Amy Robsart was born on 07 Jun 1532 in Norfolk, the only child from the marriage of Sir John Robsart of Syderstone, and his wife Elizabeth Scott, her date of birth later proudly recorded by her father. She was likely raised at Stanfield Hall, near Wymondham, along with her older half-siblings from her mother's first marriage to Roger Appleyard.
Amy's half-siblings were all married into respectable Norfolk families, including her half-sister Frances, who married William Flowerdew, son of Sir John Flowerdew. He had played a role in the dissolution of Wymondham Abbey, and in 1549 was employed as Sir John Robsart's steward. Both had longstanding disagreements with another landowner Roberrt Kett, which came to a head the summer of 1549. A group of rebals rose up against local landowners, incluidng Flowerdew and Kett, protesting against boundaries in response to the national agriculatural crisis. Instead of condemning their actions, Kett joined the rebels, with the rebellion gathering strength, swelling to around 16,000. The rebellion began in Wymondham in early Jul 1549, and soon spread to the nearby city of Norwich, where the rebels set up camp in nearby Mousehold Heath.
Robert Dudley was himself the 5th son of John Dudley and his wife Jane Guildford, who was born a few weeks after Amy, on the 24 Jun 1532, likely in or around London. His father at the time of his birth, had had previous military and diplomatic experience, although he had not yet been able to show his (perceived) full potential. However, during Robert's childhood, his father's profile within Royal circles grew, including him being appointed the titles (and associated lands and wealth) of 'Viscount Lisle' in 1542, 'Earl of Warwick' in 1546, and finally 'Duke of Northumberland' in 1551. He was also a key member of the Regency Council, during the reign of Edward VI, and initially a close ally of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector. It was 'Somerset' who sent his friend 'Warwick' to Norfolk in the summer of 1549, at the head of an army, to quell the rebellion taking hold.
Amy and Robert's first meeting appears to have come in Aug 1549, when Robert and his older brother Ambrose went to Norfolk, under the supervision of their father the Earl of Warwick. The brothers were housed at Sir John Robsart's home at Stanfield Hall, where Amy was also residing, with the rest of the 14,000-strong army camped on his lands. Conflict between the two sides lasted until the end of Aug 1549, when the rebels were defeated, and the rebel leaders, including Robert Kett, arrested and later executed after being found guilty of treason.
On 20 May 1550, a marriage contract was drawn up between Sir John Robsart and John Dudley agreeing the conditions for the marriage of their children, both of whom would turn 18 the following month, as well as stipulations for Amy's inheritance. Their wedding was arranged two weeks later on 04 Jun 1550, the day after the marriage of John Dudley, the eldest surviving son of the Earl of Warwick and elder brother of Robert, to Anne Seymour, eldest daughter of Edward Seymour, the recently displaced Lord Protector Duke of Somerset. The wedding of Amy and Robert was a less elaborate affair than that of his brother's, which had also taken place at Whitehall Palace, although King Edward VI attended the second celebration.
William Cecil, who at the time was employed as the Earl of the Warwick's Private Secretary,, was later said to be critical of this union, calling it a 'carnal marriage'. This was said to be proof that this marriage was a 'love match'. Amy, whilst the daughter and heir of a land-owner in Norfolk, was further down the social-ladder than Robert; his siblings had made matches with children of Earls and members of the King's inner circle, and Robert's father was himself rising to become the most powerful man in England as Lord President of the Regency Council. As shown in the strategic marriage with his younger brother Guildford to Jane Grey in 1553, being a younger son still had its uses to their father and ambitions for their family. Whilst having allies in Norfolk following Ketts Rebellion (ie the Robsarts and Flowerdews) would have been beneficial to John Dudley, Robert had the potential to make a more socially advantageous one.. Also, as highlighted by Skidmore (2010), 17/18yo was young in Tudor England for marriage, the average age for Tudor men being 24yo, this being another supporting factor for this marriage being a 'love match'.
Following their marriage, the couple initially residing in Norfolk, prior to moving to London, including at Ely Place, the London residence of Robert's parents, which came into their possession following an Act of Attainder following Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset's execution for treason in Jan 1552. From Dec 1552-Jul 1553, Robert was appointed as the 'Official Keeper' of Somerset Place, the palatial house on The Strand, which had also been confiscated from Edward Seymour and had been granted to the King's half-sister 'the Lady Elizabeth'; Robert and Amy resided in this newly completed palatial residence during this time.
Robert Dudley was arrested in Jul 1553, along with other members of his family due to their prominent roles in the attempt to place their in-law Lady Jane Grey on the throne of England, in place of the late King Edward VI's half-sister Mary. Robert was held at the Tower of London, along with three of his brothers; he was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death in Jan 1554, but was later released from the Tower in Oct 1554, and pardoned in Jan 1555. During his period of imprisonment in the Tower, Amy was known to have been able to visit him (including in Sep 1553), and appears to have continued residing in London with her female Dudley in-laws at this time.
Following his release and pardon, Amy and Robert were again separated in Aug 1557, when Robert (along with his older brothers Ambrose and Henry) were sent to France, fighting in the Battle of St Quentin for Philip II, proving their loyalty to the monarchs who had granted their pardons. Henry lost his life in the battle, although all surviving Dudley siblings' rights and inheritances were later restored by Mary I, with Robert securing a place in the court until her death in Nov 1558.
Immediately following the accession of Elizabeth I, Robert was granted a high-profile place within the new Elizabethan court; he was made the new Queen's 'Master of the Horse', against the wishes of William Cecil, who himself had been made the Queen's Chief Minister. Following this promotion, and Robert's apparent increasing closeness to the Queen, Amy's marriage was breaking down. The couple had been separated for many months, with Amy residing at the homes of friends and family, prior to a long lease being taken out by Robert in Dec 1559 for Cumnor Place, Oxfordshire, with Robert remaining in London, either at his new home in Kew, or travelling with the Royal Court. There were discussions at this time about Robert wanting to marry Elizabeth, with contemporary speculations about the health (and life-expectancy) of Amy; some historians suspecting that she may have been showing signs of breast cancer, in addition to depression.
Amy was found dead at the bottom of the stairs at Cumnor Place on 08 Sep 1560, in suspicious circumstances; however, whilst there has been speculation (both contemporaneously and latterly by historians) about the cause of Amy's death (with suicide/an intentional act being the most favourable one), Amy's death was ruled an accident by a Coroner's Inquest.
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