Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley | Tea Time History Chat Live | 6th September 23 

Such an interesting topic to discuss I will give this a proper listen soon!

I really loved those videos with James Clark! 😊😅

Thank you - I learned so many new details about their relationship and the time it took place in. (Yes they were in love, no they didn’t “go all the way…”)

The Greys were double cousins to the Tudors, being descended from Elizabeth Woodville by her first marriage. I just realized this! It feels like their claim was so very strong. Yes, not descended from Edward IV, but his queen counts too!

Yes to the older we get, the more we realize it's too late for certain things. In my 60s now, time left seems all too short. I think they did it. Condoms, "French letters," were available, I think, in the 16th c. A condom plus rhythm would be pretty safe, especially given the few opportunities there would have been. Or, they could have waited til she went thru menopause. She could have married him young because, as you said, she wasn't expected to ascend the throne. Possibly, time got away from them. Or, her mother's fate guided her to not want to marry.

Concerning a Dudley marriage to Queen Mary that would elevate him to King making him suitable to marry Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Dudley were both students of John Dee astrology and deviations maybe they saw the dates and conditions of Mary's demise as "workable"? The idea of the bastard son of Robert Dudley Duke of Northumberland Earl of Warwick being a child placement in the care of Sheffield or surrogate mother of Elizabeth. (Bobby) was accepted some same adored at court , later his testimony of legitimacy was sealed by the Star Chamber.

I question whether there would have been a marriage with Robert. Elizabeth, whilst illigitimate, still had royal blood, Why marry her to the FIYTH son?? surely it would have been more likely to have been Guilford.