Robert Dudley

Robert Dudley (1532-1588), Earl of Leicester, was an English statesman, Queen Elizabeth's favourite, fifth son of the Duke of Northumberland. He won the queen's favour by his handsome appearance and courtly address. He received many offices and honours, and on the death, under suspicious circumstances, of his Countess, Amy Robsart, aspired to her hand. Still favoured, in spite of his unpopularity in the country, he was proposed as husband to Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1563. He married the dowager Lady Sheffield in 1573, and afterwards bigamously the Countess of Essex. After a short term of disfavour he was appointed commander in the Netherlands, and subsequently at Tilbury Fort, but proved an incapable soldier.

Nearby pages
Robert Edward Lee, Robert Emmet, Robert Ferguson, Robert Fergusson, Robert Ferrar, Robert Fitzroy