Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester

[Neville Bastable]

Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester. Lover of Queen Elizabeth the 1st.
All the Dudleys we have discussed thus far descend from Edmund Sutton eldest son of John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley (1401-1487). John Sutton fought and was wounded in the Wars of the Roses eventually becoming Constable of the Tower of London in 1483 having been enobled in about 1480. This John, the 1st Baron was descended from John de Sutton who had married Margaret, sister and heiress of John de Somery of Dudley Castle in the previous century.
Robert of Leicester was descended from John Sutton alias Dudley, Edmund's brother and 2 times great grandson of the 1st Baron.
Descent, going directly from father to son goes as follows:-
John Sutton, 1st Baron Dudley 1401-1487 who married Elizabeth Berkeley.
John Sutton alias Dudley died 1500 who married Elizabeth Bramshot and was a youger son of the 1st Baron.
Edmund Dudley 1472-1510 who married Elizabeth Grey. He was a minister under Henry VII but executed under Henry VIII.
John Dudley 1504-1553 who married Jane Guildford. He was Viscount Lisle in1542, Earl of Warwick in 1547 and Duke of Northumberland in 1553, He was executed by Queen Mary Tudor.
Robert Dudley 1533-1588 Earl of Leicester. Master of the Horse, Order of the Garter, Lord Lieutenant of Wndsor Castle, Member of the Council, Chancellor of Oxford University and Queen Elizabeth's lover.

Robert Dudley had a son Sir Robert Dudley 1574-1649 who inherited parts of his father's estates but not his titles as the marriage of the Earl of Leicester and Lady Douglas Howard his mother was never officially recognised. The younger Robert emigrated to Italy and never returned. He had offspring in both England and Italy, 17 in total I believe by two different wives and so there may be many people running round today who perhaps don't realise they descend from such an illustrious family.
Neville Bastable