The Original Staircase: The Death of Amy Dudley

[@pattifriend6676]

Having slipped and fallen down stairs myself, resulting in a fractured neck, I can say that falling happens in a split second, though it feels like slow motion. (had slick, wet leather soles on.) Also, I've been both a Renaissance Faire and Civil War reenactor and can say yards of fabric around your legs is treacherous. On some stairs, there's landings that are triangular, so if you start down on the wrong foot, at the landing you step into space where your mind thinks a step should be.If there's no rail, there's no stopping the momentum. Guess we'll never know about Amy. Great analysis Dr. Kat -- I'm really enjoying your work.

[@dorothywillis1]

It is interesting to have a firsthand account from someone who has actually fallen!

[@marksmeaton13]

Sorry, this has nothing to do with Amy Dudley but I'm very depressed after breaking my heel bone and my backbone in three places and the vivacity of your post is lovely and gives me reason to hope. Thanks for sharing (I fell too but off a rooftop). :)

[@annstillwell730]

Yes me too I found down the steps at 5 and broke my collar bone only. I've also broken my foot and twisted my foot countless times. It so easy to get seriously injured.

[@rosedolch8637]

but usually you would have some scrapes and bruises

[@GrainneDhu]

@@rosedolch8637 bruising is not instantaneous, it develops over a matter of hours. If Amy Dudley died within an hour or two of injuries from a fall down the stairs, all that would have shown would have been reddened patches on her skin. If she died within minutes, she may not even have had reddened patches. Scrapes depend on friction. She would have been wearing a minimum of four layers of cloth over most of her body (shift, petticoat, pair of bodies, kirtle and/or overgown)--that's a lot of protection against scapes.

[@melissalove2463]

I’m sure she would of never thought that 460yr’s after her death people would be discussing her life & death!

[@coyotedust]

or...that she would be featured in different Tudor movies and documentaries.

[@TracyD2]

I think about that with the bog people or any mummy. It could happen to one of us 🥺

[@myrtle1234]

Perhaps Amy may have been more canny than history credits her with being. Having ordered new dresses in hope of a visit by her husband, disappointed at yet another cancellation or deferral, sickened with cancer of the breast and lymph nodes, she ends her own life. She does this knowing that it will forever taint Dudley’s prospects for marrying Elizabeth and his conscience. Suspecting his wife’s actions, Dudley bitterly neither attends her funeral nor erects a monument to her. At least in this version, Amy is no longer just a victim of a queen’s jealous will or a husband’s infidelity. She has agency. Dudley’s subsequent actions make more sense, as well.

[@melissalove2463]

@@TracyD2 Oh god that is scary to think of ! 💞😕💞

[@MWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWM888]

We discuss the character of Queen Elizabeth analyzing the lives of people around her Of course, no one cares about some woman who lived five hundred years ago. One can say that the portraits of the queen do not match her appearance.

[@ferociousgumby]

BTW, one of the reasons I've stayed with your channel is the fact you use music sparingly and effectively, NOT constantly droning away in the background, distracting and detracting from the content. Other channels should learn from you that you don't NEED such repetitive junk going on in the background (though if the content is bad enough, I guess it helps to drown it out).

[@melissaa.bernstein910]

You're my new KZbin obsession! As an American, I wasn't taught much about the British monarchy, but I find all the court intrigue fascinating, and you really bring it to life!

[@sissydewoody8717]

Omg doesn't she?? My mom and I who are fellow Americans just found her!

[@mimih1947]

Ohhh, be prepared to be hooked on a subject that is so good with lots of rabbit holes to follow.

[@kragary]

When a woman buys a new dress and then sends everyone away so she can be alone, my first thought is that she's expecting a lover that must be kept secret. Could it have been her husband? If Robert had written to her, saying he wanted to come see her because he misses her, but it has to be a secret because Elizabeth is jealous and if she finds out he might lose his position in court, would Amy have understood and agreed?

[@sarahholland1375]

My thoughts exactly!!

[@VeracityLH]

Hmmm, but then why would her servants have all been sent away. One would think the romantic weekend might include someone at least cooking food for them? On the other hand, if she expected a secret visit from a very important figure, one who might have implied his willingness to help her keep her husband from thoughts of marrying the Queen, *cough*Cecil*cough*, then a new dress might have been a way of impressing him and assist in convincing him to aid her in her cause. Such a meeting, of course, could not be witnessed by servants or attendants.

[@KatTheScribe]

Yes! My thoughts as well.

[@Smartgran]

My thoughts exactly. I think it was inspired by Elizabeth with talk of marriage to Dudley which set him off to find a way to be free from Amy. Being obsessed with Elizabeth, all other considerations left him. He could easily have procured an assassin to do the job for him. The fact there was no decent memorial for Amy is suspicious. Elizabeth given her background was paranoid about threats to her throne and person, and therefore when Cecil seeking to stop the marriage put about rumours that Dudley was involved in a murder made her so fearful that she cut off Dudley to his great surprise, putting her survival above their happiness!

[@--enyo--]

I don’t think the dress would have been ready in time (it would take longer than a week from order back then). Also if she had a lover it would be way too suspicious to chase all her servers away in such a conspicuous manner. But yeah, the latter point about Dudley makes more sense.

[@TheMehamil85]

A friend of mine was planning a vacation and dinner with her husband the day she jumped off the roof of a parking garage. People who are depressed to the point of suicide often come across perfectly normal, even better, because of the relief that comes from deciding that they're done. So her buying dresses doesn't surprise me if she was also actively suicidal. But I think the William Cecil explanation makes the most sense. He didn't want Dudley to be king so this was the most expedient way to do it. Or maybe she did fall and hit her head on stuff that might have been in the staircase at the time. How large was this staircase? A different friend of mine, her mother tumbled down a short flight of stairs and managed to break her neck. Dying instantly. She was a tangled mess at the bottom. Were these Tudor stairs stone? Was there a railing? Was the railing decorative? Was it metal or wood? She could have hit her head against it as she fell. As for her hood still being on her head, physics is weird. Tornado's can take out a whole neighborhood and leave one house still standing. Cars have landed on roofs and yet there's no damage to the roof. How were hoods secured to women's heads in that era? How tight were they? The whole shooing the servants away on the day of is pretty suspicious. I have no idea what to make of that.

[@анниелниф]

she could jump of the cliff then , staircase wont guaranty sure quick death

[@Morna777]

​​@@анниелнифpeople who were judged to have committed suicide forfeited all their goods to the crown rather than being able to leave them to their families so it was pretty common to try to make it look like an accident. She also might not have actually meant to kill herself but rather injure herself to get her husband's attention.

[@Elora445]

There were apparently a festival that day, and she gave her people leave so they could go join it.

[@alissak.1512]

Agree - I can’t find a good reason to clear the house unless she died by an intentional act - hers or someone else’s

[@kithale316]

I am in remission from ovarian cancer. Sometimes the pain was so bad that I contemplated suicide but not by throwing myself downstairs. There were and are easier ways. However a sudden extreme pain when going downstairs could easily cause someone to fall. It stops you in your tracks and you double up causing you to over balance. The clearing of the house is what bothers me - why?

[@kathyjohnson2043]

I am reading this a year later hoping you are still in remission. Ovarian cancer is a beast.

[@kenna163]

There was a festival or some such nearby. I think she just wanted to be a good boss and let the servants have some fun.

[@AussieBenita]

@kithale316, Sending prayers and like @kathyjohnson2043, a year on and hoping for the continued remission. May the sun shine on you and rainbows after the storm clouds pass. Safe hugs if ok🌷[edit grammar]

[@sutehksplaything]

My staircase tried to do me in once too

[@TuckerSP2011]

Mine too!

[@maureengillies9495]

I really enjoyed the video but something tells me Cecil arranged it he hated Dudley he said of him beware the gypsy he knew that the scandal of Amy's death would prevent him ever marrying the queen and it could have lessened his power

[@cwhite5015]

sutehksplaything lololololol.

[@pamelaconticini9093]

My son's staircase tried to do me in , 😆as well.thank goodness we're all still here

[@zuzuspetals9281]

My vote’s on the staircase also!

[@francesjackson4758]

You should do the Princes in the Tower or have like a 'past true crime' series. This is awesome, thanks!

[@GreenGleem]

There's a tv series called Medieval Murder Mysteries that actually covered the princes in the tower as well as Amy Dudley. It was *ahem* short-lived, and I've always thought it could use some expansion

[@sarawilliams9025]

I don’t know what that reply was, but I’d love to watch something on the Princes in the Tower!!

[@Dawn24Michele]

That case is easy. Kind Henry killed those boys. No question

[@ReadingthePast]

I got you covered - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXPCZoerrK2Xa7c

[@sarawilliams9025]

I don’t doubt Henry Tudor had the boys killed, or more specifically, his mother and stepfather. I would love to know the whole story however. I know it’s lost to history but it would be amazing to know. To know whether the skeletons they found were the boys, etc.

[@lspthrattan]

I'd say your argument for Cecil being behind it is the strongest one. Certainly, if it was a simple matter of a husband or his lover getting rid of an inconvenient wife, they could have found a less suspicious means. Cecil, on the other hand, feared Dudley's influence over the Queen, and was devious enough to think of setting up Dudley to be the fall guy, at least in terms of public opinion, to contain the threat he posed. And yes of course; if she'd received a letter from any of these people to clear the house, hush-hush, she would simply have complied. Thanks for another great video! The detail you provide about this period, and the way you tie it all together, makes it really interesting.

[@ReadingthePast]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you found this video useful and enjoyable!

[@carinetang776]

I don't think it was Cecil at all. If Cecil had her murdered to besmirch Dudley, he would have made it more obviously a murder, effectively framing Dudley. If it was Cecil, why arrange the body at the bottom of the stairs to leave events open to interpretation? Why make it look like it could have been an accident, when you can instead leave her bludgeoned in her bedroom? Nobody's going to think THAT was an accident! Then you would absolutely and unequivocally make Dudley a murder suspect and prevent him marrying the queen.

[@trojanette8345]

Kudos to you too for your synopsis, understanding and assessment of the matter at hand. I like the way you described things.

[@a.alistair9087]

@@ReadingthePast Before I watched your video I read Alison Weir's theory that Cecil was the most likely suspect. Have you published on this? Thanks!

[@bettymaines6305]

Interesting hypothesis about Cecil. I vote for Cecil. While Elizabeth May have wanted Amy out of the way, she could not afford to be directly traced to a murder. (As it was, she still did not completely avoid suspension. ). Elizabeth was wise and would have more to lose than to gain , no matter how much she may have loved and wanted Dudley. She need only look to her father and mother to see the price unfettered love cools bring. Dudley- as suggested to difficult to pull off in secrecy and perhaps too obvious. Cecil- He could not just have Amy murdered and frame Dudley outright because Elizabeth would have seen through it. If Cecil destroyed her favorite , he would be destroying himself. He had to walk to right role to “besmirch “ the favorite , make him unsuitable to marry Elizabeth , and if suspected make it appear , at least to Elizabeth , that he was doing it for her. Amy- would be second choice if she was ill enough physically and mentally. And if mentally ill could be in a good mood and one week later be suicidal. She would have had to have really thrown/ hurled herself down the stairs. She might could have done it to look suspicious to seek revenge in Dudley for his unfaithfulness which probably humiliated her. I would not rule her out. My two cents worth and it is worth about that two cents. And one last comment - for cry out loud , can we please keep the current day political divisiveness (Trump / nonTrump) references out of our comments. Not relevant to the discussion.

[@TS-gh3xv]

According to my Coroner friend the wounds all depend on the hight of the staircase, depth, width, length, wood, stone, steal, was there a railing, a half landing, etc. pushed, tripping over, jumping, someone that faints and falls, falls different to someone that is tripping over… what kind of clothes did the person wore. Someone with a lot and heavy clothes on will have less bruising, but maybe more bones being broken… what a fascinating case. Thank you for sharing.

[@sarahholland1375]

TV documentary shows circular, hand carved stone staircase, approx 10 steps from memory, no handrail. I was surprised, I thought the height of stairs would be double that, but as you say, if you tripped in a heavy, long gown, I guess you'd hit the steps with real force. I wonder if her husband wanted to talk to her alone re divorce,she mistakenly thought it was 'alone' for a 'romantic' réunion so planned the alone time. When it was divorce not a reunion, things escalated...His not going to funeral speaks volumes.

[@shirleymcalister6719]

Fascinating lecture! All I can offer is that I have myself walked down a circular (stone) tudor staircase in full tudor dress and it is precarious to say the least! - and that's with a handrail! 😲

[@mariposahorribilis]

The information from your coroner friend chimes with the first thoughts to enter my head - that the probability or improbability of the injuries being natural depends very much on the nature of the staircase and of the possible fall. Furthermore, I think the hood is a red herring. Doesn't dint mean 'dent'? No need for for there to have been any lacerations. (Yes, it's possible to break the skull without breaking the skin - especially when the head is protected by a layer of fabric such as a hood.) So no blood. That doesn't mean that it follows that there was no murder, of course. The wounds could have easily been caused by a smooth headed mace, or even something as basic as a sea-worn stone.

[@thelittleredhairedgirlfrom6527]

I remember seeing a snippet of another documentary where they were talking about how dangerous cheaply made steps could be, since there’s a very specific science about how to make safe stairs and even slightly differences can make them significantly more dangerous

[@walterreeves3679]

@@mariposahorribilis Another angle on the absence of blood. Bleeding is largely dependent on the action of the heart. If death is instant or close to it, say from a broken neck, it's entirely possible that there would be little blood. After death the blood settles depending on the action of gravity. So a great deal would depend on whether the injuries were peri-mortem or post mortem and how the body was situated at the time of death.

[@generalsleepy3859]

Suicides can be impulsive and mental illness unpredictable, so I personally don't find it unusual that there's at least one piece of evidence of her being in an up mood or making future plans soon before she potentially took her own life.

[@thelittleredhairedgirlfrom6527]

Plus I’ve heard that when someone who has been depressed for a while suddenly starts to act very happy and energetic that means that they may be days or even just hours away from ending their own lives.

[@mandarinadreux9572]

@@thelittleredhairedgirlfrom6527 true I've read that too. It's when someone's who's been suicidally depressed for a long time has finally decided to kill themselves and a great peace and relief comes over them. Finally no more pain, no more suffering.

[@mangot589]

Exactly. It seems extremely curious to me that a lady of her standing would send away ALL her attendants. People say, “throwing yourself down a flight of stairs isn’t very dependable”. Well, many, many, many people died on staircases. They still DO. Back then, staircases were very dangerous. They had no idea of spacing, depth, any of it that makes them safer. So how would she know that? All she knows is lots of people die falling down the stairs. She’s sick, undoubtedly in pain, her husband is ALWAYS gone with the woman he really loves.🤷‍♀️ And suicides, like you said, just do it. A great deal of the time.

[@littlemy1773]

From personal experience my closest friend killed himself. The evening he did it he rang me and made plans to meet for coffee the next morning in town. A few hours later he killed himself. So yeah depressed suicidal people do make plans and then obviously change their minds

[@mangot589]

@@littlemy1773 Sad, but true. The “no! They were fine and blah.” It doesn’t always work like that, eh? I have a personal experience also, like a they just walked out the door and shot themself and nobody had a clue experience. There isn’t always a “cry for help” or a “sign” or even an “indication”.

[@theresapierce3934]

Cecil had her murdered which made everyone suspect Dudley and stop Elizabeth from thinking of marrying Dudley.

[@violetdurovic2528]

Theresa Pierce wouldn’t put it past him.

[@dirgniflesuoh7950]

Read that book too.

[@carinetang776]

No way! If Cecil had her murdered to besmirch Dudley, he would have made it more obviously a murder, effectively framing Dudley. If it was Cecil, why arrange the body at the bottom of the stairs to leave events open to interpretation? Why make it look like it could have been an accident, when you can instead leave her bludgeoned in her bedroom? Nobody's going to think THAT was an accident! Then you would absolutely and unequivocally make Dudley a murder suspect and prevent him marrying the queen.

[@laetitiastrydom4470]

Someone's been reading The virgin's lover lol

[@lauraeden6224]

Theresa Pierce I agree. He was like a great Machiavellian puppet master in the guise of being a fatherly figure to Elizabeth as well as to the young nobles he bilked who were his wards. But, one can make the case that he did dreadful things “ for the good of England”.

[@addysbeeandgarden320]

Metastatic breast cancer is a heck of a thing. It spreads from the breast through the lymph nodes to the thoracic vertebrae causing bone cancer resulting, amongst other things, anemia. Perhaps she was ordering a gown made of heavy, warm velvet because the winter was approaching and she was already cold in the house (as evidenced by the fact that she was wearing a hood inside the house already, in the presumably warmer upstairs). If she was that cold from anemia, it's feasible her body was shunting blood away from her skin in an attempt to support vital organs. You're thinking of her from the point of view of a relatively young, healthy lady. What if this wasn't the case? What if she closing in on the end of her life? Perhaps the cancer had spread to her lungs and she had hypoxic agitation, perhaps she just wanted a minute without the hullabaloo of a full house. We don't know why she was going downstairs, perhaps to get something to eat or drink, at any rate, Elizabethian gowns, plus a cloak with a hood would've been awkward and heavy, especially for someone at the end of her life. Especially if they were lower to the floor due to weight loss. She either trips on the hem, or maybe gets dizzy and loses her balance at the top of the stairs, pitches forward and hits her head hard on a spindle or stair edge. This first hit would've been the hardest due to the initial lurch and weight of the gown. A force of 130 (100 for her, 30 for the dress) pounds at one corner is certainly enough to crush diseased bone of the skull. Then she slides down the rest of the stairs in her slippery velvet or taffeta and hits the bottom of the stairs hard, resulting in the second head injury and broken neck. We also don't know about the hood, it could've been tied in such a way it wouldn't have come off. If that first hit killed her (likely), there would only be minor blood loss as there was no beating heart to throw blood around. I would also like to point out that the heavy, white, lead makeup worn would have further exacerbated anemia and masked any paleness so popular in that time anyway. My thoughts are: hidden option E. There was no crime, just a tragic death of a very ill lady.

[@ltlwlwl5057]

Very nice comment! 👌🏻

[@KittymoreJoy]

Thank you for the in-depth explanation of how breast cancer affects more than just the breasts. She must have been in some pain.

[@nokomarie1963]

My brother had a dangerous fall downstairs alone in a cathedral after everyone else had left. He tumbled helplessly head over heals and received deep purple bruises on his skull and upper back. He lived, but that was a close call. Poor Amy's fall seems completely believable to me, life is so unfair and so cruel.

[@MamaOfTwo]

I am glad your brother was okay after that and was able to get himself help. That could have ended so much worse…I can’t imagine the fear and helplessness felt in those moments. I have always wished to be a fly on the wall when Amy met her tragic end. The unknown is so interesting for sure!

[@starrycrown]

What a mystery! The story of Diana, Princess of Wales, throwing herself down the stairs in a suicidal attempt as well comes to my mind. But, I think your points about Cecil are super intriguing! I wish we knew more about the cancer rumor, the pain treatments of the day, and the staircase itself. Dismissing her household is a big red flag for murder, I must say. I love this channel.

[@dnr2089]

I first read about Amy Dudley in a novel by Jean Plaidy in the 1970s. She set the scene for Amy’s death very well. It was a nail biting read to a young teenage girl! Anyway, that was the start of my obsession with all things Tudor and Elizabethan, and the mystery of Amy’s death still fascinates me.

[@reginawhitlock4227]

I loved Jean Plaidy, and I, too, read her as a teen. It's how I first learned English history, endlessly fascinating!

[@susanmorgan8833]

@@reginawhitlock4227I'd read Jean Plaidy also, and was fascinated with English history to the point of later obtaining a BA in English History. I still read quite a bit of it.

[@elanerosok4513]

Same here‼️

[@Nana-vi4rd]

If she had cancer of the Breast, it could have moved into her bones, weakening them so that falling down the stairs would have caused her neck to break and even with her hood on hitting her head the bone of the skull could have been soften enough to split open as well. Or it could have been someone who hated Robert enough to want him tried and executed for his wife's death to get him out of the way for their own advancement at court. He certainly had enough enemies at court for that.

[@lspthrattan]

Yes, except that the bones being soft or weak wouldn't account for the two inch deep gash in the skin overlying the area. I think your second theory works better.

[@brontewcat]

The breast cancer theory has been around since the 1950s. It is possible she struck her head as she fell causing the dint.

[@carinetang776]

I still don't think it was a framing of Dudley. If you're trying to frame someone, why arrange the body at the bottom of the stairs to leave events open to interpretation? Why make it look like it could have been an accident, when you can instead leave her bludgeoned in her bedroom? Nobody's going to think THAT was an accident! Then you would absolutely and unequivocally make Dudley a murder suspect.

[@kayallen7603]

@@lspthrattan It would if her head had smacked up against something metal or a corner on the staircase.

[@jasonmack2569]

@@carinetang776 Also if he had the influence to have someone killed would he not also be able to have the report state it was murder.

[@NaomiJameston]

(Several years late, but I just found your channel the other day.) I wanted to speak on the dresses as a factor against her suicide. A few years ago, I started having gallbladder attacks. They were horribly painful and came on almost without warning. Over the course of about a year, they started coming on more and more frequently. It was when they were happening weekly that I finally saw a doctor for them. She sent me to a specialist, who wanted to have me in surgery that afternoon. I refused. My fear of surgery- of going under anesthetic and never coming back out, of dying on the table, etc., etc.- was stronger than the pain. We scheduled it for two weeks later. Over the course of the following weekend, I went from being calm and relatively cheerful to begging my husband for a knife, a spoon, anything that would get my gallbladder out. I prayed for an end to the pain. And I called my doctor to beg him for a sooner surgery. Thankfully he had an opening a day or so later, and I was pain free and gallbladder-less in 72 hours. So yes, I absolutely can believe Amy Dudley could go from a happy, not-quite-content wife cheerfully ordering dresses to a woman willing to face eternal damnation in under two weeks. Personally (and this is probably quite obvious, given my story), I think Amy did commit suicide. I don't know if it was to release herself from her pain or to release her husband to marry again or even possibly as a last act of revenge against her husband and the queen. A way to get the last laugh, maybe. Anyway, this was a fantastic video and I enjoyed every moment! I can't wait to watch the rest of your work.

[@Goodiesfanful]

Reports say Amy was already dying, so why would anyone need to kill her? Someone wanting to discredit Dudley or the Queen?

[@ritchiemann8163]

only person who gained from this death was William Cecil.

[@steppy3736]

Chris Skidmore wrote a fascinating book about Amy Robsart and there is no evidence that Amy was ill, only rumors.

[@kristinetaulbut4975]

To destroy Dudleys rep

[@annmarielyn1869]

I would like to know more about the actual staircase: how steep it was, was there a railing, was it curved or straight, was it made of wood or stone? These could affect the body's impact. Also Amy had her hood over her hair. Was there traces of blood in the hood since head wounds bleed profusely. Was Any dressed for staying at home in her apartment, or was there outer apparel worn? Could she have been planning to go secretly meet someone? An intact hood sounds like it may have been put on the body afterwards. Surely it would have been dented or crooked after the fall. I think murder not suicide. And the assassin made an error with the hood after he killed her.

[@MsLogjam]

My money's on Cecil or someone like-minded. They or whoever they contracted to do it might have been too squeamish to treat an innocent noblewoman violently and so used the minimum of force. Sweet Robin made a lot of enemies. One of my favorite bits from Elizabeth R is when one of the other noblemen declares that, "One day, Dudley, someone's going to plunge a dagger into your heart." To which Dudley's own sister rejoins, "If he can find it!" Another possibility is that she was killed by someone who honestly thought they were doing a favor to Dudley and Elizabeth and were desperate for Elizabeth to produce an heir.

[@leanie5234]

I agree re the third party doing the deed as a favor...not necessarily with their friend's knowledge. I always thought that it could easily have been one of Robert's retainers who thought that they were helping Robert. Anyone remember the death of Thomas Becket ? Same kinda thing. Robert may even have complained about his wife to a servant, calling her a millstone and wondering why she didn't just die of her terrible illness already...

[@larissa-ng6lg]

J

[@maxalberts2003]

You are a brilliant historian and gifted storyteller. Brava! Thank you.

[@coralrault2275]

I have read alot about poor Amy, I felt sorry for her. Always believed Cecil needed her killed to set up Robert Dudley to stop his desires for Elizabeth and the crown and ruin his reputation. Cecil knew Dudley wanted power through the queen. The Dudleys were always power hungry. Only just stumbled onto Kat's wonderful videos.

[@tanithkershaw]

I can’t like this enough. You are such a good story teller , wonderful thank you x

[@marisurratt1282]

I've thought for decades that William Cecil was behind Amy's death. He hated Dudley and knew that a scandal around Amy's death would make it impossible for Elizabeth and Dudley to ever be together. I'm sure Elizabeth and Dudley both were heartbroken by the turn of events. Elizabeth even kept the last letter she ever received from Dudley which shows the depth of emotion she had for him. They were indeed star crossed lovers.

[@juanitarichards1074]

Cecil was a secret go between long before Elizabeth became queen. He got secret messages to her when she was under house arrest when Queen Mary was having the Wyatt rebellion investigated. He had always intrigued on Elizabeth's behalf and did so later in his own interests - and the Queen's. If she fell so would he......

[@riotgrrrlzgaming]

Many, many, many years ago, I studied Medieval History as a second major in college. I love The War of the Roses and Tudor eras..I absolutely adore your KZbin series. I can't get enough!

[@patriciapalmer1377]

I believe the last thing Elizabeth wanted was marriage and especially to Dudley. While she may have loved him, she was well aware of his rabid ambition and was too intelligent to put a schemer in that position. In fact, I think she liked Amy and found her the perfect excuse not to marry Robert, enabling her to keep him as close as she desired when she did, and dismissing him when she so desired. I think she accidentally fell and tripping over those "deadly" skirts is easier to understand than any plot against her. Nov 2021

[@usagi18]

My sister's BFF almost died few weeks ago by falling of the stairs. The culprit? The long evening gown she was wearing, stepped on it and went unconscious immediately. She had a 30% chance of survival. She miraculously made it and thanks to modern medicine, she's doing great and recovering at home. Would she have made it in the 1500s? No way Jose. So yes, I do find the staircase and a reinassance dress perfectly capable to do that kind of damage

[@alagorical8001]

you are an epic teacher xx

[@toddbonin6926]

Dr. Kat, you are my dream channel come true! I never tire of Tudor history (or any English history, except the Hannoverian period, which bores me). Thank you so much for all you do! And I think it was Sir William Cecil. 😉

[@Theturtleowl]

It makes me so excited that we are still finding documents like this. Who knows what is still undiscovered? Also, there is a documentary called 'Medieval Murders - Amy Dudley' about Amys' death if anyone wants more information.

[@randysmith7189]

It's May 2, 2020, I am under lockdown and watching a marathon of your very informative and entertaining videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your most excellent way of making it all so interesting and relatable to a non-Brit.

[@juanitarichards1074]

Elizabeth may have effected to be outraged over Mary Queen of Scots execution, but she did knowingly sign the warrant and later tried to blame the servant.....She also tried to get Mary's latest jailer, one of Elizabeth's courtiers and counselors involved in a plot to poison the now aging and ailing Mary, so that she wouldn't have to be responsible for her execution. The counselor was horrified and refused. Elizabeth was not nice to Mary in many ways and let her know she was "inferior". When Mary escaped over the border into England and was staying as an invited "guest" at another courtiers castle, she arrived in nothing but her ragged clothing and she was unwell. She asked for help with clothing and Elizabeth sent her some raggedy old dressings and ripped stockings. Mary was mortified. Elizabeth was not a very nice person underneath the great queenly air. She was every inch her ruthless father's daughter and she gloried in him and his memory, despite what he had done to her innocent mother.

[@KR-ue1gd]

Elizabeth I was all about plausible deniability, I think. She signed the warrant, but "Oh! I didn't send it! I didn't mean it!" She wanted Mary gone in a way that she could blame on her counselors misreading her intentions.

[@brontewcat]

Juanita Richards Actually it is not true that Elizabeth only sent rags to Mary when she fled to England. That is an interpretation of a letter Mary sent to the French King. Mary clearly tried to minimise what Elizabeth sent. The records from the Royal Wardrobe indicate an account for 30 ells of black velvet, 30 ells of black satin and 30 ells of black silk (roughly 90m) being sent with Lord Knollys for the Queen of Scotland. As Mary was 6ft, clearly none of Elizabeth’s clothes would fit her, so Elizabeth sent the cloth up to make up clothes for her.

[@merricat3025]

You had me until you said innocent mother. Anne Boleyn wasn't an innocent. She too was conniving.

[@deemcdaniel9150]

She might have been conniving, but she was innocent of what she was convicted of and the men were also innocent of that charge.

[@helenchappell6502]

Mary Stuart continuously plotted to kill Elizabeth and place herself on the throne of England. Mary thought her Catholic religion as well as her enormous personal ambition entitled her to be Queen. Mary was devious, narcissistic and amoral.As to Elizabeth’s feelings toward her mother, she was only six and lived in a separate household from both parents. It was recently discovered that a ring she wore concealed a portrait of her mother.

[@janjohnsonamarillas3386]

My 40 year old daughter fell down some stairs and got a huge deep gash in her upper thigh left a nasty scar , she said she just simply lost her balance kind of steep/thin stairs ! Thank you for posting this !

[@indiciaobscure]

This 'murder mystery' is extremely interesting and well presented! I would love to see more videos like this. I'm surprised to see so many comments blaming Cecil. One person mentioned the murder scene could be perceived as an accident (which was the final verdict), and anyone wishing to frame Dudley would probably want it to be more obvious. Also, in my opinion, Cecil would not have acted without knowing where Elizabeth's inclination lay. She was famously indecisive. She knew killing another Queen would be a terrible precedent and might set all of Catholicism against her, but she did want Mary Queen of Scots gone. By doing it seemingly without her consent, Cecil freed her of her the direct burden of guilt. By killing Dudley's wife and putting him under suspicion, he would be damaging the reputation of a dear friend of hers, not to mention taking away any chance she might marry him (she probably never would have anyway, but she as shown by her reaction to his second marriage, she liked him to be single). While he didn't like Dudley, I don't think he hated him enough to betray Elizabeth like this. I don't think Cecil was without principle, and murdering an innocent sick woman is different than executing a rival queen who has participated in a plot against Elizabeth.

[@sfsin3380]

From what I know of Elizabeth the first and Robert Dudley I believe that while they may have wanted Amy dead they where both smart enough not to use a method that was so suspicious. The most likely scenarios to me are that an enemy of Dudley killed Amy to make him look bad (or manipulated reports of her accidental death to make it look deliberate) or that Amy took her own life and attempts to cover this up cast suspicions on her husband. Sadly from personal experience i can tell you that doing thing like planing for the future (ordering the dresses) do not mean someone cant snap and take their own life.

[@GradKat]

Very good. I like your analysis of the death and potential suspects. I don’t know who I think might have killed Amy, if she was indeed murdered. But I definitely don’t think it was suicide. (Not because she was having dresses made - it’s a fact that people who plan to kill themselves often appear perfectly happy, make long term plans, etc, beforehand. They don’t want others to suspect what they intend, and having made up their mind to kill themselves they may feel more at peace, knowing that their perceived suffering will soon be over). If you wanted to top yourself, a staircase is the most ineffectual way to do it; you could be throwing yourself downstairs all day without sustaining a fatal injury. Jump off the roof, yes, down the stairs, no. But the most persuasive argument against its having been a suicide is, as you state, Amy’s religious beliefs. I don’t think that she would have risked her immortal soul, no matter how unhappy she might be.

[@i_luv_hecklefish]

From what we know, from old records, it was a small staircase. It would've been extremely difficult to off yourself on it.

[@juanitarichards1074]

I don't think Elizabeth realized the full extent of the ructions and scandal Amy's death would bring about until it happened. it became an international scandal and scurrilous books were written about the whole affair. She really did face losing her crown and maybe her life. So to quieten down the rumours and gossip, she sent Robert away from court, more or less throwing him under the bus to save her own reputation - and throne. He had to wait to be allowed to return. She must have known by then that she could never marry him. And her marriage would have to be a political alliance......

[@juanitarichards1074]

Apparently Amy ordered a new gown and hood in expectation of her husband coming to visit - after a year of ignoring and neglecting her. She would want to look her best - theirs had been a love marriage (very rare in those times) and she may have hoped to win her husband back. But perhaps also he had told her he was bringing an honoured guest..........I've always wondered why Amy never had a home of her own, and was just moved from place to place. That was also very unusual for the time. Most married couples of their stature had a county seat or estate, or even more than one. Some had dozens of manors and estates all over England. Surely Amy wanted a home of her own. And children. She and Robert never had children. Yet he had a child later on with Lettice........

[@ReadingthePast]

Absolutely! These questions just add to the mystery, don't they?

[@grannyLynnsCreations]

This is always my belief too. She was in the way... Robert wanted Elizabeth.. and looking back at his history, he did not think clearly or wisely, just acted.. She had a lot of money, where the Dudley's were cash poor... and then there was Lettice... Dudley, did what Dudley wanted... and Elizabeth never really punished him...

[@TaraBodhi1]

Forensic analysis of her skeletal remains for signs off illness/ injury - especially the "dints" would be very interesting! I think suicide or an accident is unlikely. As outrageous as it sounds my gut is that ER1 visits Amy personally to convince her to divorce, when Amy refuses ER1 flies into a rage and 'accidentally' killed Amy. Elizabeth's men stage the scene and ER1's courtiers provide an alibi.

[@janicem9225]

@@TaraBodhi1 That would definitely explain Amy wanting to look her very best, if Elizabeth was coming to visit. Dudley may have also gone with the Queen, and after the death, helped to place Amy's body at the bottom of the stairs. Could be another reason why Elizabeth let him get away with so much... because he knew what happened, and she couldn't take the chance on it getting out, along with her being in love with him. After him being accused though, there could never be a chance of them being married, but I think they were physically intimate, and behaved quite a bit like husband and wife, until he married Lettice.

[@Author.Noelle.Alexandria]

I can prove she didn't order that dress for him to visit that day. She wasn't wearing it. But also, dresses took longer than that to make. They were elaborate, and they were sewn by hand. That takes time.

[@bcfairlie1]

Cecil had the most political motive. However without being able to look at the actual staircase in the actual house one cannot rule out accident or suicide

[@terryolsson4145]

Wow, you tell an incredible story. No stone unturned. Like a roaring game of Clue. Thank you.

[@paulashelgren5696]

I think Cecil had her murdered. That way there always be a tainted idea that Dudley had something to do with his wife's death

[@JJMarie3509]

I love that you made this a Halloween video! 2018 seems like such a long time ago! A few thoughts: You are right, we’ll never know. However, throwing yourself down a staircase seems like an unreliable way to attempt suicide. I think drowning was more common then. And if it didn’t work, you’d be alone and wounded. One thing is that Dudley and Elizabeth could never marry with just an annulment. Her legitimacy was always in question because her father had a living ex. So he would have to be a widower. I see him as more likely to be this ruthless than Elizabeth. Did Cecil have any good reason to not want Dudley as consort?

[@susanmorgan8833]

Cecil and Dudley were not fans of each other. Cecil definitely does not want Dudley married to Elizabeth, and he would no doubt go out of his way to make sure this did not happen. The well being of the Elizabeth and the State were everything to Cecil.

[@anthonytroisi6682]

Cecil had every reason not to want Dudley as consort. Elizabeth was so besotted with Dudley that Dudley could have offered advice that differed from Cecil's policies. Dudley was handsome and charming but somewhat arrogant and self-absorbed. Also, he came from a family that had been deemed traitorous and scheming. There is no doubt Elizabeth loved Dudley, but he would have been a disaster as a consort. Cecil was devoted to Elizabeth, but he definitely had an "ends justifies the means" outlook on life. If Cecil had been involved in Amy's death, it would not have been such a clumsy affair. He would not have done it in a way that left any doubt about Dudley's culpability.

[@rebeccaolsen6196]

I’ve always wondered if it was another Dudley trying to advance the family in an inept way.

[@mariposahorribilis]

Ooh, that's an interesting thought. Clear the way so that Cousin Robert can marry the queen and the whole family will benefit. I like it!

[@Luanna801]

I think this makes a lot of sense.

[@mysticrosehealings]

That is my thought as well. It was someone trying to put Robert in position to marry the Queen who clearly didn’t think the plan through. Elizabeth and Robert would have been all too aware that his wife’s murder would have fingers pointed directly at them. I don’t believe Robert or Elizabeth we’re involved at all. It was either someone close to Robert and would benefit from Robert marrying Elizabeth or Cecil trying to sabotage any possibility of Robert marrying the Queen, albeit that would have been a risky move on his part that could have backfired in multiple ways and would he have been willing to take that risk?

[@sheilalopez3983]

Rebecca, Dudley's would have been a crime of passion. Knowing his ambitions, he would have wanted to get rid of that millstone. But if she was already dying, it wouldn't make sense to have her killed. She was always sickly, so she could have simply had a dizzy spell. But the two inch deep gash, that's extreme and she would have to be very obese and she wasn't. You would need a lot of weight to get that and maybe not even then. But wait, was there an axe on that staircase? Nobody knows.

[@leslieannashing8911]

Dr Kat: What do you make of Dudley not attending the funeral nor erecting a headstone? Why would he choose to do things like this that would make him look so bad?

[@zoesmybaby]

Seems like those would have been really easy to do.

[@Bartwon]

As understand that was standard

[@gloriamontgomery6900]

It was common practice for close family not to attend funerals of a close family member. I believe the idea was that they would be too grief stricken to attend. It does seem odd.

[@bjetkabathory5185]

@@gloriamontgomery6900 The close family not attending the funeral was a tradition kept by noble women only (till the end of the 19 century). Well, there could have been individual reasons why men were not able to come, e g Richard II was too stricken by grieve to attend his queen Anne´s funeral. But not to provide the late wife with a tomb? Very strange and "not-done" from such a rich man as Robert Dudley, especially as he inherited his wife´s enormous fortune. This happened some noble families who were deeply in debts had to postpone (or even "forget") building the tomb - but I suppose this was not RD´s case.

[@Jade12568]

I have just found your videos, and after one , I have subscribed . I absolutely love this channel and your wonderful. I am looking forward to watching all the others. It is as if I just found a new pile of presents under the Christmas tree that I had no idea existed!!!!!

[@janetlynn3015]

So glad I've found your channel I love the Tudor era Dudley was Elizabeth's passion she definitely had a hand in it Elizabeth's temper knew no bounds quite a cruel woman

[@ReadingthePast]

Welcome! Thank you for commenting and for presting your argument. Elizabeth playing a role has been suggested by some and you have a great point about Elizabeth's infamously explosive temper!

[@CarolFremel-my4hs]

He looked a lot like errol flynn apparently

[@YT4Me57]

Quite handsome for the day.

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

@@CarolFremel-my4hs LOL. Now isn't that strange? And Liz looked liked Bette Davis.

[@nicolaryan1992]

THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU, I LOVE THIS CHANNEL 👌 my name is Nicky, I am bedbound due to disabilities and pain. I look for programs such as yours . HISTORICAL AND CORRECT . Also I have seen another program that had a person who performs autopsies and he read the recently found autopsy report and he said if he had read the report then he would tell the police to look for a murderer . I THINK IS WAS SIR CECIL........

[@annebowman5954]

I'm so sorry you're bed bound Nicola. I have 2 offspring with ME/CFS, so I know how tedious, and isolating, it can become. Following things like these history videos and podcasts is a wonderful way to get through the harder times ...You might also enjoy The History of England podcast site. Blogs, transcripts, so much great stuff. There's a facebook group too.... www.thehistoryofengland.co.uk

[@BleuEye]

You should do a video about Margaret of Anjou! I haven’t been able to find really any historical fiction books about her but I find Margaret to be VERY interesting! 😊🙏

[@GrainneDhu]

I doubt Elizabeth was behind Amy Dudley's death; Elizabeth would never have trusted anyone enough to carry out such a scheme. She would have given it a minute's thought and realised that anyone she commissioned would then hold a powerful bit of blackmail over her. I doubt Robert Dudley did it because he knew he'd be the first suspect. And ditto on being able to trust anyone else to kill Amy. Plus, if Amy were ill, he would know that all he need do was wait for her illness to cause her death; people did not know what caused cancer or have any truly effective treatments but they did know it existed and how it generally progressed. I think Amy Dudley committed suicide but not in the manner the inquest thought. I think she did something in some other location that resulted in the head trauma and then... got up and walked away. There are many known cases of people suffering severe head trauma where in the immediate aftermath, they can walk around and seem quite normal for a short period, up to a couple hours. Then, as the brain slowly swells, they become disoriented and die. So I think it is possible that Amy threw herself from some other height, did not die but wandered around a bit, then attempted to return to her bedchamber and collapsed before making it up more than a step or two. The blood would have been pooled wherever it was that she attempted suicide but since people assumed she died at the foot of the steps, they didn't look for a blood pool elsewhere. If the blood were outside on vegetation, it would be easy to overlook. Tangential thought: even today, it is not unusual for suicidal people to remove or set aside things they were wearing before they attempt suicide, such as hats or scarves. If she had set aside her hood before throwing herself to the ground in some outdoor location, she may have knocked herself unconscious, then come to, straightened out her clothing and put her hood (and veil) back on. Perhaps not even remembering what she had just done, due to the brain trauma. As for her state of mind, a lot can happen in two weeks. If she were seriously depressed, she may have been indulging in a bit of retail therapy to lift her spirits.

[@carolthomson4705]

IF Elizabeth had nothing to do with it why did she tell the Spanish ambassador that Lord Roberts wife was dead or nearly so before the actual event? Dudley was set up between Cecil and Elizabeth to give a legitimate reason to decline a marriage proposal.

[@thelittleredhairedgirlfrom6527]

@@carolthomson4705 Likely because of the illness she had

[@eugeniaskelley5194]

I would think from a head wound she would of had blood on her clothes.

[@GrainneDhu]

@@eugeniaskelley5194 not from a closed head wound. The skin of the face and scalp is relatively thin and elastic; people can suffer fatal head wounds without breaking the skin at all.

[@donboldon3104]

I say Amy Dudley was killed by being hit on the head with a strong object that caused the 2 inch wound. After that, she fell or she was pushed down the staircase.

[@tinapresley4286]

There would be blood if she was hit on the head. THAT is murder. Why was it said, Accident then??? HUM.... Love it that your into crime like almost the whole population now... LOL

[@donboldon3104]

@@tinapresley4286 not if the weapon remained in her head and got pulled out by the killer after she fell down the stairs.

[@louise-yo7kz]

Plausible

[@clevelandwagtail1073]

Robert Dudley, and Lettice Knolly's are my 12 grandparents

[@ReadingthePast]

Wow, that's cool!

[@clevelandwagtail1073]

@@ReadingthePast King James IV is also my 14th great grandfather. I have royals on both sides of my family, yet we are poor as church mice. I just don't understand lol. I would really love to reach a genealogist there in the UK. I have been doing research into my family for years, and have so much information saved. It really is fascinating from a historical standpoint, and may be interesting for a professional researcher looking to fill in missing gaps in various family trees.

[@ReadingthePast]

@@clevelandwagtail1073 You might find your genealogist by reaching out to the Association of Genealogists & Researchers in Archives and/or the Society of Genealogists.

[@clevelandwagtail1073]

@@ReadingthePast i will have to Google them and see what I can learn, and will let you know. There is a GREAT site called FamilySearch.Org that is free, very easy to use, and has tons of information. It is ran by the Mormons (I am not Mormon) but their job is to try and trace all of us back to Adam, and Eve. They have been doing this for over 150 years, and have the main records stored in a mountain in Utah. So, the site has birth certificates, census records, death records, family histories, and usually a synopsis of the person. I have found land grants, military records, and have also added a lot to them as well. I am also related to many US presidents, and is all because my family were some of the firsts to come to America, so we have helped to start this country, and just spread out lol. If you want to tell me who you grandparents are, and approx when they were born and died, I can look, and trace them back for you just to help get you started. I have a Facebook group page with almost 2,000 people, and most of us are cousins, all going back to a small town in Virginia where my grandparents are from. So, I love finding out interesting things to share with them. I helped my cousin find her step brother in 2 days, and found a long lost close nephew of my aunts they had been looking for. So, I am rather good at it. I have again, been doing it for a hobby for years, and would like to write a book about it all. BTW, I REALLY enjoyed this video and will have to watch more, it was extremely interesting, as I have thought that Robert had her killed, then went away to be with Elizabeth, but the heat was too hot over her death, so he went to Lettice for "comfort." We know how men are, they are not rational, and nor do they think with their heads lol

[@JeanieD]

Cleveland Wagtail , I have spent many years researching my own family history, and that of several other close friends. I’ve been to seminars, read books on how to do proper research, etc. I say that as a preface to this warning: do not take the information you find on any family tree from Family Search, Ancestry, Find My Past, or any other source (unless you know that it was researched and compiled by expert or at least advanced genealogists) as “gospel truth”. I have seen so many of them with horrendously obvious errors, and a lot of the trees just copy & paste from other trees without bothering to analyze whether they are correct. Almost all families have “stories” about ancestors that are not true (I’ve proved several of them in my own family to be untrue , with help, of course). It sounds like you may know all of this already, but someone else reading these comments may not, and it’s so critical that those of us who really love genealogy be very careful to emphasize the importance of good research, good sources of data, and careful critical analysis before adding information to a family tree. Now that I’ve said my piece on that, if your family tree has been verified, then that is very cool! I also have ancestors that were among the first settlers from Europe in North America (New Amsterdam, Beverwyck, etc.). I am distantly related to Barbara Bush (and therefore one President, anyway), but have not found verifiable evidence of any relation to royalty. It doesn’t matter to me, though. It really gets one more interested and excited about history. 🙂

[@annewebster8881]

Dear Dr Kat, Thank you for this fascinating , scholarly, absolutely brilliant study of Amy Dudley‘s death and the associated tangled webs Anne

[@kfemme68]

My thoughts on this (and they're what I've thought for quite a few years) on this case. Elizabethan history is probably my favorite time period for English history. I think Cecil was responsible for it, for the reasons you laid out. He didn't want to lose any of his power and if Elizabeth married Dudley then he would have even more power than he had as her favorite and I think Cecil worried that it would rival his or be more than his. Cecil wasn't going to allow that to happen so he made sure that he involved Dudley in a scandal that would keep Elizabeth from marrying him. I think he saw it as his only way to protect her from Dudley, who he saw as just being someone that didn't really care about the Queen. Cecil thought that if he could block Dudley from the throne then he was protecting Elizabeth because I think he thought everything he did (even the things he did against her wishes) was for her own good! I will say, just for the information, that 2 weeks is a long time when you're depressed or going through some other mental health issue. I had no clue 2 weeks before my suicide attempt that I was going to do that. So I don't know that ordering the dress is reliable to go from. Actually, you can shop more sometimes when you're depressed than when you're not. But that doesn't change who I think was responsible for her death and that's Cecil! Thanks for the video, even though I know it was 3 years ago for you. I love your channel. Take care, k

[@anniegetchergun]

I'm just revisiting some Dr Kat videos. Each time I re watch I learn something new.

[@donnalynpompper4308]

Love your channel, Dr Kat. Can't stop watching! Surely there were "hit men" so that Cecil (or Walsingham) didn't have to soil their own hands.

[@Lizzie-ve7kt]

This story is so fascinating to me, thank you for your always thoughtful and interesting storytelling. As a history student your videos are always an excellent example of careful studied speculation based on primary sources and understanding of the period of time in which you are discussing and I greatly appreciate your ability to consider all evidence and points of view rather than ignoring something that may be in conflict with another piece of evidence. I had actually never heard the detail of Amy’s hood being over her head and that key piece of evidence has now had me questioning everything I thought I knew about the case as previously I had thought it was an accident or suicide due to her sending all of her servants away, but the evidence of the hood makes it seem very staged after the fact and now has me leaning toward murder rather than outright dismissing it as speculation and gossip from the era. I love how your videos are so convincing due to your thoroughness in your analysis and assessments of primary sources rather than mere conspiracy theories.

[@desireestpaul6071]

Dr. Kat, I loved this!!!! Thank you for your insights into this 500 year old murder mystery.

[@penneycason9269]

One of your episodes I missed. All brilliant, cos I’m watching now. Thankyou so much Dr Kat🇦🇺👍🏼

[@gwinniboots]

I think her husband is the most likely suspect. He was desperate to impress Elizabeth and he had, I think, a tendency to rashness. He maybe didn’t think it through and he would have found it hard to poison just her in someone else’s home. Apologies, Robert, if you were innocent of this crime. Thanks Kat- an intriguing mystery presented in your usual excellent way.

[@APocky]

I've always believed it was Cecil who orchestrated Amy's death. I love the other suspects you've mentioned too! Thank you for such a well done and well researched video! Keep 'em coming!

[@sophroniel]

Much ado is made of the hood not falling off; I have to say that from wearing many, many hoods for reinactments and being naturally clumsy, the number of pins and fixtures keeping such hoods to your hair is such that yes, it could've absolutely stayed on, even through quite vigorous falling and pulling-at least in both my opinion and experience, anyway. Also from experience, nothing showing outside on her dress etc didn't actually preclude her from being hurt underneath; I was in a cycling accident and wearing pants made out of a gardarobe kind of fabric, and the pants were totally untouched, seemingly, but underneath I had such severe road rash I needed stitches, but the fabric was stronger than my skin and didn't rip (and I think also stopped it bleeding too much). If you consider that such a hood was stiffened with buckram and that the lappets may have been very dense, thick velvet, and then also consider the climate, while I agree that it initially does not seem to be plausible, in fact I do believe that her falling but maintaining her costume in such a way etc could in fact be honestly quite possible (although I do completely see your reasonings). We will never know for sure, either way though, sadly!! Edit: grammar & spelling

[@sarahholland1375]

You read my mind, her hood could have stayed put & her hair & the hood soaked up the blood. Dead bodies don't bleed, so if she died instantly thru massive head trauma, there wouldn't necessarily be copious amounts of blood.

[@dorothywillis1]

You are correct about a firm fabric not being damaged although the flesh underneath is. I knew a teenage boy who had a bicycle accident and afterward complained his leg hurt. His mom didn't think it could be serious, as the blue jeans he wore were not damaged, told him to take them off and she'd take a look. When he lowered them she saw that the flesh of his leg looked as if it had been sliced with a knife! She said nothing but, "Pull up your pants. We're going to the hospital." A nurse there told her they really liked cases in which the person had been wearing heavy pants because it meant the wound was clean. Otherwise there was a lot of dirt and gravel to be picked out.

[@beth7935]

Nice answer from someone who's actually worn such hoods! I've done mediaeval re-enactments, but in earlier period garb with a veil, nothing like a Tudor hood; but I was also thinking the hood could be easily explained.

[@felisavazquez-abad9893]

I am a new subscriber. Love the series and the style. As a Professor (but of math and computer science) I appreciate enormously the work that you do and the manner in which you integrate the technology to weave the stories and help the viewer understand. You have great style and choice of topics. I am wondering about the poll. It is no longer there, and I have my own thoughts about it, I was curious to see the results. Thank you for your wonderful videos!

[@karensilvera6694]

My mother fell down a flight of stairs while holding a mug of beer. That dang mug landed right side up, directly next to her head, without a drop spilling out. She had a dent on the side of her head (she landed on her back). Her heart stopped and by the time I got to her she already had bluish lips. She was lucky. I was a first responder. She was airlifted to trauma and lived for another 20+ years. She had sustained a serious brain injury and had several surgeries. When I got home that night from the ER there wasn't a drop of blood on the floor.

[@katharper655]

I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MUCH YOUR VIDEOS ENRICH MY LIFE. YOU, DR. KAT, ARE A JEWEL!

[@bmogs1720]

18:40 I agree with poisoning being the feminine choice of killing someone. Bludgeoned and dragged to another place seems like a masculine inspired death. although if Amy was getting a bit a arsenic in her tea each day, which would slowly meddle with her brain, driving her to madness a 'fall down the stairs' might be easier to accept in her weaker state or the 'feeble mind' ends up being admitted to the mad house.

[@PercyShelley888]

Katflix!!! Gotta love that. Love your channel... accurate, fun, thankyou for all you do. 👑👑👑👑👑

[@AndrewMartinIsHere]

Hello from 2020, which is definitely going much slower than 2018 😣. Thanks for helping it along though - just discovered your channel this week.

[@pessimisticideas3075]

I would absolutely love to see this turned into an ongoing series!! 😍

[@jasonmack2569]

Just a few thoughts. On the whole, was a death warrant something that Elizabeth could act decisively, or as in the case of Mary Queen of Scots was she generally very uncomfortable with. Would Cecil not have the means to influence the findings to say murder: conversely Elizabeth or Dudly could have had the findings come out as suicide. Could there have been a 4th suspect? Amy lead a very independent life perhaps she was involved in something that nobody was aware of. The hood is why I think it was murder. In Tudor times a married woman always had her hair covered. The killer planning to move her body may have made sure she was correctly dressed for being outside of her room, ie shoes, hood ect. I can also see a killer putting her hood back on out of guilt. Many killers do in fact try and cover or show respect to their victims, due to guilt. Strange as it may seem.

[@Luanna801]

From what I've read, the reluctance Elizabeth showed towards executing Mary, Queen of Scots was unusual, both because Mary was her cousin and a fellow anointed Queen (considered literally G-d's representative on Earth by the religious ideology of those days, so killing a monarch was a very serious thing). Elizabeth executed plenty of people during her reign, sometimes in very cruel ways (like being hanged, drawn and quartered). But those were people who, at least in Elizabeth's eyes, would have "deserved" it, like traitors or people who were considered dangerous to the state. Having a completely innocent woman murdered is a very different thing, I think.

[@EilisLornaWalsh]

It seems (from his letters) that Robert went to great lengths to ensure that the investigation was as diverse, thorough and impartial as possible. He asked his cousin, Thomas Blount, to invite Amy’s relatives to attend the investigation.

[@jillianclaire0316]

The thumbnail for this is so awesome. Caught my attention right away!!

[@realityslidersmandelaeffec6594]

She kept his picture until she died...she loved him but I never thought it was Elizabeth. .you have me thinking thank you

[@jenniferhosmer9180]

Your amazing Dr Kat! I watch your videos daily! I love them! Thank you !

[@TheGoofygirl67]

Thank you, this is such a fascinating story, at the heart of which is a poor lady who was most likely very depressed by her situation. My thoughts are that it’s Cecil behind her death thinking he is doing the right thing for the country by making Robert Dudley impossible for the queen to marry now amidst such a scandal. I bet they were close to finding a way to be together before Cecil resorted to this awful measure. Just my opinion. Thank you. 😊

[@BeeKool__113]

I love this channel more and more with every video I find.

[@maryahern1618]

First, please let me thank you for your consistently wonderful presentations-- Your skills with storytelling are delightful and riveting! The lizard part of my brain says it was not: 1. Elizabeth (she had Dudley already, and probably didn't want to marry because she didn't want to share any power) 2. Dudley -- if he had wanted Amy offed, he'd have had it look far more convincing as an accident. Unless, of course, his goon totally screwed up the effort.) 3. Amy. The two inch wound sounds highly suspect. Somebody did that to her. Plus, her hood was still up. I first thought she may have a lover, but if she was in physical pain, would she really want a lover? Hmmm. There's a lot to chew on.... So, I vote for Cecil. To the Tower!

[@elizabethdony1228]

I am so glad I watched this. As Dr Kat went through the possible suspects, I was surprised to find myself realising that Cecil would be a likely suspect before he was mentioned. Cecil was far more powerful and well connected than I thought. The stain on Duddly"s character was permanent. My reading of late has changed my impression of both Cecil and Walsingham.

[@dorothyjames433]

It occurs to me that when Amy hit the sharp stair edge the material of the hood would have gone into that deep 2" cut or at least have been torn .

[@pamelaconticini9093]

Thank you for your posts, they are thought provoking and enjoyable 💐

[@alisoncleeton877]

If she had ordered a new dress and wanted it quickly and then wanted the house to herself I think she had a lover and maybe he did it. She could have been praying that they could be together but maybe they argued on the day. Shame we will never know x

[@jasonmack2569]

Very good point. Given that, for the times she enjoyed a great deal of independence she may have been involved in any number of things that no one knew about.

[@Dominiqueuqinimod]

Dr. Kat, firstly, your content is absolutely amazing! Secondly, I’ve got to tell you that you look like you could be my sister. I’m always astounded at how much we look alike, while watching your videos. Truly. It’s really uncanny.

[@MsKK909]

So glad I found your channel..... so well presented! Cecil got my vote. He was totally dedicated to the queen and desperately wanted an heir. BTW... I feel that the queen knew Cecil well enough to know that if she signed Mary’s death warrant, no matter what she “instructed”, he would move forward on it. That way, she could side step responsibility for the act and appear horribly distressed about it. They were so in synch, and understood each other so well, each accommodated the other. I’m sure not a word of planning had to pass between them. Optics are important. Dudley knew the gossip surrounding Amy’s death forever tainted Dudley as a viable consort to the queen. But Dudley’s failure to attend the funeral or erecting a monument is very confusing. After all the effort to plan a proper funeral and then not attend certainly didn’t help his cause. It seems like the queen would have insisted on it.... for optics.

[@beth7935]

Yeah, that's my feeling about Mary Queen of Scots- Elizabeth couldn't just execute a QUEEN without serious consequences. She needed plausible deniability, & Cecil fell on his sword and gave it to her. Just a feeling though!

[@eugeniaskelley5194]

Yah, Cecil put his life on the line by killing Mary with out her say so to go ahead.

[@pattischult9401]

Okay, Dr. Kat, this is my favorite of your videos so far (believe the fact that I've loved them all). I am very interested in true crime, and the death of Amy Dudley has fascinated me. The two-inch deep [gash] certainly does bring other questions to light, as a head wound is notoriously bloody. A clean-up was definitely in order.

[@lilibetp]

Maybe she ordered the dress to be buried in.

[@takeittodehart1507]

That’s what I thought .

[@theShamrockShepherdWagon]

Or she was expecting important company.

[@Author.Noelle.Alexandria]

A week wouldn't have been enough time to make a gown.

[@mauragibbonsvij1523]

Thank you for your excellent videos, Dr. Kat, which I have been so fortunate to have found during lockdown. This video was particularly informative and a thoroughly interesting topic to contemplate from multiple perspectives. I have also subscribed to your channel and look forward to your future content!

[@luciadilazzaro2285]

Am I the only one that wants her to make a video with Claire Ridgeway.

[@pessimisticideas3075]

That is an absolutely BRILLIANT IDEA!! That would be a really interesting vid! Oh, please Dr. Kat- you must look into making this idea a reality!

[@XtreamBrands]

Ooooh so glad you have nice long video!! I just can't get enough of your videos and hats off to the fantastic editing work too! New sub here!

[@bmogs1720]

13:50 I am sure that even if Amy seemed happy to live in luxury in the house without a lot of contact with her husband etc, to say a woman still won't worry about who her husband is with or what he is doing is naive. To think this wouldn't play on her mind is assuming she has a strong self esteem. What is happening around her in the big picture, and what does she know or listen to in rumours.

[@ellaw356]

This is still my favorite video of Dr Kat’s!

[@amysbees6686]

Fascinating! One of my favorite historical periods! Somewhere I thought I read that ER1 was so shocked at AD's death she sent RD away. He of course subsequently married LK. If that was the case, I doubt RD would have been unable to predict ER1's reaction, given he'd known her since childhood. ER1 was VERY politically shrewd. She played all the various suitors til in old age. She knew EXACTLY how important an advantageous marital alliance, and heir, was. Lord knows how Cecil kept reminding her of it. Marry a commoner? Doubtful. ER1 was far too aware of her royal status. Cecil could AND would do whatever is necessary to remove a threat to the Crown and the Realm. Period. Full stop. Cecil no doubt had faithful minions who could be depended upon to discretely perform any necessary task he put before them. Suicide, regardless of how desperate one's situation might be, was an seen up until fairly recently to be such a grievous sin, it's punishment was a powerful deterrent. AD would have had to have been severely mentally ill in order to ignore that prohibition. As for ordering a new gown, it is typical of those seriously contemplating. suicide (and who successfully accomplish it) will. GIVE things away, as oppose to acquiring new possessions. I know this personally from the experience of a family member. Bottom line: Cecil did it.

[@carolwinter2272]

I was excited to find your channel today. Am binge watching episodes that fascinate me. Lol

[@suewilkinson910]

All these years of knowing about Amy Dudley and her untimely end and I never came across the fact that she had holes in her skull! Awful. Poor woman.

[@dolinaj1]

Such a riveting forensic inquiry - merci beaucoup. Without drawing strict parallels, you, History Calling, and the late Hilary Mantel are my favorite, and most esteemed imaginative, fastidious historians and novelist. I believe there was no sinister actor or agent behind Amy Robsart’s death. I believe she either flung herself down the stairs for any number of reasons, or slipped and fell. She was perhaps fatally ill, and knew her absent, ambitious, and infatuated husband wanted QEI and power and wealth.

[@businessfinancecoach]

I think Cecil makes the most sense :)

[@SuzaneLeblanc]

Hello from Paris. I love your channel. I haven’t read all the comments, sorry. I’ll nevertheless challenge the 2 main points of your theories: 1- Weren’t hoods being held in place with pins? 2- There can be severe damage to the skull without external bleeding. The depth of the wounds seem to indicate a cranial impact (one half an inch and the other no less than 2 inches deep) If it was about superficial lacerations, even at the time, investigators would have expected a bloody crime scene.

[@cynthiaweathers6979]

I think she was murdered elsewhere and positioned at the bottom of the stairs. I think her husband had it done so he could marry either the queen or the woman that he married in secret.

[@Chihuahuanovascotia]

Absolutely loved your content. Adore your delivery and you argue like a learned ... I almost want to say say Lawyer but no, much better than that. Thank you . I look forward to your next.

[@DannyJane.]

My philosophy is to always start looking for the person who had the most to gain. Now who that person might be is always a P.O.V. prospect. So if you see Robert Dudley as having the most to gain--killing his wife is absolutely the WORST way to go about it. Neither Dudley nor Elizabeth is a fool. There were a lot of better ways to go about removing Amy than pushing the poor woman down the stairs. It's also much too chancy. Not everybody dies of a tumble down the stairs or I wouldn't be typing this, having done so twice. Cecil, OTOH, had EVERY reason to promote a suspicious death. However, that also came with attendant risk, since there was no way to be certain that A. Amy would die, or B. that his agent wouldn't be discovered or talk about it. So while he COULD have arranged it, I believe he was too cautious a man to risk it. My guess is that Amy's death wasn't really the result of any individual's plot. The scenario that I see is that Amy, sick and despondent, knowing her illness is going to be long, painful and terminal, probably WAS praying for an early, easier death. She would have taken whatever painkilling concoctions were available, meaning some form of distilled poppy would have been in the mix. All the distillations from the poppy, including morphine, opium, and heroin make one very lightheaded and sleepy. Thus drugged, and possibly not even conscious, she would have tumbled limply down the stairs. It's not a far reach from there to imagine such a fall, on the irregular and unpadded steps of a Tudor house, would result in her head striking any protuberance with a good possibility of not even upsetting her headdress.

[@HappyGoHarrie]

Definitely one of my favourite videos to date! Enjoyed it so much 😊