Good Queen Bess

A melancholy BSS today (I guess you could say I’m in a bit of a mood given recent events). This is an excerpt of a letter that Elizabeth wrote to the Earl of Shrewsbury sometime in September 1588 after he wrote to her first to congratulate her on the victory over the Spanish Armada in August but also to offer his condolences for her recent bereavement – Robert Dudley died on the 4th September, barely a few weeks after the Armada had been scattered. Normally the death of a courtier would not necessarily beget letters of condolences to the monarch, but Robert was a special case and everyone knew it. Even his own nephew, Robert Sidney, was wary of attending court too soon after his uncle’s death, knowing the shockwave it would have caused.

CATE BLANCHETT as ELIZABETH I

ELIZABETH 

Full disclosure, this tidbit of information comes purely from a podcast that Joanne Paul did in 2025 on Not Just the Tudors, so I haven't looked deeply into it myself, but my understanding is that this occurred literally in the very first few days of Elizabeth's reign, possibly even just before Mary died. According to Paul in her book, Cecil drew up a list of men who he thought would be good servants and what positions he thought they'd be most useful in - for Robert, he thought he would make a useful ambassador in France and that isn't for no reason. Robert had been to France before (albeit for war), was well educated, an expert in court manners, and could speak the language so it made sense. At this point in time, Cecil would have only had limited interaction with Robert himself, although he had been in the service of Robert's father. As there's no evidence of any scandalous relationship between Elizabeth and Robert before 1559, Cecil would have had no real reason for wanting them apart. He just figured this would be a sensible position for him.

But Elizabeth had the last word when it came to who she wanted closely serving her and her decision to have Robert be Master of the Horse overruled Cecil's recommendation. This position also made sense for him as his older brother (now dead) held the same position during Edward's reign and Robert had a natural flair for drama, which helped with the work associated with that position. At that point, Robert and Elizabeth had a positive relationship, so its no wonder she wanted him close by.

If anything, the only reason might have felt cautious around Robert is more because he might have been nervous that Robert would want to take revenge for Cecil effectively abandoning Northumberland when the going got tough. He would have had no way of knowing that that would end up being the least of his worries when it came to Robert.

BETTE DAVIS as QUEEN ELIZABETH

THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX (1939)

I’m a million years late to this trend, but after seeing Robert’s last letter to Elizabeth in The National Archives’ exhibition, Love Letters, I couldn’t help myself.

Robert’s last letter never fails to make me a bit emotional. Not because there’s any grand declaration of love in there - in fact, its simplicity and mundane nature is what makes it so touching with me. Robert was on his way to take the waters at Buxton for his health. He stopped at Rycote along the way to rest and to pen this letter to Elizabeth. It’s just a “checking in” letter, updating her on his progress and asking after her health. It reminds me of the update texts we might send our loved ones during our own travels. The letter is filled with small references to their lifelong bond - Robert uses “eyes” symbol as an affectionate nudge towards her nickname for him, Rycote is a place he and Elizabeth spent many happy moments together with their friends, the Norrises. And at the end of the letter, Robert mentions that he receives a token Elizabeth sent after him as he was writing. She clearly was thinking about him.

CATE BLANCHETT as ELIZABETH I

ELIZABETH 

Meanwhile, Leicester:

But, sir, whatsoever become of me, give me leave to speak for the poor soldiers. If they be not better maintained, being in this strange country, there will neither be good service done, nor be without great dishonour to her Majesty, and the less she shall send at once the more unprofitable for her, and she shall find it so...There was no soldier yet able to buy himself a pair of hose and it is to great shame to see how they go, and it kills their hearts to show themselves among men.

and:

I assure you it will fret me to death ere long to see my soldiers in this case and cannot help them. I cry now, peace! Peace! For never was there such a war and a cause so slenderly countenanced.

Becoming Elizabeth + Costumes

Elizabeth Tudor's pink, golden & brown dress in Episode 07.

The talk with Joanne Paul and Nicola Clark was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, Joanne thinks that Robert Devereux wouldn't have lived even if Robert Dudley had lived. Which is too bad. I would like to think that maybe Robert could've kept his stepson in line. She and Nikki also talked quite a bit about Douglas Howard and Robert's relationship. Comparing them to Romeo and Juliet at one point. I'm curious are there any good books that cover Douglas and Robert's relationship? I don't think I've ever seen a good biography on her.

I'm glad it was a good time! Honestly, I could see it going either way, Essex was just such a chaotic and unpredictable person. Robert's presence may have restrained him for a while, but he may not have been able to change Essex's fate all that much, especially if Essex eventually grew tired of living in Leicester's shadow.