Leicester, Robert Dudley, Earl of, 1532?-1588

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1532? - 1588

Biography

Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, (1532?–1588) was an English statesman and the favorite of Elizabeth I from her accession until his death. He was a suitor for the Queen's hand for many years. In 1564, Dudley became Earl of Leicester and, from 1563, one of the greatest landowners in North Wales and the English West Midlands by royal grants. Leicester was one of Elizabeth's leading statesmen, involved in domestic as well as foreign politics alongside William Cecil Burghley and Francis Walsingham. As patron of the Puritan movement, he supported non-conforming preachers but tried to mediate between them and the bishops of the Church of England. A champion also of the international Protestant cause, he led the English campaign in support of the Dutch Revolt (1585–87).

Citation:

His Correspondence of Robert Dudley, earl of Leycester, 1844: t.p. (Robert Dudley, earl of Leycester) [Info. from InU]

DNB (Dudley, Robert, Earl of Leicester, 1532?-1588)

Jebb, S. The life of Robert, Earl of Leicester, the favourite of Queen Elizabeth, 1727

Wikipedia, via WWW, Dec. 17, 2020 (Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, (1532?–1588) was an English statesman and the favourite of Elizabeth I from her accession until his death. He was a suitor for the Queen's hand for many years. In 1564, Dudley became Earl of Leicester and, from 1563, one of the greatest landowners in North Wales and the English West Midlands by royal grants. Leicester was one of Elizabeth's leading statesmen, involved in domestic as well as foreign politics alongside William Cecil and Francis Walsingham. As patron of the Puritan movement, he supported non-conforming preachers but tried to mediate between them and the bishops of the Church of England. A champion also of the international Protestant cause, he led the English campaign in support of the Dutch Revolt (1585–87).)

Found in 9 Collections and/or Records:

Robert Beale collection of letters

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: Vault MSS 457

Scope and Contents Official correspondence of the Kingdom of England and Wales in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, found among the personal papers of Robert Beale. Most letters are either by him or to him. They deal with the earliest years of the Dutch Republic and the part played by England in the Dutch revolt. Many of the letters were also originally addressed to Sir Francis Walsingham (1530-1590), Beale's brother-in-law, and Elizabeth's Secretary of State. Four letters are addressed to Robert Dudley, Earl...

Dates: 1569-1592

Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections