![©amthomson [Flikr]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ed9b82_8aedc22207c84995a0c91428d527935b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/ed9b82_8aedc22207c84995a0c91428d527935b~mv2.jpg)
Sir Christopher Blount, born c.1555, was the second son of Thomas Blount of Kidderminster (c.1525-1568) and his wife Margery Poley; he appears to have been one of five children, as demonstrated by the figures which adorn his parents' tomb in Kidderminster. His older brother Sir Edward Blount (c.1554-1630) also appears to have entered the service of the Dudley brothers Robert and Ambrose.
Christopher's father Thomas Blount had been in the service of the Dudley family since at least the early 1550s, until his death on 28 November 1568; initially he was in the service of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland and following his execution in 1553, his son Robert Dudley, later Earl of Leicester. 'Cousin Blount' proved himself to be "a faithful and trustworthy servant" to Robert Dudley over the years (Skidmore, 2009; p46); he was eventually appointed as Steward of Kenilworth Castle in 1563.
His mother's family remained defiantly Catholic, whilst the Blounts had adopted the evolving Protestant religion. Christopher and his brothers were raised in the Catholic faith, despite the known risks and disadvantages that this brought, and Christopher was sent to study at Louvain in Flanders for his education, before returning to England to complete his education at Oxford, and later at the English College in Douai, northern France. Louvain had a reputation for being a centre of art, literature, mathematics and philosophy in the 16th century. However, with the persecution of Protestants in Flanders in the 1560s, there was a shift in the population which impacted upon teaching; Protestant tutors migrated to 'friendlier' countries, whilst young Catholic men (like Christopher) were sent there for their studies. Due to his known Catholicism, Christopher gained attention from the supporters of Mary, Queen of Scots, including when he was returning from Douai in 1576; this contact was reported to Robert Dudley and Elizabeth I's 'spymaster' Sir Francis Walsingham. He had further contact with her supporters/ conspirators in 1585, who were requesting his assistance in ensuring secret correspondence with Mary, whom at this time had been held in captivity in England for 17 years. Christopher had contact with them, including Thomas Morgan (who was later implicated in the 'Babington Plot'), with the support from Dudley and Walsingham, with the aim of these messages being intercepted.
Following in his father's tradition, Christopher appears to have entered the service of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester in c.1584. He served as Robert's 'Master of Horse', as well as accompanied him on military expeditions. Whilst Christopher was serving in the 'Netherlands Campaign', he was knighted in 1588 - 'Sir Christopher Blount, Knight Bachelor'.
Robert Dudley died unexpectedly in September 1588 (although he had been ill/weak for a time), leaving his widow with debts to the crown. However, whilst there was evidence of heartbreak and mourning following his passing, a relationship developed between his widow and servant. The following summer (May-July 1589), Dudley's widow Lettice, Countess of Leicester, married for the third and final time; this match however was initially frowned upon, including by Lettice's son Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, due to the difference in social status and age (Lettice was 13 years older than her new husband), as well as Christopher's open Catholicism. Despite initially reservations from others, the marriage appeared successful, with Christopher appearing to respect her position as the Dowager Countess of Leicester (a title she continued to use), and Lettice referring to him as her "best friend".
Following Lettice and Christopher's marriage, they initially resided in the properties bequeathed to her by her husband; however, in the following years, Lettice started relinquishing property to her son, Robert Devereux: initially Wanstead Hall, Essex (in 1590) and later Leicester House, The Strand, London (in 1593; therefore becoming 'Essex House'). Lettice and Christopher then 'retired' to Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire, which had also been bequeathed to Lettice by Robert in his will. As Lettice remained banished from court, and her adult children were now using the newly named 'Essex House' as a central meeting point (including one to which conduct extramarital affairs from), a move to the country suited Lettice. However, there were reports that Christopher felt unsettled, when despite being elected as a Member of Parliament for Staffordshire on two occasions, he began to crave more. He later served in military expeditions in Spain in 1596-97.
In January 1601, Christopher was called down to London by his stepson, whilst Lettice remained at their home in Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire, "to settle his estate". Robert Devereux, having not long been released from house arrest following a disastrous spell in as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, had expressed discontent towards Robert Cecil, the Queen's Secretary of State, Sir Walter Raleigh, and other perceived rivals, as well as being convinced of a 'plot' against him. Devereux's influence had wained following his time in Ireland, and the Queen had not been as forgiving as she had to her previous favourite, Robert Dudley.
Throughout January and early February 1601, Devereux met with, and organised gatherings of, other disgruntled men of the court, who shared similar views; discussions took place regarding a planned coup to gain control of Elizabeth's government. Devereux would later allege that his older sister, Penelope, Lady Rich was involved in these meetings and was a primary instigator; however, no action was ever taken against her.
The night before the planned coup, Robert Devereux and his followers dined together, Devereux having ignored a summons earlier that day to attend the Privy Council, feigning illness..
The men then attended the Globe Theatre, located on Bankside, next to the River Thames, where 'Richard II' was performed by the Lord Chamberlain's Men (at their request); importantly, this play portrays the downfall and deposition of a monarch (Richard II for 'usurper' Henry Bolingbroke, later Henry IV), as well as their murder. Traditionally, the deposition scene had not been performed on order of Elizabeth I due to being seen as a 'symbol of insurrection'; however,, but were given financial incentive led to the scene being performed that evening.
In response to Devereux's failure to attend the Council, on the morning of 08 February 1601, four men attended Essex House, to follow up on his absence and bring him infront of the Council. They found the property guarded and fortified, and instructions were given to lock the men in the house; one of these men was Devereux's maternal uncle, William Knollys.
Christopher Blount was one of the approx 20 men who accompanied Robert Devereux that Sunday morning, as he then left Essex House on the Strand, and made his way initially towards the City of London. The so-called 'Essex Rebellion' aimed to raise the residents of London to their cause, with the overall aim of overthrowing the government, and taking Queen Elizabeth I into their 'protective' custody, all to try and restore Devereux's influence within her court. However, whilst 300 men were drawn to their cause, the City of London officials were not, and They blocked the rebels path at Ludgate Hill; when they tried to force their way through, Christopher was injured (reported to have obtained 'head and facial injuries'. Devereux then ordered a retreat back to Essex House, where the house was initially under siege, until his surrender later that evening; Devereux was taken to the Tower of London, and others, including Christopher placed under arrest.
Comments