Tag Archives: Leicester House

Living on The Strand

Posted on November 11, 2023 by Christine Hartweg

The Elizabethan aristocracy, when in London, resided on the Strand. If you could afford to live in one of the former bishop’s palaces between the street called The Strand and the bank of the Thames (and rebuild them) you had … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Dudley, Elizabeth I, family & marriage, John Dudley, Lettice Knollys, Robert Dudley | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lettice in the Theatre

Posted on April 29, 2023 by Christine Hartweg

On 4 September 1588 Lettice, Countess of Leicester (née Lettice Knollys), became a widow for the second time. She was never to regain Queen Elizabeth’s favour, but was still left a wealthy lady. Robert Dudley had appointed her executrix of … Continue reading →

Posted in Elizabeth I, Lettice Knollys, Robert Dudley | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Lettice and Elizabeth

Posted on November 13, 2022 by Christine Hartweg

On 3 March 1600 Rowland White wrote from the court that “[y]esterday the Countess of Leicester sent the Queen a most curious gown.” He reported that “Her Majesty liked it well.” Alas, she “did not accept or refuse it[,] only … Continue reading →

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Leicester as Stepfather

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Christine Hartweg

Robert Dudley was fond of children.1 As a young uncle he had taken a fancy to his five-year-old nephew Philip Sidney, an affection which lasted for a lifetime; when he visited William of Orange in 1582 the prince’s wife was … Continue reading →

Posted in family & marriage, Lettice Knollys, Netherlands, paintings, Robert Dudley | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Great Love: Lettice and Robert Dudley

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Christine Hartweg

Lettice, Viscountess Hereford, ‟one of the best-looking ladies of the court“, was 21 and pregnant with her third child, when she attracted the attentions of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Queen Elizabeth’s great favourite and long-term suitor (and lover, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Elizabeth I, errors & myths, family & marriage, Lettice Knollys, Robert Dudley | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Little Lord Denbigh

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Christine Hartweg

In the spring or early summer of 1584 a toddler strolled in the great gallery of Leicester House, his father’s palatial London residence. At some point the little boy climbed a stool before a painting and started embellishing it. Some … Continue reading →

Posted in Elizabeth I, family & marriage, letters, Lettice Knollys, Robert Dudley | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Countess Lettice At Home

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Christine Hartweg

In the hours following his very private wedding ceremony in the morning of Sunday, 21 September 1578, the Earl of Leicester changed the agenda and started preparing the household for the queen’s visit two days later. The new Countess of … Continue reading →

Posted in Elizabeth I, family & marriage, Lettice Knollys, paintings, Robert Dudley, Sir Robert Dudley | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment