Lettice Knollys was a formidable Tudor noblewoman whose dramatic life story has long been overshadowed by her infamous feud with Queen Elizabeth I. Cousin to the Virgin Queen and possibly the granddaughter of Henry VIII, Lettice Knollys lived through nearly a century of political intrigue, royal favor, and scandal.
From her noble birth and striking resemblance to Elizabeth, to her secret marriage to the Queen’s favorite, Robert Dudley, her story is one of ambition, love, exile, and resilience. This deep dive into the life of Lettice Knollys reveals the woman behind the myth—one who defied royal wrath, navigated the treacherous waters of Tudor politics, and ultimately carved out a legacy of her own.
Rough Transcription of Episode 285: Lettice Knollys: The Tudor Rebel Who Dared to Rival Elizabeth I
Lettice Knollys. You might not know her name as well as her famous cousin, Elizabeth I, but her life was no less dramatic. Born into the heart of Tudor intrigue, Lettice lived through the reigns of six English monarchs. Seven if you count Lady Jane Grey, from Henry VII to Charles I spanning an astonishing 91 years, that alone would make her remarkable. But she was more than just long-lived. She was bold and a little bit of a troublemaker if we’re honest. So let’s talk today about Lettice Knollys.
Lettice was a noble woman whose legacy has been overshadowed by her turbulent relationship with the Queen. But this isn’t just a story of rivalry. It’s about love. It’s about scandal and survival in the cutthroat Tudor world. So today we’re gonna talk about her life from her noble birth to of course her infamous marriage to Robert Dudley, her exile from Elizabeth’s court and the complex legacy that she left behind.
We will explore the rumors that her mother, Catherine Carey, might have been Henry VIII’s daughter, and consider what that would have meant for Lettice herself. So buckle up for a story that’s equal parts history and scandal with a little bit of Tudor gossip. Because Lettice Knollys is about to take center stage.
Noble Birth and Family Connections
Lettice entered the world on November 8th, 1543. She was the eldest of 16 children. Born to Sir Francis Knollys and Lady Catherine Carey. God bless her. Born into a family deeply entwined with Tudor royalty. She grew up in an environment of privilege and political influence, of course.
Her grandmother was Mary Boleyn, once the mistress of Henry VIII, this made her a cousin of Elizabeth I, because Anne Boleyn was the mother of Elizabeth I, Catherine Carey was the mother of Lettice Knollys, so they were sisters. So even if there wasn’t anything more to it than that, she was at least cousins with Elizabeth I.
But that’s where things get a little bit interesting. Catherine Carey was rumored to be the illegitimate daughter of Henry VIII himself. This theory has fascinated historians and people, writers, Tudor enthusiasts for centuries. I’ve actually done some YouTube videos on this that have been pretty popular.
So the first line of reasoning is Catherine Carey was, like we said, the daughter of Mary Boleyn. Mary Boleyn had her affair with Henry people say, while she was married to William Carey. So if Catherine was indeed the king’s daughter, it would make Lettice not just a courtier, but the granddaughter of Henry VII.
Adding fuel to the rumor, Elizabeth I, Henry’s legitimate daughter showed marked favor towards the Carey family throughout her reign. Some accounts even note that Lettice bore a striking resemblance to Elizabeth hinting at a possible shared bloodline. Yet there is of course, no concrete evidence ever surfaced and historians remain divided.
Some suggest the resemblance and favor were just coincidental. They were related after all. So there was family genetics and perhaps rooted in the family connection through the Boleyns rather than a royal affair. Lettice’s father, Sir Francis Knollys, was a staunch Protestant and a prominent courtier. During the reign of Mary I, Francis fled to the continent for safety, taking his family with him.
When Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1558, the Knollys family returned to England where Francis secured a high office as Vice Chamberlain. Lettice likely shaped by her father’s religious convictions and courtly connections, learned the grace, the wit, the calculated charm that would define her as a formidable noblewoman.
When Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1558, the fortunes, like we said, changed dramatically for the Knollys family. In addition to Lettice’s father being given a high office, young Lettice who was in her late teens at the time, joined the royal household as one of Elizabeth’s ladies-in-waiting
Life at Elizabeth’s Court
Picture the court of the 1560s, there was a dazzling blend of politics, of pageantry, where ambition and beauty went hand in hand. Lettice was tall, graceful, and strikingly beautiful, and quickly became one of the most admired women at court. Her dark auburn hair and fine aristocratic features were so similar to Elizabeth’s that many remarked that she looked like the queen’s mirror image. This resemblance, flattering as it was, could be a double-edged sword.
After all, it wasn’t just any courtier drawing comparisons to the queen herself, it was her cousin, young, beautiful, and full of life. Elizabeth initially seemed to welcome her vivacious relation. Lettice was family and Elizabeth who cherished her Boleyn kin, was fond of her. They seemed to share a bond, but that closeness did not last in the summer of 1565.
Lettice’s beauty and perhaps her sense of adventure sparked Elizabeth’s jealousy for the first time. Pregnant with her third child, Lettice was seen flirting with Robert Dudley, Elizabeth’s favorite courtier. That would’ve been a no-no. The Spanish ambassador noted that Lettice was one of the best-looking ladies and held the Queen’s favor at least until that moment when Elizabeth heard of the flirtation.
Her reaction was swift and furious. Dudley was hers, or at least he was supposed to be. Whether Lettice meant any harm or not, Elizabeth did not tolerate women drawing Dudley’s attention. To keep the peace, Lettice prudently withdrew from court for a time allowing Elizabeth’s temper to cool.
It was a small incident, but it set the stage for a far deeper rivalry. Lettice had unknowingly stepped into dangerous ground, and Elizabeth’s wrath would not be so easily appeased in the years to come.
Marriage to Walter Devereaux
In 1560 at just 17 years old, Lettice made a significant match. She married Walter Devereaux, Viscount Hereford. Walter was an ambitious nobleman and a good deal older than Lettice, but the marriage made sense for both families. By 1572, Walter’s star had risen and he was then created Earl of Essex, elevating Lettice to the title Countess of Essex. The couple settled primarily at Chartley Manor in Staffordshire, though Lettice often appeared at court alongside her husband.
Motherhood followed swiftly. Lettice gave birth to Penelope in 1563, Dorothy in 1564, and then a son Robert in 1565, the future second Earl of Essex. Two more sons followed. Walter and Little Francis, who sadly died young by her mid-twenties. Lettice was juggling her roles as a mother of five and a prominent court lady.
Balancing family life with the allure of Elizabeth’s court, Walter’s ambitions though soon drew him away. In 1573, he left for Ireland to lead a military campaign leaving Lettice to manage their estates and maintain her social standing. It was during that time that rumors began to swirl.
Letters and gossips suggested that Lettice was spending significant time at the home of Robert Dudley, who was sending her gifts and hosted her at Kenilworth Castle. In 1575 when Queen Elizabeth visited Kenilworth in that very famous progress, she stayed for 19 days there for Dudley to throw this massive festival for her. Lettice was reportedly present there. She was just kept out of sight. Later that year, Elizabeth and her entourage visited Lettice at Chartley Manor, and Lettice played the gracious hostess keeping any personal drama hidden.
Scandal then followed. In late 1575, a Spanish agent reported great enmity between Leicester and the absent Earl of Essex hinting that Lettice had born Dudley’s children while her husband was in Ireland. While this was almost certainly untrue, it reflects the tense rumor driven atmospheric court.
An infamous pamphlet, Leicester’s Commonwealth would later accuse Lettice of conceiving two of Dudley’s children and secretly aborting one to cover up the infidelity, a salacious and entirely unfounded claim. Walter Devereux meanwhile died in Dublin in September, 1576, officially of dysentery.
Though there were also whispers that Dudley had poisoned him to clear the path for Lettice, an inquiry found no evidence of foul play. But Walter’s tragic death left Lettice a widow. She was only 32. She had five children and a very precarious financial situation. She attended his funeral in Wales, but her plea for relief from his debts was denied by Elizabeth. Perhaps a sign that the queen was already suspicious of her closeness with Dudley.
With Walter gone and her status uncertain Lettice’s connection with Robert Dudley grew even closer. The scandal that followed would define her reputation for the rest of her life. Two years after the death of her first husband, Lettice made a bold and fateful decision. On September 21st, 1578, she secretly married Robert Dudley.
Secret Marriage with Robert Dudley and Her Exile
The wedding took place in the early hours at Leicster’s country estate Wanstead Hall in Essex, attended by only a handful of trusted witnesses. Among them was Lettice’s father, Sir Francis. He was a practical and a devout man, who knows what he would’ve thought about this, but he likely saw no choice but to condone the union.
The bride got married in a very simple dress, just a loose gown, not any kind of elaborate finery that one might expect for a noble wedding. So why the haste and secrecy? Most evidence points to Lettice being pregnant by Dudley at the time, her father determined to avoid future scandal, insisted on an immediate marriage to legitimize the situation.
It was a reckless, passionate move. Marrying without the queen’s permission wasn’t just risky, it was treasonous. Elizabeth had made it clear over the years that Dudley was off limits, whether in romance, friendship, or political alliance, he belonged to her alone. Yet Dudley who had long danced a precarious line between courtly devotion to the queen and personal ambition had now taken a step that even he could not walk back for a time.
The newlyweds managed to keep their marriage secret. The French ambassador heard rumors in late 1578, but nothing was officially confirmed. Dudley continued to appear at court, managed to maintain his favor with the Queen, but by late 1579, the secret was out. One of Leicester’s political enemies seeking to undermine his influence, revealed the marriage to Elizabeth directly, and Elizabeth’s reaction was volcanic.
One biographer described it as a torrential force of wounded affection, betrayed confidence, jealousy, and anger. The Queen saw this not just as a personal betrayal, but a public humiliation. Her most cherished favorite, a man she had long considered marrying herself, had married her cousin, the very woman who so often seemed to mirror her own appearance and spirit.
There are countless legends about the confrontation between the two women. One story claims that Elizabeth snatched off Lettice’s wig in a fit of fury. Another says she struck her across the face. These accounts, while colorful are probably exaggerations from later writers who delighted in the dramatic possibilities of two fierce women clashing.
What is certain is that Elizabeth immediately banished Lettice from court. The queen’s wrath was absolute and permanent. She would never, ever forgive Lettice, nor would she ever allow her into her presence again. Elizabeth reportedly declared as there is, but one sun in the sky, there could be but one queen in England.
Lettice daring to rival her in love and prestige had crossed an unforgivable line. As for Robert Dudley, Elizabeth’s anger towards him was a bit more complicated. She couldn’t bear to lose his company entirely. Though he faced a period of house arrest in the queen’s cold shoulder, he eventually regained a measure of favor, but Lettice remained irrevocably exiled.
The public perception of Lettice was equally harsh. In a society where loyalty to the monarch was paramount. Marrying the Queen’s favor without permission was a bold defiance. Many whispered that she had bewitched Dudley or driven him to madness. It didn’t help that dudley’s political enemies, gleefully spread tales of her conniving nature.
In truth, Lettice’s greatest crime in Elizabeth’s eyes was not just love but audacity. She had dared to compete with the Queen in both beauty and affection, and that was unforgivable. While others who married without royal consent faced prison, or even worse, like the Grey sisters who met grim fates for similar transgressions, Lettice’s only punishment was banishment.
Yet for a woman of her rank and ambition, lifelong exile from court was a devastating blow, cutting her off from the heart of power and the queen’s favor that her family had long enjoyed. From 1580 onward, Lettice’s life would never again intersect directly with Elizabeth, and she would wear the stain of this scandal for the rest of her days.
Life After Dudley
When Robert Dudley died in September, 1588, Lettice faced both personal heartbreak and financial uncertainty. Dudley’s unexpected death, left her a wealthy widow, but he also carried significant debts to the crown. As Elizabeth auctioned off Dudley’s possessions to recoup what was owed. Lettice found her inheritance unexpectedly diminished.
Just six months after Dudley’s death, Lettice made another surprising choice. She married Sir Christopher Blunt, a man of relatively modest means compared to her previous husbands. Blunt, had been Dudley’s trusted officer and was significantly younger than Lettice, about 12 years her junior. This marriage raised eyebrows among the nobility with even Lettice’s son Robert Devereaux, criticizing the match as an unhappy choice.
Why did Lettice marry again so soon and to someone of lesser status? The answer may lie more in companionship than in strategy. After years of court intrigue and heartbreak, perhaps Lettice found solace in a familiar and loyal presence. Blunt, despite his lower rank, had been close to Dudley and had remained loyal throughout their marriage.
Perhaps they were just very close friends, and there might have been a bond there based on trust and affection rather than any kind of political strategy. This third marriage brought Lettice relative stability in the countryside, particularly at Drayton Bassett in Staffordshire where the couple lived quietly.
Yet once again, her family connections would soon embroil her in political turmoil. This time through her ambitious son, the Earl of Essex. While Latice had remained outcast at Elizabeth’s court, her son Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, rose to dazzling heights. In the mid 1590s as the queen herself was entering her sixties, she seemed to relish Essex’s, youthful charm and bold spirit.
She showered him with honors making him Master of the Horse, a title that had once belonged to both his grandfather and his stepfather, Robert Dudley. He also became a privy counselor, cementing his place as the Queen’s favorite. For Lettice, Essex’s success was a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it restored some of the family prestige she had lost through her own scandal.
On the other, she remained personally excluded from court life watching from afar as her son thrived in the very place from which she was banished. Essex for his part, tried at least once to reconcile his mother with the queen. But Elizabeth’s resentment never softened.
Personal tensions, also arose. Essex initially disapproved of Lettice’s third husband and the mother-son relationship grew strained at times. Despite this, Lettice remained a devoted mother. She worried over her son’s safety on military expeditions, and she wrote letters filled with advice and affection, yet Essex’s, impetuous nature, so reminiscent of Robert Dudley’s earlier bravado soon became his downfall.
In 1601, Essex’s ambition got the batter of him. Frustrated by his declining influence and Elizabeth’s growing impatience with his insolence, he led the Essex Rebellion, the ill-conceived coup against the queen. The plot failed spectacularly and Elizabeth, heartbroken and furious ordered his execution for treason.
Essex was beheaded on February 25th, 1601. He was only 35 years old. To compound this tragedy for Lettice, her husband had joined the rebellion and was also executed just weeks later. In the span of a few brutal months, she lost both her beloved son and her supportive third husband. At almost 60, she was left to grapple with grief and disgrace once more.
Final Years and Legacy
When James I took the throne in 1603, Lettice’s fortunes took a surprising turn for the better. Unlike Elizabeth, James had no personal animosity towards her and so no reason to hold a grudge. In a gesture of reconciliation, he restored the Essex title and estates to Lettice’s grandson. Thus reviving the family status and easing Lettice’s financial worries.
He also canceled the remaining crown debt from Leicester’s time, bringing some much needed stability to her later years. She spent her final decades living mostly in Staffordshire. Even into her seventies and eighties, she maintained a formidable presence.
Portraits from her later years depict a dignified and stately woman still holding onto her pride and independence. Family members noted her affection for her grandchildren and she found solace in their company telling stories of her eventful past and perhaps hinting at a quiet satisfaction that she had outlived so many of her rivals.
Lettice Knollys passed away on Christmas Day 1634 at the remarkable age of 91. In her will she requested to be buried beside her dear Lord Robert Dudley in the Beuchamp Chapel of St. Mary’s Church. Her wish was honored and she was laid to rest next to Dudley, opposite the monument of their little son, Lord Denbigh.
In the end, Leticia’s life story is one of defiance, survival, and a remarkable longevity. Often just remembered as Elizabeth’s rival, she was so much more, she was a noblewoman who endured the triumphs and tragedies of Tudor politics with an unwavering tenaciousness and determination. She didn’t just survive the Tudor era, she outlived it.
A matriarch who might have been Henry VIII’s granddaughter. She remained standing long after the last echoes of Elizabeth’s court head faded.
Heather Teysko is the creator, writer, and producer of The Renaissance English History Podcast,  the original Tudor history podcast, started in 2009. She's been writing about history online for over 25 years, since her first site on Colonial American history became number one in history on Yahoo in 1998. In 2019 she created Tudorcon, which is now a yearly event, in addition to writing books, and running TudorFair.com - a whimsical Tudor Merch shop.
She has been passionate about Tudor England since she first read Alison Weir's The Six Wives of Henry VIII 30 years ago, and subsequently moved to London after college to spend her time immersed in Tudor history (how exciting when she got to interview Alison for the first time!). In addition to history, she is passionate about travel, and has lived in 3 countries and 4 states (not counting her perpetual state of confusion), and her family (who help her host her YouTube channel occasionally).
