Did queen Elizabeth 1 ever have a true love?

Answer 1

Elizabeth I (1533 - 1603) was often urged to marry by her ministers, in order to secure the succession, but she always managed to successfully side-stepped the issue and tended to flirt with some of the young men at court. However, it seems the Queen possibly did lose her heart to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (1532 - 1588). A man she called her "Eyes". It is difficult to be sure how far the relationship between Elizabeth and Robert went, or whether it was ever consummated, as Elizabeth always promoted her virginity throughout her life.

They had been in each other's company for years and Robert was one of the first men to be appointed to the Council. This caused consternation among the other ministers, as they worried about what kind of influence he might have over the Queen.

But Dudley was a married man, and in 1560 a scandal erupted concerning the death of his wife, Amy, who was found to have fallen down the stairs whilst being alone at home. Despite the verdict of accidental death, this incident would continue to dog Dudley, despite the fact that there was no evidence he was involved. He remained unmarried for 18 years, probably to please Elizabeth, but then he married the widowed Lady Essex, Lettice Knollys, a cousin of the Queen's, which deeply hurt Elizabeth, and Lettice was banished from court.

Robert Dudley died on 4 September 1588, and Elizabeth was so deeply upset that she shut herself away in her apartments until Lord Burghley, her chief minister, had the doors broken down. A letter that Dudley had written to Elizabeth just days before his death, was treasured by her and kept in a box, where it was found on her death. She had written upon it "his last letter".