KEY EVENTS
​
30 Jul 1553 - Lady Elizabeth (later Elizabeth I) rides out from Somerset House, to meet her half-sister, the newly proclaimed Queen Mary I at Wanstead Hall.
​
1578 - Wanstead Hall purchased by ROBERT DUDLEY, 1st Earl of Leicester, from Robert Rich, 1st Baron Rich.
21 Sep 1578 - Secret marriage between ROBERT DUDLEY and LETTICE KNOLLYS at Wanstead Hall; married at 7 in the morning in presence of only 6 witnesses (including AMBROSE DUDLEY and FRANCIS KNOLLYS).
23 Sep 1578 - Elizabeth I arrives at Wanstead Hall, as part of summer progress of East Anglia, on return to London (is not informed of marriage).
Jul 1584 - Death of ROBERT DUDLEY and LETTICE KNOLLYS' only son Robert Dudley, Lord Denbigh, aged 3yo, at Wanstead Hall; funeral held at Wanstead on 01 Aug 1584, and later entombed in Beauchamp Chapel, St Mary's Church, Warwick.
04 Sep 1588 - Death of ROBERT DUDLEY; ownership of Wanstead Hall (and it's possessions) passes to widow LETTICE KNOLLYS as per his will.
​
1590 - Wanstead Hall bestowed on ROBERT DEVEREUX, 2nd Earl of Essex, by mother LETTICE KNOLLYS and new husband CHRISTOPHER BLOUNT; known to have spent much of his time at Wanstead Hall following his disgrace at court.
​
1598 - Wanstead Hall sold to Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy; he is a distant cousin of CHRISTOPHER BLOUNT, and the man LETTICE KNOLLYS' daughter PENELOPE DEVEREUX has been having extramarital affair with (and children) since c.1592.
​
26 Dec 1605 - Private marriage ceremony of PENELOPE DEVEREUX and Charles Blount (now 1st Earl of Devonshire) at Wanstead Hall; marriage undertaken in defiance of canon law, following Penelope's divorce from Robert Rich, 3rd Baron Rich the previous month, following admission of adultery with Blount and illegitimate children.
03 Apr 1606 - Death of Charles Blount at Savoy House in London; body is returned to Wanstead Hall, prior to burial at Westminster Abbey.
