The Queen of England Elizabeth I (rules from 1558 to 1603), as is known, was never married, steadyly kept his chastity and bluled his reputation. Since Elizabeth had no children, the throne then moved to the son of her cousin, the King of Scotland Yakov VI, who later became the king of England Yakov I.
Elizavet was often called the "queen-virgin", and she, as you know, declared: "I will have only one lover (having in mind), and there will be no owner."
However, both during its board and now, many researchers are wondering if Elizabeth lovers did not have lovers, in particular, implying Robert Dudley, Graph Lester.
Portrait of Elizabeth I with sieve in hand. Here the Queen is depicted in the form of Vascchi Vaddaki, which has proven its chastity, a sieve with water from tiber to the temple of Vesta. It is surrounded by the symbols of the imperial greatness, including the column with the imperial crown at the base and the globe. Portrait written on a globe stand in 1583
Personal life Elizabeth was so secretful that the King of France at one time said that it was one of the three great mysteries in Europe.
Elizavet and Robert Dudley knew each other since childhood. His father, the duke of Northumberland, was a Lord-Protector (Regent) during the short-range board of the consolidated brother Elizabeth, King Eduard VI.
Robert Dudley, Graf Leicester, approximately 1564
Later, Robert was imprisoned and sentenced to death in 1553 Maria I, Senior Soviet Sister Elizabeth, after the attempt of his father John Dudley to arrange a coup against Queen (Father Robert, his brother Gilford, and his wife Jane Gray executed, and Robert And other sons of John, a year and a half, imprisonment were released). During the stay of Robert in Tower, there was also in conclusion and Elizabeth, which Maria suspected of conspiracy against her.
Elizabeth lived in constant fear for his life during his sister's throne, and Robert entertained her, as he could. They spent many hours together and found several common interests, including dancing and hunting. This friendship has become a source of many woven at the court, especially when Robert married.
Maria I.
In 1558, when Maria I died and Elizabeth I went to the throne, Robert was appointed her string. This position, which was quite prestigious, also meant Robert regularly met the Queen.
However, her new role meant that they could no longer meet alone. Not only the royal family, but also the whole kingdom, and other countries now they were watching. Somehow Elizabeth said: "Thousands of eyes see everything I do."
Coronation Procession Elizabeth: Robert Dudley Riding Horse On Left
Despite the fact that the Elizavet had a constant pressure so that she married and gave birth to the heir, Elizabeth resolutely refused to do this, and was completely clear that Robert was her favorite. In her palace, Robert took the neighboring chambers of the Queen room, which caused a scandal in England and Europe.
The cousin and rival Elizabeth, Maria Stewart, Queen Scotland told another noble woman, Bess from Harder that Robert saw Elizabeth in the rooms many times.
Elizabeth I, coronation miniature
Everything became even worse when in 1587 a person named Arthur Dudley during visiting the courtyard of Philip II in Spain said that he was an illegitimate child of Queen and Robert.
In his history, even the time of conception (about 1561), when Elizabeth was sick and chained to bed, and her body mysteriously swollen. Arthur also called the servant who took him from the Hampton Court Palace and brought up him as his own son before telling him everything in her deathbed in 1583. However, there were no real evidence confirming this story.
Lord Robert Dudley, about 1560
To populate oils in the already blazing fire gossip, Robert's wife Dudley died in mysterious circumstances in 1560. Robert demanded an impartial investigation, which established that it was an accident: his wife fell from the stairs, breaking the neck. However, many assumed that Robert organized the death of his wife to be able to marry Elizabeth.
Queen Elizabeth and Graph Leicester, Painting William Frederick Yimza, 1865
Although many historical records and report of the coroner, found in the national archive, clearly pointed to an accident, at that time it did not prevent the nobles and politicians to use the precedent to be desperate to try to prevent Queen to go out for Robert Marry.
Despite this, Robert remained next to the queen, despite the fact that even himself assumed that she would be better without him. Elizabeth somehow said to the French ambassador: "I can't do without my Lord Robert, because he looks like my little dog." So he constantly stayed next to her. Elizabeth even wanted to marry him to Mary Stewart, but only provided that the couple would live with her at the court. However, this plan was never implemented.
Robert Dudley, partly dressed in armor, 1575
In 1562, Elizabeth got sick and demanded that Robert became the Lord-Protector of the Kingdom. However, her health improved, and instead Robert became her secret advisor.
Their friendship and close communication lasted for many years. Robert got the title of Leicester Count in 1564, and he was also given by Chenilworth Castle, in which the queen regularly came to visit.
Queen Elizabeth in the Wonsted Hall. Among the people in the garden can be, as art historians, Robert and Leticia Dudley. Picture of Marcus Herarts-Sr.
In 1578, no longer hoping in the future to marry Elizabeth, Robert secretly married her cousin, Letition Nollis. However, Elizabeth fell into such a rage that she never talked to her cousin again.
The marriage lasted for a long time, as Robert died of suspicion of gastric cancer in 1588. Realizing that he lost his beloved and closest friend, the queen barricaded in his rooms and refused to see anyone. Robert's last letter to her, which he wrote 4 days before his death, was buried with her in 1603.
Letter Graph Leicester Elizabeth I, written in Armada camp and signed by his nickname "Eyes"
Li Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley were lovers, remains a mystery to this day. There are no good evidence to confirm or disprove it. However, when Elizabeth believed that she was dying, she solemnly swore, saying that "although she loved Robert's very much ... nothing in indecent had never happened between them."
However, with the court in the era, complete intrigue, blows in the back and conspiracies (in the end, she was imprisoned with her own sister), it is not surprising that Elizabeth was so close with one of his oldest and most faithful friends, Robert. They did not need to be lovers to experience deep love to each other.