ON THIS DAY - 10 October 1562

On This Day (10 Oct) 1562, Elizabeth I was at Hampton Court when she started to feel unwell; she reportedly took a bath and went for a walk outdoors in an attempt to improve her health and ease her symptoms. However, within hours she had taken to her bed with a fever.

'Elizabeth I'; unknown artist, c.1560 © Queen's College, Cambridge

German Physician Dr Burcot believed the queen was suffering from smallpox; this highly infectious viral disease had spread through London and the Royal Court earlier in the summer, claiming the lives of many, including one of Elizabeth's ladies Margaret St John [Russell], Countess of Bedford. However, the doctor's concerns were initially dismissed, due to the lack of customary lesions normally associated with the illness. It is known now that a rash and lesions can take up to 10 days to form, following the initial infection.

'View of Hampton Court Palace from the South, with the River in the Foreground'; Artist: Anthonis van den Wijngaerde, Year: 1558 © Ashmolean Museum Oxford

By 16 Oct, Elizabeth's health had significantly declined: her fever had worsened, and she was falling in and out of consciousness, being incapable of speech. Smallpox was subsequently confirmed, and Dr Burcot was persuaded by the queen's cousin, Henry Carey, Lord Hundson, to resume his planned treatment.

Whilst Elizabeth stood on the precipice of death, discussions took place in regards to the queen's potential successor. There were clear divisions and religious factions forming within her Privy Council, with support by Catholics given to the claim of Mary, Queen of Scots, whilst Protestant/Reformist members championing claims of the imprisoned Katherine Grey, as well as Elizabeth's favourite, Robert Dudley.