ON THIS DAY - 08 September 1560

On This Day (08 Sep) in 1560, Amy Robsart, wife of Robert Dudley, was found dead at the bottom of a flight of stairs, at Cumnor Place, Oxon.

'Amy Robsart' Artist: William Frederick Yeames Year: 1877 © Tate

The couple had been residing separately since the ascension of Elizabeth I in Nov 1558, with Dudley becoming ever closer to the Queen. After residing with family in London and Norfolk, Amy settled at the rented manor at Cumnor in Dec 1559, with Dudley continuing to reside in London, with and near the Royal Court.

In the months prior to her death, there had been discussions about Amy's health, with modern historians speculating whether she had been suffering from a physical illness (such as breast cancer), as well as depression.

On the day of her death, Amy had sent the majority of her servants out of the house, to attend a fair at nearby Abingdon; it was on their return that they found her body. Dudley meantime, was at Windsor Castle, with Elizabeth I and the Royal Court.

'Amy Robsart' Artist: Sir William Quiller Orchardson Year: Late 19thc. © Sotheby's

A coroner's inquest undertaken on 01 Aug 1561 ruled Amy's death accidental, with the cause of death being the fall, with her neck being broken. Immediately following her death, 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".

© The National Archives

Rumours also surfaced of Dudley's possible involvement, likely started by his political enemies at court. Despite being cleared of any responsibility, Amy's death had long-term implications for Dudley; his position of court was limited for a time, and any opportunity for a future marriage with Elizabeth I.