ANNE RUSSELL

KEY EVENTS

Dec 1548 - Birth of ANNE RUSSELL, eldest daughter of FRANCIS RUSSELL and MARGARET ST JOHN, at 'Cheynes'/Chenies, Buckinghamshire.

c.1559 - ANNE RUSSELL joins ELIZABETH I's court (is not officially appointed as a 'maid of honour' given her age)

27 Aug 1562 - Death of mother MARGARET ST JOHN from Smallpox, at Woburn Abbey.

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11 Nov 1565 - Marriage between ANNE RUSSELL and AMBROSE DUDLEY  in the Royal Chapel at Whitehall Palace; ELIZABETH I known to have attended. Marriage was arranged by father FRANCIS RUSSELL and brother-in-law ROBERT DUDLEY; father not present at wedding. Tournament is held in celebration of their marriage over the next 3 days.

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1565 - ANNE RUSSELL is appointed as a member of ELIZABETH I's household - Lady of the Privy Chamber.

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Aug 1572 - ANNE RUSSELL accompanies ELIZABETH I to Warwick, including stay at Warwick Castle.

28 Feb-02 Mar 1573 - ANNE RUSSELL and AMBROSE DUDLEY host ELIZABETH I at their home in Northaw, Hertfordshire.

27 Oct 1575 - Christening of ANNE RUSSELL's niece, Elizabeth, daughter of brother JOHN RUSSELL and wife Elizabeth Cooke (born on 20 Oct 1575), at Westminster Abbey. Anne acted as deputy for ELIZABETH I as Godmother; ROBERT DUDLEY nominated as godfather, along with Dudley's niece, Frances Sidney, Countess of Suffolk.

Aug 1576 - ELIZABETH I dines at the Warwicks' home in Northaw, Hertfordshire. 

May 1577 - ELIZABETH I dines at the Warwicks' home in Northaw, Hertfordshire.

28 Jul 1585 - Death of father FRANCIS RUSSELL at Bedford House, The Strand, London.

1586 - ANNE RUSSELL and husband AMBROSE DUDLEY become guardians to Anne's brother Francis Russell's (d. 27 Jul 1585), including Edward Russell, 3rd Earl of Bedford (1572-1627).

20-21 Jul 1587 - ELIZABETH I stays overnight at Northaw, Hertfordshire; known to have had a dispute with ROBERT DEVEREUX here.

27 Jan 1590 - ELIZABETH I visits ANNE RUSSELL and AMBROSE DUDLEY at Bedford House, hearing about illness of Earl of Warwick.
 

21 Feb 1590 - Death of husband AMBROSE DUDLEY at Bedford House, The Strand, London; is buried at Beauchamp Chapel, St Mary's Church. Following his death, as widow, Anne spends the majority of her time at court. 

08 Feb 1601 - 'Essex Rebellion' takes place in London; Edward Russell taken into custody to Tower of London, but later released with a fine. Subsequent fractions in relationship between ANNE RUSSELL and ELIZABETH I until later resolution and restoration of position in her household. 

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24 Mar 1603 - Death of ELIZABETH I at Richmond Palace; ANNE RUSSELL known to have been present at the time of the Queen's death as one of her ladies.

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28 Apr 1603 - Funeral of ELIZABETH I at Westminster Abbey; ANNE RUSSELL and sister MARGARET RUSSELL known to have attended to Queen when lying in state at Whitehall, and were part of funeral procession (Niece ANNE CLIFFORD wrote she was too young to attend lying in state and procession, but attended ceremony). 

03 May 1603 - King James I/VI arrives at Theobolds House, Hertfordshire; ANNE RUSSELL, MARGARET RUSSELL and ANNE CLIFFORD are some of the ladies who meet with him there.

24 Jun 1603 - ANNE RUSSELL arrives at Dingley Hall, Northamptonshire, and meets Anne of Denmark; MARGARET RUSSELL and ANNE CLIFFORD had ridden separately. 

26 Jun 1603 - ANNE RUSSELL, MARGARET RUSSELL and ANNE CLIFFORD attend on James I/VI and Anne of Denmark at Althorp House; Anne Clifford notes "she shewed no favour to the elderly Ladies". PENELOPE DEVEREUX also present.

25 Jul 1603 - Coronation of James I/VI and wife Anne of Denmark at Westminster Abbey; MARGARET RUSSELL and husband George Clifford, and Elizabeth Russell and husband William Bouchier attended (as per ANNE CLIFFORD's diary); did not document whether aunt ANNE RUSSELL attended, but Anne of Denmark known to have had 14 countesses attend her procession.

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09 Feb 1604 - Death of ANNE RUSSELL at home in Northaw, Hertfordshire; is later buried at family chapel (Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies).