The Death of Amy Robsart - 08 September 1560
On This Day (08 Sep) in 1560, Amy Robsart, first wife of Robert Dudley, Elizabeth I's Master of Horse, was found dead at the bottom of the stairs of Cumnor Place, Oxfordshire.
The couple, who had been married since 1550, had been living separately since the accession of Elizabeth in Nov 1558, with Dudley growing ever closer to his new queen. After initially residing with family members in London and Norfolk, Amy took up residence in the rented manor of Cumnor Place from Dec 1559, with Dudley continuing to stay with and near the Royal Court.
In the months prior to her death, discussions took place in regards to Amy's health, with modern historians speculating as whether she had been suffering from a physical illness (such as breast cancer) at this time, in addition to depression, exacerbated by her separation from her husband and the rumours surrounding his relationship with Elizabeth.
On the day of her death, Amy sent the majority of her servants out of the house, in order to attend a fair at the nearby town of Abingdon. It was on their return that they found her body, at the bottom of a flight of stairs, with a broken neck and two wounds to her head. Dudley in the meantime, was at Windsor Castle, with Elizabeth and her court, when word reached him of his wife's death.
A coroner's inquest undertaken on 01 Aug 1561 ruled her death accidental. Despite this ruling, there was speculation that Amy had intentionally taken her life, with Dudley's steward Thomas Blount, who was sent to investigate her death, documenting that "the tales I do hear of her maketh me think that she had a strange mind in her".
Rumours also spread of Dudley's possible involvement in his wife's death, likely started by his political enemies at court. Despite being cleared of any responsibility, Amy's demise had long-term implications for Dudley; his position of court was limited for a time, as well as hampering any prospects of a future marriage with the queen
On 08 September 1560, Amy sent away her household for the day, encouraging them to enjoy the first day of the local Abingdon Fair. It was on
