Elizabeth I: the great tabloid story of 1559.

During the early years of her reign, the diplomatic news from Elizabeth’s royal court read like a modern tabloid story. From issue to issue her portrait is on the cover, as it were, with her suitors’ cameos arranged around her. Her beloved Robert Dudley is rumored to be all but living together with her.

Here the Count de Feria reports back to the Spanish King Philip in just one of many long gossipy letters.

During the last few days Lord Robert has come so much into favour that he does whatever he likes with affairs and it is even said that her Majesty visits him in his chamber day and night. People talk of this so freely that they go so far as to say that his wife has a malady in one of her breasts and the Queen is only waiting for her to die to marry Lord Robert. I can assure your Majesty that matters have reached such a pass that I have been brought to consider whether it would not be well to approach Lord Robert on your Majesty's behalf, promising him your help and favour and coming to terms with him.[1]

 Here, nine days later, he reports on the story of the day yet again. Philip already having  been refused, his ally the Archduke Ferdinand is considered the foremost candidate.

They talk a great deal about the marriage with archduke Ferdinand and seem to like it, but for my part I believe she will never make up her mind to anything that is good for her. Sometimes she appears to want to marry him, and speaks like a woman who will only accept a great prince, and then they say she is in love with Lord Robert and never lets him leave her. If my spies do not lie, which I believe they do not, for a certain reason which they have recently given me I understand she will not bear children, but if the Archduke is a man, even if she die without any, he will be able to keep the kingdom with the support of your Majesty.[2]

 

In late May we learn, from Feria, that the London bookies are taking wagers on who the Queen will chose to marry. The favorite is  Sir William Pickering.

I have not heard that anything more has been done on the other side about the marriage of the Archduke and not even what your Majesty had arranged in the business. I want the matter pressed so as to make this woman show her hand. Sometimes I think she might consent to it, and at other times that she will not marry and has some other design. Pickering arrived here on the night of Ascension Day and has been much visited by the Queen's favourites. She saw him secretly two days after his arrival, and yesterday he came to the palace publicly and remained with her four or five hours. In London they are giving 25 to 100 that he will be king. They tell me Lord Robert is not so friendly with him as he was, and I believe that on the first day that the Queen saw him secretly Lord Robert did not know of it, as he had gone hunting at Windsor. If these things were not of such great importance and so lamentable some of them would be very ridiculous.[3]

In October Feria likes the Archdukes chances if he will shamelessly flatter the Queen and chose well the gifts he gives her. This will please Dudley’s enemy, the Duke of Norfolk, who is said to have plotted to assassinate him. 

The Queen is very pleased and gay, as she thinks the Archduke is coming but otherwise as fickle as ever, and as determined to see him before deciding. This woman's troubles are growing apace, and her house will be in a blaze before she knows it. I am sure if the Archduke comes she will marry him, particularly if we flatter and give her presents which will influence her more than her need. Not only are the French daily becoming stronger in Scotland, but all the country is so much against this Queen that the catholics are not by any means the most suspected people now. A plot was made the other day to murder Lord Robert, and it is now common talk and threat. The plot was headed by the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Surrey, and all the principal adherents of the Archduke. The Queen and Robert are very uneasy about the Duke of Norfolk, as he talks openly about her lightness and bad government. People are ashamed of what is going on, and particularly the Duke, as he is Lord Robert's enemy. The Duke is a great friend of ours, and will no doubt come to receive the Archduke, which he may well do as he occupies the principal place in the country. For these reasons I think the marriage will take place, but we must touch the Queen and Council to the quick, as they are the only waverers, the country being with us.[4]

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[1] 18 April 1559. Count De Feria to King Philip II. Calendar of Spanish Letters and State Papers, I.57-8.

[2] 29 April 1559. Count De Feria to King Philip II., I.63.

[3] 31 May 1559. Count De Feria to King Philip II., I.67.

[4] 29 October 1559. Count De Feria to King Philip II., I.107.

Also at Virtual Grub Street:

King Henry VII’s Thank You Note to  Pope Innocent VIII. January 9, 2021. “In the etiquette of power even kings were wise to send thank you notes.”

Ledger of Queen Elizabeth’s Jewel House, New Year’s 1571-2. January 2, 2022. “In this booke are contained all suche Juells as are delyvered to Maistres Katherine Howarde, one of the Gentlewomen of her Majestie's Privy Chamber, from time to time to her Highnes use.”

Making Mincemeat Out of It: Medieval and Tudor Mincemeat Pies. November 1, 2021. “I think it’s fair to say that anyone attempting to find medieval or Tudor recipes for mincemeat has failed.”

To Where Did Queen Elizabeth I Disappear in August 1564? July 18, 2021. “Leicestershire was in the opposite direction from London. Nichols could discover no more.”

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