Charlie Fenton’s Reviews > Elizabeth's Rival: The Tumultuous Tale of Lettice Knollys, Countess of Leicester > Status Update

‘Through her numerous grandchildren and relatives, Lettice’s bloodline continues to this day. Thus her inheritance has proved to be enduring. Her story provides a unique example of a woman who witnessed the highs and lows of the Tudor and early Stuart court, who was once lover and then loathed by Queen Elizabeth, and whose family were involved in some of the most monumental events of the day.’

‘Two years after the death of her brother, Lettice’s health had begun to fail fast. In November 1634, she reached the extraordinary age of ninety-one, but it quickly became apparent that it would be the last year she would celebrate. The precise nature of her final illness is unknown, but it was ‘upon Christmas Day in the morning’, that Lettice closed her eyes on the world for the final time’

‘Lettice was delighted by the change in her family’s fortune that James I’s accession brought, and she was grateful that his magnanimity also extended to her. James bore her none of the ill will so frequently demonstrated by his predecessor, and in a gracious move, he generously cancelled out all of the debts that had been owed to the Crown since Leicester’s death in 1588.’

‘Lettice discovered that marrying Blount did not help to ease her financial woes. He worsened matters when, in an attempt to improve their circumstances, he began selling off pieces from her extensive jewel collection... Before long, Blount had even resorted to selling off some of Lettice’s properties that he had got ‘into his own hands’. Later, Lettice complained bitterly about his handling of her estates’

‘by her husband’s side when Leicester passed away at Cornbury. Commissioned on her orders, his epitaph describes her as his ‘most sorrowful wife’, and his death came as a devastating blow to her. They had only been married for ten years, and theirs had been a marriage that was based on friendship, love and mutual respect. With Leicester now gone, Lettice had not only lost her husband but also her protector.’

‘Denbigh had just passed his third birthday, and although Lettice was present, Leicester was with the court at Nonsuch Palace. A message was immediately sent to him, conveying the devastating news. When it reached him, Leicester’s first thoughts were for Lettice - for once, the Queen was not his first priority, and he fled the court without waiting for her permission.’

‘Leicester was immediately told to absent himself from court... Ultimately, though, it was Lettice who bore the brunt of Elizabeth’s anger. Was it because she was a woman? This almost certainly was a significant factor in the affair for Elizabeth was notoriously jealous of younger members of her own sex. This was exacerbated by Lettice’s personal qualities: she was both strikingly beautiful and ten years younger’

‘Leicester was immediately told to absent himself from court... Ultimately, though, it was Lettice who bore the brunt of Elizabeth’s anger. Was it because she was a woman? This almost certainly was a significant factor in the affair for Elizabeth was notoriously jealous of younger members of her own sex. This was exacerbated by Lettice’s personal qualities: she was both strikingly beautiful and ten years younger’

‘there was no longer any question of them continuing their relationship under the guise of friendship, or arranging clandestine meetings. They both wanted more, and only marriage would do. It was a momentous decision for Leicester, who had avoided such a commitment for almost two decades following the death of his first wife - all on the Queen’s behalf. Though the Queen did not know it, she now had a rival.’

‘Unsurprisingly, Walter had died deeply in debt, and it was not long before his creditors came knocking at Lettice’s door. Not only did he owe £6,190 (£1,000,000) to the Queen, but he had also accrued large debts elsewhere. Besides this, Lettice already had enough to deal with, for she and her children had lost their home and she resented the small jointure which Walter had assigned to her.’