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and the Queen. Indeed his life was improving.

Robert was given the title Master of the Horse and Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1558. It's at this point that things for Amy may have taken a deadly turn. It is well speculated that Elizabeth and Robert had a more than friendly relationship. He was very well favoured by the the Queen, and possibly in an effort not to anger her by throwing his marriage in her face he continued to keep Amy in the country at Cumnor Place.

On the day of Our Lady's Fair in Abingdon, September 8, 1560, Amy dismissed her servants so they could attend the fair. Amy remained at the house with her companion, Mrs. Oddingsell, Mrs. Owens, an elderly woman who was the mother of the previous owner of the house, and Mrs. Forster, who was married to the current owner. It's possible that several of their servants remained at the house but they would have been attending to them and not Amy at the time. When those who had attended the fair came home they found Amy lying at the bottom of the stairs leading from her room with her neck broken.

It's suspected that perhaps Amy suffered from some ailment like breast cancer or a aortic aneyrism, and this could have lead to a fainting spell while she was near the stairs. Her bones, brittle from the illness, wouldn't take much impact to snap. However rumors much darker than simple illness began to surface almost immediately.

It was thought that Robert Dudley arranged the murder of his wife. By getting rid of her he freed himself from marriage so he could wed Elizabeth. It is awfully suspicious that upon hearing of his wife's death he refused to leave court, but instead sent a friend to handle the details of her passing. He didn't even attend her funeral. But knowing that a suspicious death like that wouldn't be in his favor, and prevent him from marrying Elizabeth anyway, it's likely he didn't do it.

Robert and Elizabeth were both told that Amy was dead together and history dictates that they both were equally and honestly shocked. Still, it's suspect that Elizabeth herself could have ordered an 'accident' to befall Countess. It's even suggested that Elizabeth's secretary William Cecil may have put the hit out on her. He was a bit disgruntled, having lost his favor with the Queen once Robert Dudley caught her eye. He must have known that a scandal surrounding Robert would prevent him from becoming King consort, and thus had the most likely motive.

Her death continues to be a mystery to historians. Some have wondered if perhaps she planned her own death and that's why she was so adamant that her servants leave for the day. After all, her husband had all but deserted her for the Queen, leaving her with a broken heart and a lonely existence. Whatever the cause and whomever may be at fault we will likely never know the truth.

Learn more about this author, Danielle Friedl.
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