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Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester Facts & Worksheets

Robert Dudley was an English nobleman and confidant of Queen Elizabeth I of England until his death

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Robert Dudley was an English nobleman and confidant of Queen Elizabeth I of England until his death. For many years, the Queen provided for him and led him to believe that he would be a suitor for her hand.

See the fact file below for more information on Robert Dudley or alternatively, you can download our 28-page Robert Dudley worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Early Life

  • Robert Dudley was the 5th son of John and Jane Dudley. His parents had a happy family life together with their 13 children.
  • He had a talent for languages and writing. His tutor believed that he was wrong in preferring mathematics.
  • Robert Dudley married Amy Robsart. He became an important member of Parliament and the Royal Court.
  • When Edward VI died, Robert Dudley led 300 people against Mary Tudor. He lost the battle, his enemies imprisoned him in the Tower of London and he was condemned to death.
  • In the Tower, Dudley’s stay coincided with his childhood friend, Elizabeth. She later became Queen of England.
  • The day after Elizabeth became Queen, Robert Dudley became Master of the Horse – an important court position. 

Elizabeth’s Favorite

  • Dudley organized a large part of the Queen’s coronation festivities. He was also appointed a Knight of the Garter.
  • Dudley was important to Queen Elizabeth and was a favorite of hers. She was very possessive of him and never allowed him to go far from her side.
  • Dudley thought that Elizabeth would never marry because she vowed not to marry when she was eight years old. He hoped that he would be her choice if she changed her mind.
  • Several princes wanted to marry the Queen. But they thought she was tricking them until she could marry Dudley.
  • Dudley’s enemies began conspiring to murder him, and he wore a coat of light mail beneath his clothes to protect himself.
  • Robert remained married to Lady Amy Dudley. He only visited his wife for a few days. One day, she was found dead at her residence. 
  • There was a rumor that Dudley arranged his wife’s death so he could marry the Queen. This was never confirmed. 
  • Elizabeth and Dudley remained friends even though she refused again to marry him. 
  • The Earl then organized a lavish festival in a bid to marry Elizabeth.
  • The festivities included a paper-mâché dolphin with an orchestra in its belly, fireworks, masks, hunts, and bear-baiting at the party. But Elizabeth declined the offer.
  • Dudley offered to leave England and go on military adventures, but Elizabeth did not want that. So Robert stayed.
  • Elizabeth made Robert the Earl of Leicester so he could marry Mary, Queen of Scots. Robert was angry. Yet the Scottish Queen did not accept the proposal.

Leicester’s Love

  • Leicester had a good relationship with Douglas Sheffield, a young widow. Leicester informed her that he would never marry her. 
  • Nevertheless, they had a son who was also called Robert Dudley.
  • Lettice Knollys, a cousin of Elizabeth, was married to the Earl of Essex. Leicester courted her, which made the Queen jealous. 
  • Lord Essex died from dysentery. People said Leicester might have poisoned him, but it was not true.
  • Leicester secretly married Lettice. He became a good husband and father to his stepchildren.
  • Leicester was afraid to inform the Queen of his marriage. When Leicester’s enemies informed her, she became very angry. She embarrassed Leicester in front of people.
  • In the end, however, she appreciated him as much as ever.
  • Another Robert Dudley was born in this marriage. The child died at three, leaving a grief-stricken family. Dudley found solace in God.

Politics and the Spanish Armada

  • Leicester liked sports, hunting, and jousting. He was good at tennis too. The Queen liked to dance with him.
  • Robert Dudley was a person who liked to try new things. He cared about tapestries and mining, and he helped start the first joint-stock companies in English history.
  • The Earl also gave money to the poor and petitioners. 
  • Leicester was interested in the explorer, Sir Francis Drake’s career. He helped fund his trip around the world. 
  • He was also the founder of the Oxford University Press. During Elizabeth’s reign, 100 books were dedicated to him.
  • Dudley had his own troop of actors, a group of musicians, and the largest collection of paintings in Elizabethan England. 
  • The Earl of Leicester was a loyal supporter of Queen Elizabeth I. Dudley was a careful advisor and attended court regularly.
  • Leicester and Sir Francis Walsingham formed a partnership to promote a more aggressive Protestant policy.
  • Robert was named Captain-General of the Queen’s Armies as the Spanish Armada drew closer.
  • Leicester defended England from the Spaniards. He built a camp at Tilbury on the Thames for this purpose.
  • Leicester fought for the Queen after an attempt was made to invade England. After the Spanish Armada was defeated, the Earl went to London riding along in splendor looking like a king. And for his last few weeks, he dined with the Queen, which would have been a special favor.

Final Years

  • On his way to take the baths near Oxford, Robert died. His health had deteriorated for some time. It is thought that he might have died from malaria or cancer.
  • He died unexpectedly and the Queen was so sad that she shut herself in her room. After some days, they had to smash the door open.
  • Elizabeth called Dudley ‘Eyes,’ the secret symbol that they used in their letters to each other.
  • Elizabeth kept the last letter Robert wrote to her in a box next to her bed. It was found there when she died 15 years later.
  • Leicester was buried in the same place as his ancestors and his little son.

Robert Dudley Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Robert Dudley across 28 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching about Robert Dudley who was an English nobleman and confidant of Queen Elizabeth I of England until his death.

Robert Dudley
Robert Dudley
Robert Dudley
Robert Dudley
Robert Dudley
Robert Dudley

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester Facts
  • Robert Dudley’s Life
  • The Elizabethan Era
  • A Gentleman’s Abilities
  • Elizabethan Portraits
  • The Earl of Leicester
  • On Monsieur’s Departure
  • A Love for Books
  • Early Modern English
  • One Mistress, No Master
  • An Obituary

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Robert Leicester and why is he important to Elizabeth’s story?

The 1st Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley was a very important person in Queen Elizabeth I’s court. He had many important jobs in her government and he also helped pay for artists and musicians.

Why was Dudley imprisoned?

Robert was imprisoned in the Tower of London after his father’s failed conspiracy to put Lady Jane Grey on the throne, but he was released and served with English forces in France just a year later.

Was Lord Dudley a Lord Protector?

In 1551, Dudley took control of the Duke of Somerset and became the Lord Protector of England.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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