Was The Mysterious Death Of Amy Robsart Really An Accident? Or Something Worse?

Amy Robsart - or by her married name, Amy Dudley - is most famous, sadly, for her death. On the 8th September 1560, Amy was found dead at the foot of a flight of stairs, apparently having broken her neck. Her inquest was death by accident, but due to her husband Robert Dudley being the favourite of Elizabeth I, rumours began that her death might actually be murder. This video takes a look at the parts of Amy's life that get forgotten, and the different scenarios regarding her tragic passing...
*TRIGGER WARNING* This video contains discussion of suicide in a historic setting.
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Pixabay
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Acabashi
Happy Bean Photography
King of Hearts
Oxford Skyline Panorama photo by DAVID ILIFF. License CC BY-SA 3.0
Many of my images in this video were made with Midjourney, see if you can spot which ones!
I strive to always credit everyone whose images I use, and try as much as possible to use images freely in the public domain (purchased where not possible) - please let me know if I have missed you so I can give you due credit.

[@jenford7078]

6 years ago, a coworker's father was walking up the stairs to join his wife for lunch, mis stepped halfway up and fell breaking his neck and cracking his skull. He was a perfectly healthy and active man so regardless of what people THINK, a fall down the stairs can end in tragedy even in a modern American ranch house, never mind a Tudor English manor house.

[@sharonminer9350]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Poor man. And yes I would agree that it's more than possible to fall a short flight of stairs and break a neck, especially when,in those days, stairs were often times make of stone

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Exactly - there are plenty of tragic deaths involving stairs, you're absolutely right. I think the evidence I read said the data showed there were around 50 accidental deaths a year involving stairs on average, in healthy individuals under the age of 50. Amy's death was only regarded as anything else because of poisonous propaganda, in my humble opinion.

[@roxanavilchez7298]

​@@HistorysForgottenPeople i think it was suiced becuse she knew she was the third wheel between Elizabeth and Robbie. Kinda like kagami in the love triangle between her, aidrien and Marinette in meraculous ladybug 😅.

[@sharonannc.3079]

So sad to hear of your friends Father… Only God knows all…..these women had no resources or absolutely no- one to turn to for help. What a tragic fate to have been born a woman in this century & others. I would be I’m sure a Joan of Arc and a Coco Channel lady in pants 😎

[@Figgatella]

My next-door neighbor just moved into his house, got up to use the restroom, opened the wrong door and fell down the basement stairs breaking his neck also. He was healthy and vibrant, so it can happen.😢

[@MC-yi3zp]

Elizabeth I was a astute woman. I doubt she would have married anyone. All her life before she became Queen she witnessed what powerful men could do to a wife - her mother, Catherine Howard, Mary (her sister) it also would have served her well to keep those at home and abroad, wanting an alliance via marriage, on their toes. All in all she probably loved Dudley but i doubt she would have actually married him.

[@goddy7737]

Best coverage of this story.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Wow, thank you so much! 😊

[@leeannproctor2966]

@@HistorysForgottenPeople do you think it's possible that elizabeth ordered her death or ridiculous since she wouldn't marry him.

[@sharonminer9350]

If Dudley had married the Queen, he may not have lived long.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Absolutely this! And I think he knew it.

[@barbranyberg2694]

If he cheated.... He would have died.

[@playnicechannel]

@@barbranyberg2694Kinda more like *when* he cheated. Dudley is certainly a complicated character even when viewed in the complicated Tudor times.

[@i.p.956]

I recently heard the same theory shared in the video - that she had cancer that weakened her spine and may have caused her to fall down and break her neck. It’s possible 🤷‍♀️ I personally don’t think she was killed because if she was Dudley’s enemies would have seized their chance and would have banged the drum about that until Robert was in prison.

[@giselematthews7949]

That sounds VERY logical and possible. Thanks for the input. Bone Cancer.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Absolutely this! They attempted to spread rumours about him because that was ALL they could do. It was highly effective, because nearly five centuries later there are still lots of people who wholeheartedly believe Robert killed Amy (and we can't discount it either, but it is the most unlikely of the theories).

[@saradecapua3264]

Metastatic breast cancer to the bone will cause a honeycomb effect. She would not have even had to fall down a lot of stairs to die. Very sad and we will never know the whole truth.

[@leeannproctor2966]

Is there anyone who thinks elizabeth I ordered her death .

[@suemankins1692]

Thank you for sharing these older infamous deaths!!! I very much enjoy all of your videos from historic events!!!

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you're enjoying them! ☺ This was definitely one that's been requested a few times, so I thought I'd better get on with it!

[@beverlysevenberg5333]

My uncle fell on stairs at a restaurant and died freak accident

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Oh, I'm so sorry! That's so awful. :(

[@bunch_o_racket]

WHO was the witness that claimed Amy sent the entire household away for the day? That's suspicious!

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

It was misconstrued in later accounts (such as Leicester's Commonwealth) in order to increase the drama and possibility of a murder. In truth, Mrs Odingsells and Mrs Owens remained at the property, along with all of their servants, so it would have been difficult for someone to sneak in and kill Amy. Not impossible, but incredibly difficult.

[@cornelia9778]

Thanks for that. The books I’ve read about that period seem to start just before or after her death. I’m glad to know they truly seemed to love each other.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

It's obviously a lot of speculation, but the evidence we have does seem to really hint that not only did they love each other, but that Robert never stopped loving her - hopefully that is true!

[@Jerseyboondocks]

Thank you for your videos and the way that you talk makes it easy for me to understand. I get sidetracked easily but this is very clear and concise😊

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! ☺

[@leeannproctor2966]

​@@HistorysForgottenPeoplewhere do you find these portraits?

[@anweshabiswas4813]

Loved your videos , You really give limelight to those women who were often overlooked but had played a significant role in history ❤❤❤❤

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you're enjoying them! ☺

[@leeannproctor2966]

@@HistorysForgottenPeople out of curiosity do you believe dudley was the love of Elizabeth's life?

[@simon112]

We will never know the answer to how amy ended up at the foot of a flight of stairs, most of what we know is pure conjecture,there are three choices accident, Murder, or suicide,who can say which there is not enough proof, thank you as always for your take on this Tudor mystery, superb as always.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😊 And you're right, sadly, we'll never really know the answer.

[@simon112]

@@HistorysForgottenPeople Thank you HFP always a plesure. 😊

[@doriamurriola7188]

I have always thought that it was either Amy herself or Cecil. Amy was suffering terribly and she was totally abandoned by her husband, killing herself would finally give her peace with the added bonus of giving her revenge against Robert and Elizabeth beyond her grave, she would have known her scandalous death would have dashed the posibility of the 2 lovers marriage. If it was Cecil, well he was beyond disgusted with the idea of dudley marrying the Queen, so he would see it as doing it for the realm's greater good

[@elizabethwoolnough4358]

Agree. It was either natural causes, ie spontaneous fracture because of cancer, causing a fall near the bottom of the stairs, or it was a political assassination on Cecil's orders, to prevent Dudley's subsequent marriage to the Queen.

[@misscrescentmoonie]

Such a tragedy that happened 😢

[@carolkonrath6899]

I absolutely LOVE your videos! I especially love the images of the subjects you speak about. It actually puts a face to the story. ❤❤

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you're enjoying the video and the 'people' I try to make. ☺

[@pickettywitchoriginal]

Excellent work H’sFP ♥️

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you! ☺

[@user-fv6bb5sd6c]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your videos and what seems so thoroughly researched, as well as being quite objective.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you, I really appreciate that! ☺ I do try to remain objective when I can, although it's hard sometimes with people like Henry VIII. 😂

[@TheSimpleRomantic]

Good for u including trigger at beginning I have not seen that before.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thanks, I just thought it might be a helpful thing to pop in, even if a lot of people do know Amy might have taken her own life as one of the possibilities.

[@yvonnemoujalli6904]

Did enjoyed so very much .What I read that the queen banished Dudley from the court till the result of the verdict .Even if Amy died from her illness the queen won't marry him .she was just having good times in his company as any human deserve specially ruling her kingdom by her self . She learned from a young age that will not have a man to rule her after watching her brutal father treated his woman .Thank you .

[@animallover6645]

I think she would have married him but couldn't because of this.

[@richardlippincott8881]

great video. thank you.

[@Elora445]

I was so sure you'd already made this video. But no. It was just a discussion that was had in another of your video's comments. XD But yeah, I still lean heavily towards an actual accident. So many reasons as to why, like the clothes people were wearing during that time, her health, the stairs having no railings and them being of stone? Ouch, and so easy to break something then, even when you are 100% healthy.

[@kimxanders7004]

As to the lack of injury to the rest of her body, is there a chance that the substance of her dress possibly cushioned her body & prevented damage?

[@sharonminer9350]

I never considered that Robert night not have wanted to marry the Queen. But it makes sense. He did what he had to do in order to stay in favor and live the lifestyle they were accustomed to

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

It's a really interesting thought, isn't it? I think most of us (me included for a long time) just accept that there was something romantic between Elizabeth and Robert even if there was no affair. But the more evidence you dig down into, it comes across as a woman who was in love with her best friend, and a man who knew this, wasn't in love with her, but still valued her as his best friend. It must have been very complicated for them both, as well as poor Amy.

[@altinaykor364]

@@HistorysForgottenPeople But he hugely opposed to Elizabeth's flirtatiousness with Duke of Anjou and was jealous of another one of her favorites which his name I don't remember, but know that he was a fan of Mary Stuart's execution. and of all people Robert choses to marry the woman who's a younger image of queen in appearance! aren't these also evidence for what he felt?

[@stacegageTWDfan]

Very cool video topic. I always look forward to your new videos on Sunday! Thanks ❤

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Aww, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. ☺

[@pix_coral_island_guide]

Her autopsy was found. I'm just starting the video so idk if it was mentioned but he had a huge puncture mark in the back of her head

[@louisemerriman1079]

Excellent content...thankyou

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

My pleasure, I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@lfgifu296]

OOOOH THIS OUGHT TO BE SO GOOOOD👀👀 thanks :) I did ask you abt her death once, and then my opinion was leaning on some sort of foul play but can never be sure. Of course, it’s been almost half a millennium, so we can really never be sure, but hopefully this video will provide some more answers :) (if youtube ever goes south [pray not🙏], Private detective would be a way to go haha) Have a nice week :)

[@DarthDread-oh2ne]

Hi friend. I discovered this great show on George the fourth.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

I couldn't decide what I leaned into more, but after finding more research that shows Robert may have only thought of Elizabeth as a friend (and Cecil knew him well enough to know this personally), I lean more towards accident now. But we can all agree on all the theories, as it's sadly unlikely we'll ever know the truth! I will say this was one of my most requested videos, so I thought I'd better get on with it! 😂 Fingers crossed it never goes south, but if it does, we should definitely start a private detective agency! 😂☺

[@voyaristika5673]

I'm loving your videos! It's impossible for me to believe Elizabeth would ever have married anyone. I can't see her ever compromising her control, which surely would have been necessary had she married. She was sharp and I think she knew full well the success of her reign resided in herself alone, that when she said she had the heart of a KING she meant it! I also think Amy's death was an accident. Politics still stir the empty pot if there's any possible gain to be had.

[@MichelleBruce-lo4oc]

Hi, awesome live history video I enjoyed it. How are you and Mallard your cat doing? I'm doing well, and so is my cat Benjamin. We both enjoy watching your live history videos. In the next video, in the future, could you do Queen Mary the first from the Tudor times 16th century . Have a great day. See you next video 😊 we have warm weather in Ontario Canada. How is the weather where you are?

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Hi Michelle, we're good, thanks! I'm glad you and Benjamin are both well. ☺ And it's lovely to have the warm weather, we've finally got it too! Nice to spend more time outside. And I have done a video (a while ago now) on Mary I. I think it's somewhere in my Tudor playlist.

[@XiaoGuanYin104]

My cat Della says hello.

[@Juanita-gf4te]

It was also believed that Amy had ordered a new gown and hood as she was joyfully expecting a visit from Robert....he hadn't seen her for a year at this time because of his duties at court and because Elizabeth wanted him by her side all the time. So Amy would have been happy and excited by a visit from him.....but then something happened to her......

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Definitely! That's the letter to her tailor. As I say in the video, I do personally lean more to an accident, but we'll never really know.

[@lilibetp]

But why would she send the servants away to see her husband? I think she was expecting someone else. A lover? And that person killed her.

[@Juanita-gf4te]

@@lilibetp She wasn't the type to her a lover, she loved her husband and was waiting for a visit from him.

[@lilibetp]

@@Juanita-gf4te why would she send her servants away if it were her husband. He's been on a dusty road, he's going to want to clean himself up and have a drink and maybe a snack, right? This seems more secretive.

[@Juanita-gf4te]

@@lilibetp She wasn't expecting him on that exact day but some time soon, or she would have been all dressed up in her new outfit which wasn't ready yet in any case. She had ordered it but it hadn't been delivered yet. We don't know the why's and wherefores.

[@kristinstocking3548]

She was sick. She also how to settle the score with dudley. I think she took the opportunity to cut short her own life in order to cast doubts. With the circumstances of Amy's death, the queen could never be sure and thus would never marry the earl after that.

[@elizabethwoolnough4358]

As a religious Tudor woman, Amy would expect to go to Hell if she committed suicide. She may have done it but falling downstairs would be an unreliable method. I think it was either natural causes, ie she had cancer and a spontaneous fracture caused the fall, or Cecil had her offed to create a scandal to prevent Dudley marrying the Queen.

[@Latis.Dreams]

This is ridiculous! She OBVIOUSLY had at least one CAT living in the house!!!! Everyone knows (at least anyone who’s ever lived with a feline) that one of their main goals is to trip humans on stairs… 😅/😉

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

OMG you're right! Why didn't we all see it - obviously it was the CAT! And they got away with it! 😂 (I also live with a cat who is constantly trying to take me out lol).

[@elizabethwoolnough4358]

​@@HistorysForgottenPeopleDogs are out to get us too. My dog shoved me off a step ten days ago and broke my foot. Two days later she stood on it, just to hear me scream. I should have named her Psycho.

[@AndriaBieberDesigns]

I wonder about the idea of William Cecil taking her out so no marriage could happen with Dudley and Elizabeth, ever. There is a great documentary on KZbin suggesting that since he saw her last. And she had all of the staff leave the day of the fair.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

I agree, it's definitely still a possibility (I think it was Alison Weir who first floated the idea). Not all the staff were gone, however, only her own - the staff of Mrs Odingsells and Mrs Owens were still there, as well as the two elderly ladies themselves. It doesn't discount the possibility, but it does mean it might have even been someone they trusted, if that is what really happened.

[@altinaykor364]

I wonder why not many people care about Elizabeth I's court, the same way they're obsessed with that of her father, Henry VIII's?🤷‍♀ it may not have been as messy, but it was also full of dramas and soap operas and strange consequential cases. Amy Robsart included

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Absolutely! The 'feel' of it was very different, but it was still a dramatic court. I think part of it is that Elizabeth was a LOT less prone to imprisoning or executing people.

[@janejanell898]

Metastatic Breast Cancer also sadly travels to the Brain. So accounting for Mood Swings and Balance issues, not as exciting but just as trajic.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Ah, I didn't know that! That could also explain her switching between moods.

[@cornelia9778]

She must have been in tremendous pain. Perhaps it was too much.

[@BeeKool__113]

I think this was a terrible accident. I feel she was ill and wanted her household to go out and enjoy the day and the fair. She didn't want to be a burden to anyone. Perhaps Amy desired some solace to herself. All the physical evidence recorded at the time is consistent with such a fall. People take terrible and fatal tumbles down flights of stairs all the time even to this day. I don't think Cecil or Dudley had anything to do with this. Nor do I believe she parished by her own hand. I think the rumor mill conjured up all sorts of nonsense. Both Robert and Cecil had many enemies. Queen Elizabeth also possessed a treasure trove of enemies. Such gossip was drummed up at some aim towards one of these individuals. Perhaps all of them were the object of distain. Mainly focusing towards Elizabeth. Calling out her favorite or one of her closest ministers for sinister acts were all designed to be a blight on the queen's name to have such associates. This is just an unfortunate and tragic accident. 💔👑💔

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

I agree - my personal opinion is that it was a tragic accident, or possibly a suicide (which could just as easily explain any inquest tampering from Cecil or Dudley as much as anything else).

[@amarieoflothlorien]

Dudley wanted to marry Elizabeth. I think Amy had some help falling down those stairs. They killed people for less prizes.

[@horsemama6112]

If it is true that she sent ALL of her servants away that day, I happen to believe it was suicide. It is too coincidental in my mind that she happened to fall on the one day that they were all out. However, there are many possible scenarios demonstrated in this insightful video and perhaps there are yet more possibilities. Maybe, what actually happened has not been thought of.

[@shonamcwilliam2842]

I think she always knew she was 2nd choice for Robert & the absences along with the rumours, with nothing to do each day she perhaps was mentally tortured. She might have killed herself for revenge. Who knows. Very interesting anyway. Thankyou.

[@JangianTV]

A tragic story; one that has a carried much intrigue.

[@lfgifu296]

For the question I’m leaving History (well, sort of, technically this is History, although very VERY recent History), but who’s your fav Beatle? Personally I always struggle w the first spot, but all things considered, gotta go with Paul :)

[@DarthDread-oh2ne]

You’re leaving history. NOOO ! Please 🙏 don’t.

[@rogertaylor7433]

​@DarthDread-oh2ne ...she was leaving a question...LOL. Not leaving the channel.

[@rogertaylor7433]

Our favorite Beatle has always been Sir John Ono Lennon.

[@lfgifu296]

@@DarthDread-oh2ne I took a break for this week, next week a historical question will be back lol

[@lfgifu296]

@@rogertaylor7433 he wrote several gems alright! Also, nice username :) It might well be just a coincidence and I’m sounding stupid, but as a lifelong Queen fan, liked it.

[@victor-manuelibanez9993]

She was sick because Robert and Elizabeth were having an affair. They drove her to ill health.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

We can speculate about something like that, but obviously there's no proof, especially of an affair. (There's actually more evidence to the contrary).

[@fairysnuff-000]

I take it your comment was tongue in cheek I haven’t come across anything that shows that they were having an affair?? She was probably envious of Elizabeth, but even that doesn’t ‘make’ you sick…. Bacteria, virus, cancer, or a weakened skeletal strength caused by maybe osteoporosis and/ or some sort of mental health problems can do that ….

[@marymary1877]

The earl of Warwick was a devil for sure

[@elizabethwoolnough4358]

The earl of Warwick? Was that earldom still in use in the 1560s? I can't remember hearing of an earl of Warwick being involved in this case.

[@miedk9871]

Tak!

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you very much, I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@miedk9871]

@@HistorysForgottenPeople I just love your videoes, Thank you for all your hard work 😊

[@Heothbremel]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lianefehrle9921]

Abington are my distant family relatives

[@animallover6645]

As a petty individual myself, good she banned Lettice from the court, would have done it myself, such a tragic love story on both sides and and poor Amy, sounded like a melancholy girl.

[@altinaykor364]

there's something really fishy about Lettice Knollys. like, we all know she wasn't exactly faithful to her first husband. but the fact that she married Christopher Blount, only six or seven months after Robert Dudley's death, like not even waiting for at least one year (the exact same thing Katherine Parr did after Henry VIII's death, like you can tell she had the exact respect to Robert which Catherine had for Henry) Are we really supposed to believe that in only a few months she fell madly in love with a man, who was also 12 years her junior, to the point she decided to not show at least public respect to her dead husband? and there was nothing between them before? it's really hard for me to believe that and the fact she behaved so morally loose about her first, says more

[@heathermichael3987]

I always go with the worse .

[@sallyreno6296]

Cecil did it.

[@blackwidowspider9852]

She had head wounds like a beating around the head that has nothing to do with cancer of the chest

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Did you actually watch the video?

[@elizabethwoolnough4358]

She could have hit her head on the banisters or steps in the fall.

[@French-Kiss24]

Ivana Trump died,falling down the stairs. It still happens.

[@XiaoGuanYin104]

Yes...but Ivana is more likely to have been "assisted..."

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

Like deployed 👍

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you! ☺

[@XiaoGuanYin104]

I thought Lady Jane Grey was younger....thst drawing of her makes her look like she was in her fifties....

[@colettebishop2173]

She was 17

[@pickettywitchoriginal]

Ridiculous to think that a trigger warning has to be placed before a video of historical events. A generation of softies given a voice and not enough of the good side of this generation having a voice… just as loud/promoted, whichever word will do 🤨

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Well, for monetisation purposes (from my point of view) it's better to have one than not.

[@pickettywitchoriginal]

@@HistorysForgottenPeople I completely understand and know that you have to follow crazy rules, it’s not you choosing to do it. I appreciate and your work HFP 💜