trip to try and persuade Elizabeth to marry him. Dudley
spent lots of money renovating the castle especially for Elizabeth and held dances, feasts
and gifts to encourage Elizabeth to marry him. However, things ended abruptly and
Elizabeth left without accepting the marriage proposal. In 1578, Dudley married the
Countess of Essex which upset Elizabeth dramatically and Elizabeth became outraged when
she found out that his wife was now pregnant. However, Elizabeth and Dudley remained
close but less so than previously as Dudley was present when Elizabeth made the Tilbury
Speech after the Spanish Armada. Perhaps, Elizabeth trusted Dudley so much was because
he was always there to support her. When Dudley died, Elizabeth was mortified and spent
many days alone in her bedroom. Dudley was important to Elizabeth from a young age
partially because she trusted him more than anyone else but also because she grew up with
him as a friend who provided support and loyalty.
