by Dean Traylor

Created on: January 21, 2010   Last Updated: February 12, 2012

She was an heiress, wife of a powerful Lord, and a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I; however, Amy Dudley’s most famous contribution to history was dying under mysterious circumstances.

Her death set off a scandal and had the potential of destroying a queen’s reputation, as well as ending the political career of her husband, Lord Robert Dudley. And, through it all, questions were being asked: did she die of cancer, an accident, or murder? Speculations about her death have never been resolved, even nearly 500 years after her life was cut too short.

In her short life, Lady Amy Robsart (as she was known) appeared to have it all. She was a wealthy heiress from Norfolk, England who got married at the age of eighteen to the son of John Dudley, the 1st Duke of Northumberland. Her husband, Lord Robert Dudley, would eventually become part of Queen Elizabeth’s court. Her brother-in-law – Robert’s younger brother - Guilford, had married Lady Jane Grey who would eventually become queen for nine days.

Although it appeared she was living a life of wealth and privilege, she was also a pawn in one man’s quest for power. The Duke was looking to consolidate his influences in Norfolk. The marriage of his son to the daughter of a wealthy landowner in the area, Sir John Robsart, helped him accomplish this task. By all accounts, the marriage between Lord Robert and Lady Amy was an arranged marriage that only benefited the Duke.

The couple was married June 4, 1550 with the young King Edward VI in attendance. Thing, however, soon took a turn for the worst. King Edward VI died, and Robert was imprisoned in the Tower of London for fifteen months. This came as a result of his father’s action to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne.

The incoming queen, Elizabeth I, tried to do away with Lady Jane, Guilford, the Duke and Robert. Robert was condemned to death, but King Phillip II of Spain and England’s king consort interceded and spared his life. Through this crisis, Lady Amy stood by her man, visiting him – with the help of the Privy Council – during his period.

 By all accounts, Lady Amy and Lord Robert had every reason to despise the new queen. And, the Queen had reasons to not trust the couple. However, events soon took a different turn.

Lord Robert became part of the queen’s court. On top of that, rumors swirled that he and the Queen were lovers. In fact, in 1559, several diplomats reported that some members of the court

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