by Suzette Baker

Created on: July 09, 2009   Last Updated: January 25, 2012

Amy Robsart Dudley, the daughter of wealthy landowner Sir John Robsart and his wife Elizabeth Scott, was born June 7, 1532 in Norfolk, England. Elizabeth, the daughter of John Scott of Camberwell, was an heiress who inherited the Manor of Stanfield in Norfolk. The rest was left to her son John who one of four children from her previous marriage to Roger Appleyard, Lord of the Manor of Stanfield. While little is known about Amy’s character, it has been said that she was a charming if not quiet lady.

Amy Robsart Appleyard and Robert Dudley were united in marriage on June 5, 1550. The wedding which took place at the royal palace of Sheen near London was a grand affair attended by King Edward VI and Elizabeth Tudor. At the time of her marriage, Amy was about 18 years old. During the early years of their marriage that were evidently spent in Norfolk, Robert was well-known when it came to public affairs. While her husband was away, Amy remained at home where she began gaining both beneficial appointments and property.

Robert Dudley did not possess a desire for land management. Instead, he had his eye set on nobility in the court of England. The ascension of Elizabeth I to the throne only served to complicate matters even further. Robert, who had ambitions of getting to the throne himself, began spending more time at court and soon became a favorite of the queen. Since Robert had known Elizabeth since childhood, her accession gave the Dudley’s the opportunity to climb the social ladder.

Meanwhile, Amy, who was not allowed to attend court, was living mostly in the country. By 1560, still without a home of her own, she began living at Cumnor Place in Oxfordshire. The Hall was built in the 14th century by the monks of Abington, Abbey. Although it remains unknown as to how much news of her husband's scandalous affair with Elizabeth actually reached Amy's ears, she was aware of the scandal. This is evident by a report from her maid servant who reported hearing Lady Amy pray nightly for God to deliver her from the situation.

On September 8, 1560, Amy sent all of her servants to the Abington Fair while she stayed home. Some say she did not go to the fair because it was held on a Sunday. With the servants gone for the day, the only people left in the house were Amy, her companion Mrs. Oddingsell, Mrs. Owens, the mother of the previous owner of Cumnor Place, Mrs. Forster, who was the wife of the current owner. It is possible that some of the servants remained at

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>