She Caused A Royal Scandal By Stealing The Queen's Rumored True Love, Who Then Got Sent To The Tower Of London As Punishment

She Went On A Sushi Date With A Guy Who Confessed That He's Into Money Laundering And Working With The Cartel

By Emily Chan Jan 13, 2026

Power plays, whispered rumors, and love triangles did not just exist in today's world. They were things of the past, too. Centuries ago, royal drama swept through the Tudor court.

A 16th-century noblewoman named Lettice Knollys was Queen Elizabeth's cousin and confidante. However, she caused a huge royal scandal by stealing the queen's rumored true love.

Lettice Knollys was born on November 8, 1543, in Oxfordshire, England. She grew up to be a beautiful, fiery redhead. When she was 17 years old, she was married off to the 32-year-old Walter Devereux, Viscount Hertford.

Later, he became the Earl of Essex, which made Lettice the Countess of Essex for a short time.

They had two daughters together: Penelope and Dorothy Devereux. During her third pregnancy, a man named Robert Dudley began showing interest in Lettice.

Robert Dudley was Queen Elizabeth's favorite suitor, and she was madly in love with him. Apparently, she visited him in his chamber every day.

Dudley was already married to Amy Robsart, but in September 1560, she was found dead at the bottom of a flight of stairs. It was said that Dudley orchestrated the murder of his wife, so he could marry the queen. But once Elizabeth ascended the throne, she declared that she would remain single.

He spent more than a decade trying to win her hand in marriage. In 1565, he provoked her into jealousy by setting his sights on Lettice.

In 1572, Lettice's husband, Walter, went to Ireland. His diplomatic affairs had attracted a storm of disapproval, and Dudley was one of his critics.

View on Tower of London from Thames sborisov - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only

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Walter died of dysentery in 1576, leaving Lettice a widow in her thirties. Everyone thought Dudley had poisoned Walter, but of course, those were just rumors.

In the summer of 1577, Lettice spent time hunting on Dudley's estate. They likely developed feelings for each other during this time and struck up a romance.

They decided to get married, risking the queen's wrath. They even had a child together, who was named Robert Dudley Jr.

On the morning of September 21, 1578, they got married in secret in front of a small handful of witnesses. Soon enough, word began to spread.

Elizabeth learned of the affair in the summer of 1579. She reportedly flew into a rage and sent Dudley to the Tower of London as punishment.

She then confronted Lettice and unleashed her fury. The whole time, Lettice never backed down from the queen. She stood strong and defended her marriage, never showing any sign of remorse.

She ended up getting banished from the court. Lettice and Dudley's son died as a toddler in 1584, but that did not change Elizabeth's feelings about Lettice.

As for Dudley, the queen allowed him to return, and they soon resumed their relationship. Dudley died in 1588, and Lettice was by his side when he passed, which deeply upset Elizabeth.

Lettice remained estranged from the queen and the court until Elizabeth died in 1603.

Lettice passed away on Christmas Day in 1634 at the age of 91. She was laid to rest beside Dudley at St. Mary's Church in Warwick.

By Emily Chan Jan 13, 2026

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