KEY EVENTS
30 Jul 1553 - Lady Elizabeth (later Elizabeth I) rides out from Somerset House, to meet her half-sister, the newly proclaimed Queen Mary I at Wanstead Hall.
1578 - Wanstead Hall purchased by ROBERT DUDLEY, 1st Earl of Leicester, from Robert Rich, 1st Baron Rich.
21 Sep 1578 - Secret marriage between ROBERT DUDLEY and LETTICE KNOLLYS at Wanstead Hall; married at 7 in the morning in presence of only 6 witnesses (including AMBROSE DUDLEY and FRANCIS KNOLLYS).
23 Sep 1578 - Elizabeth I arrives at Wanstead Hall, as part of summer progress of East Anglia, on return to London (is not informed of marriage).
Jul 1584 - Death of ROBERT DUDLEY and LETTICE KNOLLYS' only son Robert Dudley, Lord Denbigh, aged 3yo, at Wanstead Hall; funeral held at Wanstead on 01 Aug 1584, and later entombed in Beauchamp Chapel, St Mary's Church, Warwick.
04 Sep 1588 - Death of ROBERT DUDLEY; ownership of Wanstead Hall (and it's possessions) passes to widow LETTICE KNOLLYS as per his will.
1590 - Wanstead Hall bestowed on ROBERT DEVEREUX, 2nd Earl of Essex, by mother LETTICE KNOLLYS and new husband CHRISTOPHER BLOUNT; known to have spent much of his time at Wanstead Hall following his disgrace at court.
1598 - Wanstead Hall sold to Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy; he is a distant cousin of CHRISTOPHER BLOUNT, and the man LETTICE KNOLLYS' daughter PENELOPE DEVEREUX has been having extramarital affair with (and children) since c.1592.
26 Dec 1605 - Private marriage ceremony of PENELOPE DEVEREUX and Charles Blount at Wanstead Hall; marriage undertaken in defiance of canon law, following Penelope's divorce from Robert Rich, 3rd Baron Rich earlier in the year, following admission of adultery with Blount and illegitimate children..
