Mark Satchwill Art Historical Art: The Tudors Seven

"Lettice Knollys"

ACEO, 2.5 x 3.5 inches, watercolor and gouache, 2007

Lettice Knollys was born in 1540. She was the daughter of Sir Francis Knollys and Lady Catherine Carey. Catherine was the daughter of Mary Boleyn, Anne's sister, which made Lettice Elizabeth's cousin once removed. During Mary's reign the family, as protestants, fled to Switzerland but they returned on Elizabeths accession and Lettice became a Maid-Of-The-Court. In 1560 she married Walter Devereaux, later to be made Earl of Essex. She bore him two daughters but became bored of living in their house in Staffordshire and returned to court. It is here she began an affair with the Queen's favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Elizabeth eventually sent Lettice back to the country having become suspicious of the pair. Lettice gave birth to a son in 1566, Robert Deveraux, who many believe was fathered by Dudley. She had another son by Walter in 1570. Walter died of dysentery in 1576. Lettice and Leicester resumed their affair and later secretly wed. When her father found out he insisted the ceremony be repeated and witnessed. Months later, to her fury, Elizabeth was made aware of the marriage - she branded Lettice a "She-Wolf" and banished her from court. Lettice and Leicester had a son but he died aged four in 1583. Lettice may have been banished from court but she often resided with her husband in London and dressed so finely that she was often mistaken for the Queen. In 1588 Leicester died of a fever. A few months later Lettice disgusted Elizabeth again by marrying her sons friend Sir Christopher Blount. She was 25 years his senior. Blount and Lettice's son Robert Deveraux were executed in 1601 after an unsuccessful rebellion against the Queen. Lettice retired to the midlands - she eventually died in 1634, aged 94 years, and was buried with Leicester.

"Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex"

ACEO, 2.5 x 3.5 inches, watercolor and gouache, 2007

Robert Devereux was the son of Walter Devereux and Lettice Knollys. He was born in 1566 and it was rumoured his real father was Robert Dudley. When he was nine Walter died and he became Earl Of Essex. Robert Dudley married Lettice and became his step-father. By 1587 he had become a favourite of Elizabeth, who enjoyed his eloquence and wit. She bestowed favours on him and when Dudley died he took over as Master Of The Horse. However, there were problems - hotheaded and arrogant, he would continually disobey Elizabeth's and this would eventually lead to his downfall. He joined Drakes Armada against her instructions and in 1587 in the Azores chased treasure ships rather then the Spanish navy. He did have successes, capturing Cadiz and leading troops assisting Henry V of France. In 1599 he was given the post of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and was expected to quickly defeat the rebellion led by the Earl of Tyrone. He didn't, and after the rebels won several victories he signed a truce with the Earl. This was considered a humiliating out come for Elizabeth and England. Although the Queen had forbidden his return he did so and appeared in Elizabeth's bedchambers before she was properly dressed, an outrageous display of arrogance. He was interrogated and put under house arrest accused of dereliction of duty and desertion of his post. He was later tried and found guilty and deprived of public office. This enraged him and he foolishly led a group of nobles and tried to force a meeting with the Queen. He did not get the support he expected and surrendered. In February 1601 he was put on trial for treason, found guilty and was beheaded. It took three blows to remove his head.