In October 1562, less than three years after her accession to the throne, Elizabeth I contracted the highly-infectious smallpox virus, which led to her becoming critically ill, and subsequently raised questions in relation to the succession of the English monarchy.

On This Day (09 August) in 1586, Mary Dudley, Lady Sidney, sister of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester and Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick, and former Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber and close confidant of Queen Elizabeth I, died.

On This Day (29 March) in 1551, Lady Mary Dudley, daughter of John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, married Sir Henry Sidney.

On 01 February 1555, the funeral of Jane Guildford, Duchess of Northumberland, widow of John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, was held at Chelsea Old Church. 'Brass Plate Monument of the Duchess of Northumberland and Her Daughters, Chelsea Church'. Artist: Daniel Lyons, 1796-1811 © Yale Center for British Art Jane died in January 1555; two dates have been given for her death - 15 January (as given at her PostMortem Inquisition) and 22 January (as recorded on the marble ins

On This Day (17 Nov) in 1558, Mary I, Queen of England, died at St James's Palace, possibly from uterine cancer.

On This Day (27 Oct) 1561, Mary Sidney, Countess of Pembroke, was born at Tickenhall Manor, Bewdley.

On This Day (25 Oct) in 1562, Elizabeth I resumed her normal duties whilst at Hampton Court Palace.

On This Day (21 Oct) in 1554, John Dudley, 2nd Earl of Warwick, son of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, died at Penshurst Place, Kent.

Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester had a complex relationship with the Queen of England, Elizabeth I, throughout most of her reign.

On This Day (27 Aug) in 1562, Margaret St John, Lady Russell, Countess of Bedford, died from smallpox at Woburn Abbey.

Kenilworth Castle (otherwise known as 'Killingworth' or 'Killinwoorth') in Warwickshire, was a 12th century stone castle.

After reading 'The House of Dudley' by Dr Joanne Paul (2022), which first introduced me to the one of the illustrations below, I was able to locate the full 'Codex' online. This manuscript documents the genealogy of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester (1532-1588). It was written in c.1572, likely on his appointment as lieutenant of the Order of the Garter.