The Marriage of Amy Robsart and Robert Dudley - 04 June 1550
- thedudleywomen
- Jun 4, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: May 28
Amy Robsart was born on 07 June 1532 in Norfolk, the only child born from the marriage of Sir John Robsart of Syderstone, and his wife Elizabeth Scott, Amy's 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 (Hartweg, 2017).
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 Robert Kett, which came to a head the summer of 1549. A group of rebels rose up against local landowners, including 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 July 1549, and soon spread to the nearby city of Norwich, where the rebels set up camp in nearby Mousehold Heath (Hartweg, 2017; Paul, 2022).
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 June 1532, likely in or around London. His father at the time of his birth, had undertaken 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, '1st Earl of Warwick' in 1546, and finally '1st Duke of Northumberland' in 1551. He was also a key member of the Regency Council, during the reign of Edward VI; he was one of sixteen men of the Privy Council chosen by a dying Henry VIII to govern during Edward's minority, and initially a close ally of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, who quickly emerged as head of the Council, as 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 in the county (Paul, 2022).
Amy and Robert's first meeting appears to have come in August 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 August 1549, when the rebels were defeated, and the rebel leaders, including Robert Kett, arrested and later executed, after being found guilty of treason. Shortly following the quashed rebellion, members of the Regency Council, disillusioned with Somerset's policies and leadership, moved to remove him from his position as Lord Protector; lead by his old friend and ally Warwick, Somerset was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London in October 1549, with Warwick emerging as head of the Regency Council, adopting the title of Lord President in February 1550 (Paul, 2022).
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 eighteen the following month, as well as stipulations for Amy's inheritance. Their wedding was held two weeks later, on 04 June 1550, the day after the marriage of John Dudley, the eldest surviving son of the Earl of Warwick and elder brother of Robert; John had married twelve-year-old Anne Seymour, the eldest daughter of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, recently released from the Tower of London and admitted back into the Privy Council, albeit in a significantly-less important role. The wedding of Amy and Robert was a less elaborate affair than that of his older brother's, which had also taken place at Richmond Palace. The marriage between John and Anne, which had taken place in the presence of Anne's cousin Edward VI, was intended to strengthen allegiances between the two families, relationships having been fractured since Somerset's removal from power. Robert and Amy were married within the chapel at Richmond, following which entertainments were held, including blood sports and fighting; whilst they have been described as "less vigarous" than the previous day's events, they continued to entertain the young king, who was also in attendance (Paul, 2022, p.200).
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', rather than an arranged union between families. 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), the couple's ages of 17 and 18 was still relatively young in Tudor England for marriage, the average age for Tudor men being 24 years old, this being further evidence of a 'love match'. There has been no uncertainty that their marriage was not consummated immediately after, given their ages and known affection for each other (Paul, 2022).
Following their marriage, the couple initially resided in Norfolk, prior to moving to London; they were known to have resided at Ely Place, the London residence of Robert's parents, which had come into their possession following an Act of Attainder following Somerset's execution for treason in January 1552. From December 1552 until July 1553, Robert was appointed as the 'Official Keeper' of Somerset Place, the palatial house on The Strand, which had also been confiscated from Somerset and had been granted to the king's half-sister 'Lady Elizabeth', who would later feature heavily in the couple's lives; Robert and Amy were known to have resided in this newly completed palatial residence during this time (Hartweg, 2017; Skidmore, 2010).
Robert Dudley was arrested in July 1553, along with other members of his family due to the prominent roles they played in their attempts 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 January 1554, but was later released from the Tower in October 1554, and pardoned in January 1555. During his period of imprisonment in the Tower, Amy was known to have been able to visit him (including in September 1553), and appears to have continued residing in London potentially with her mother-in-law, Jane Guildford, Duchess of Northumberland, and the other wives of Robert's brothers (Skidmore, 2010).
Following his release and pardon, Amy and Robert were again separated in August 1557, when Robert (along with his 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. Young Harry lost his life in the battle, although all surviving Dudley siblings's' rights and inheritances were later restored by Mary I, with Robert securing a place in the court until her death in November 1558 (Paul, 2022).
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, the couple's marriage began to break down. Robert and Amy had been separated for many months; Amy was known to have resided at the homes of friends and family, prior to a long lease being taken out by Robert in December 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 rumours at court at this time surrounding Robert wanting to marry Elizabeth, with accompanying 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 (Gristwood, 2007; Skidmore, 2010).
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