Amy Robsart

Amy Robsart (1534 - 1550 September 8) was an English noble woman, who is mainly known for her death under controversial circumstances.

Related Topics:
1534 - 1550 - September 8 - English

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Amy born in Norfolk, and was the daughter of a wealthy landowner, Sir John Robsart. The Robsarts were the neighbors of the Dudley family, whose patriarch was John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland and one of the regents during the reign of King Edward VI of England.

Related Topics:
Norfolk - John Robsart - Patriarch - John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland - Regents - Edward VI of England

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When she was 17, Amy married Robert Dudley, a younger son of Northumberland. (Northumberland's eldest son Guilford, married Lady Jane Grey, who was Queen of England for nine days.) The betrothal between Amy and Robert Dudley appeared to be a love match, since both families were wealthy. Also, their marriage contract stated that they would be wed only if they did "condescend and agree" to the match.

Related Topics:
Robert Dudley - Guilford - Lady Jane Grey - Queen of England - Betrothal

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The wedding was held with Edward VI in attendance, but soon proved to be an unhappy marriage. Dudley spent most of his time at court with the new queen, Elizabeth I. He did not allow Amy to come to court, as he did not wish to remind the Queen her favorite was a married man. Early in 1560 Amy was living in the manor Cumnor Place, near Abingdon. . The house was owned by friends of Dudley, some of whom lived with Amy. Although legend has it she was a sort of prisoner, it is more likely she had complete freedom of movement.

Related Topics:
Elizabeth I - 1560 - Cumnor Place - Abingdon

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Amy is best known for her death, which occurred on September 8, 1560. She told all her household to attend the fair at Abingdon. When they returned, they found Amy lying dead at the foot of the house's staircase, her neck broken. Charges of murder were levelled at Dudley, the implication being he had Amy murdered to clear his way to marry the Queen. At the very least, Dudley's critics speculated Amy committed suicide over her husband's infidelity. The enquiry was headed by Dudley's brother-in-law, Sir Henry Sidney, and he was cleared.

Related Topics:
September 8 - 1560 - Henry Sidney

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Modern forensic historians cite contemporary accounts of Amy complaining of pain in her chest, leading to a possible diagnosis of breast cancer. This could explain Amy's falling down the stairs, or wishing to kill herself. Cancer can also cause porous bones, which could have caused her neck to break under only limited strain, such as might occur coming down a staircase.

Related Topics:
Breast cancer - Cancer - Porous bones

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In any event, the scandal surrounding Amy's death was enough to discourage the Queen from marrying Dudley.

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Her story was used by Sir Walter Scott in his novel Kenilworth. There is also a painting Amy Robsart, which shows her body lying at the bottom of the stairs, and two suspicious-looking men lurking in the shadows looking on.

Related Topics:
Sir Walter Scott - Kenilworth

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