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The Alleged Marriage of Robert Dudley and Douglas Howard - 1573
On 10 February 1604, Lettice Knollys, Dowager Countess of Leicester, filed a bill in the Court of the Star Chamber against Sir Robert Dudley, the illegitimate but acknowledged son of her second husband Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester. Dudley, also known as "Robin Sheffield", had disputed that he was not of illegitimate birth, but rather that he was born from a legal union between his parents - Leicester and his one time paramour Douglas Howard, Lady Sheffield.
thedudleywomen
May 1414 min read


Leicester House, The Strand, Westminster
With the lease for Durham Place being taken over by Sidney, it became essential for Leicester to identify another local property that would meet his needs, and by June 1569, he had found one: Paget Place. After taking possession of the house, the property was eponymously renamed 'Leicester House', thus becoming the Earl's official residence within the capital, with Jenkins (1972, p.186) describing the house as becoming "the centre of his social and political existence".
thedudleywomen
Oct 27, 202511 min read


Lettice Knollys: Recommended Reading
Some recommended books which cover various periods of Lettice's life, often in the context of events involving other infamous Tudor figures, including her kinswoman and rival Queen Elizabeth I.
thedudleywomen
Oct 18, 20259 min read
![© The Dudley Women [taken Mar 2024 at St Mary's Church, Warwick]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ed9b82_d42b8c1dd3d942b1b1682c7a05db884d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_333,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/ed9b82_d42b8c1dd3d942b1b1682c7a05db884d~mv2.webp)
![© The Dudley Women [taken Mar 2024 at St Mary's Church, Warwick]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ed9b82_d42b8c1dd3d942b1b1682c7a05db884d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/ed9b82_d42b8c1dd3d942b1b1682c7a05db884d~mv2.webp)
Robert Dudley, Lord Denbigh: "The Noble Impe"
On 19 July 1584, Robert Dudley, Lord Denbigh, son of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, long time 'favourite' of Elizabeth I, and his wife Lettice Knollys, Countess of Leicester, died suddenly whilst residing at Wanstead Hall, Essex.
thedudleywomen
Jul 19, 20257 min read


The Marriage of Lettice Knollys, Countess of Leicester, and Sir Christopher Blount, c.July 1589
Exact details of their marriage are unconfirmed, but it is believed the couple were married around July 1589.
thedudleywomen
Jul 5, 20255 min read


The Execution of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex - 25 February 1601
On 25 February 1601, 35 year-old Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, was taken to a scaffold that had been erected within the Tower of London, and executed after being found guilty of high treason for his primary role in the failed 'Essex's Rebellion' earlier in the month.
thedudleywomen
Feb 25, 20256 min read


ON THIS DAY - 17 September 1564
On This Day 17 Sep 1564, it is believed that Dorothy Devereux was born at Chartley Manor, Staffordshire.
thedudleywomen
Sep 17, 20241 min read
![© The Dudley Women [taken Mar 2024 at Market Hall Museum, Warwick]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ed9b82_4c94b5a88f2441978764a2549221b8b1~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_333,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/ed9b82_4c94b5a88f2441978764a2549221b8b1~mv2.webp)
![© The Dudley Women [taken Mar 2024 at Market Hall Museum, Warwick]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ed9b82_4c94b5a88f2441978764a2549221b8b1~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/ed9b82_4c94b5a88f2441978764a2549221b8b1~mv2.webp)
The Sheldon Tapestry Maps, c.1590s
From 1574, cartographer Christopher Saxton (born c.1540, in Dewsbury, Yorkshire), began a survey of England...
thedudleywomen
Apr 12, 20246 min read
![© amthomson [Flickr]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ed9b82_8aedc22207c84995a0c91428d527935b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_333,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/ed9b82_8aedc22207c84995a0c91428d527935b~mv2.webp)
![© amthomson [Flickr]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ed9b82_8aedc22207c84995a0c91428d527935b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/ed9b82_8aedc22207c84995a0c91428d527935b~mv2.webp)
Sir Christopher Blount (c.1555 - 18 March 1601)
Sir Christopher Blount, born c.1555, was the second son of Thomas Blount of Kidderminster (c.1525-1568) and his wife Margery Poley.
thedudleywomen
Mar 18, 20247 min read
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