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4th September 1588Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester died, he was 56Affectionately known by Elizabeth I as her 'Eyes'...
04/09/2026

4th September 1588

Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester died, he was 56

Affectionately known by Elizabeth I as her 'Eyes' and her 'Sweet Robin', Robert was her childhood and life long friend, possibly the only man she would have considered marrying, he had been by her side for most of his life. They had clearly been very much in love yet for Elizabeth duty to her Country would always come first

His youth overshadowed by his father’s part in placing Lady jane grey on the throne, twice married Robert was presented as a potential husband by Elizabeth to the widowed Mary Queen of Scots .... neither party being keen on the union
He survived the scandal surrounding the suspicious death of his first wife Amy Robsart but didn’t impress Elizabeth by finally marrying her cousin and Chief Lady of The Bedchamber Lettice Knollys. Both were banished from Court!

Robert had two sons, only one reaching maturity; Robert who was the result of an illicit affair with Lady Douglas Sheffield. Robert is buried with his 3 yr old son in Beauchamp Chapel of the Collegiate Church of St Mary in Warwick

A series of short films on Robert Dudley will be coming soon to PTLH TV : https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCOpLjR19vbsqGe_63lBaojg



Images: Portraits by Steven van der Meulen & George Gower with Richard Blackburn & Elizabeth Elle MacPherson of Past-Times Living History at Berden Village

03/09/2026

Two Queens Two Eras ... One Extraordinary Afternoon Tea

Step into history at The Talbot Hotel, Oundle, as two of Britain's most iconic monarchs come to life for an unforgettable afternoon of royal conversation, fascinating stories, and delicious treats

Join Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria, portrayed by talented historical impersonators, as they host an interactive Afternoon Tea filled with wit, intrigue, and regal charm

📅 Sunday 11th October
⏰ 3.00pm - 5.00pm
💷 £35 per person
📍 The Talbot Hotel, Oundle

Tickets are now available but places are limited
🎟️ Book online: https://loom.ly/eZEW2-s

Come along to discover more about these two amazing women, ask those burning questions & enjoy the opportunity to chat with & have your photo with Past-Times Living History's fabulous exquisitely costumed Monarchs

... where Theatre and history meet ...

Talbot Hotel, Oundle : 01832 279621 / [email protected]

At just £35 per person book now to avoid missing out!

02/09/2026

A commemoration of the Life of Katherine Parr

Join us for Sudeley Castle's annual celebration of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth wife, famously buried in the Chapel within the grounds of the Castle

On Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th September we will transport you back to meet pivotal characters including Katherine and Thomas Seymour appearing on the day

Remembered simply as the last line in a rhyme, this incredible woman is often overlooked for the intelligent, vibrant and vivacious woman she was

Come along and meet the Dowager Queen Katherine, Thomas Seymour and her entourage including sister and serial Lady in Waiting; Anne Herbert together with Lady Jane Grey and Princess Elizabeth as we commemorate the life of this amazing woman, one of the Six who 'survived'!

Visitors can also explore the Castle's exhibition rooms for an insight into the life of Katherine Parr, and her involvement with Sudeley Castle, including the re-discovery of her tomb and precious artefacts such as her prayer book with hand-written notes and her letters. Truly a remarkable woman, Queen of England and the first English woman to publish a book in her own name, discover Katherine's secrets during this enlightening event

Don’t miss the fascinating talks by Katherine and those characters pivotal to her story daily at 12:30pm & 2:30pm in The Chapel

Entry to the event is included with Castle admission tickets

Please book your tickets: 👉 https://sudeleycastle.co.uk/book/admission

ALSO - are you a Katherine (any spelling)?
Then you will be granted free admission from 1st - 6th September!
It must be your first name and please bring along photo ID to get your free entry!

We cannot wait to see you all, bring history to life and together make magical memories

... where Theatre and history meet !

01/09/2026

1532

30/08/2026

1548

30th August 1548Mary Seymour, the only child of Katherine Parr and Thomas Seymour, was born.Mary’s life was sad and ve...
30/08/2026

30th August 1548

Mary Seymour, the only child of Katherine Parr and Thomas Seymour, was born.
Mary’s life was sad and very short, her mother, Henry VIII’s widow, his 6th wife died of childbed fever shortly after her birth and within months she was left an orphan when her father, brother of Jane and uncle to the young King Edward VI, was executed

Following Thomas' death, Mary was sent to Grimsthorpe Castle to be placed in the household of her mother’s close friend, Katherine Brandon, Dowager Duchess of Suffolk. Though the cost of caring for a Dowager Queen’s child and her entourage proved too much for the Duchess who made representations for help with her funding
Sadly little Mary Seymour died sometime before her 2nd birthday as she was not mentioned in contemporary sources after 1550, presumed buried on the Grimsthorpe Estate in Lincolnshire

On Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th September meet Katherine, Thomas, Elizabeth and others at Sudeley Castle and discover more about the life of The Survivor and your chance to quiz the key players!

Book your tickets in advance: 👉 https://sudeleycastle.co.uk/events

Our series of short films on Katherine's fascinating life are available free to view on YouTube channel PTLH TV: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsgsLKbuPceBPXaR-xdRN7txSnhvCN_pX
Whilst there, why not subscribe .... it's free!
... where Theatre and history meet ...

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Image of a poignant hand made bonnet “Where is Mary” courtesy of Belinda Durrant, Katherine Parr Portrait by an unknown artist & Elizabeth Elle MacPherson as Katherine of Past-Times Living History by Mary Powys

28/08/2026

1588

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, favourite of Elizabeth I wrote his final letter to his Queen and old friend:
“I most humbly beseech your Majesty to pardon your poor old servant to be thus bold in sending to know how my gracious lady doth, and what ease of her late pains she finds, being the chiefest thing in this world I do pray for, for her to have good health and long life. For my own poor case, I continue still your medicine and find that amends much better than with any other thing that hath been given me. Thus hoping to find perfect cure at the bath, with the continuance of my wonted prayer for your Majesty's most happy preservation, I humbly kiss your foot. From your old lodging at Rycote, this Thursday morning, ready to take on my Journey, by your Majesty's most faithful and obedient servant,
R. Leicester"
He added a postscript :
“Even as I had writ thus much, I received Your Majesty's token by Young Tracey"

He died at his lodge at Cornbury, near Woodstock in Oxfordshire, enroute to take the waters at Buxton on 4th September

The Queen was grief-stricken at the death of her favourite and it is very telling of the depth of her feelings for Robert as when she died, this letter was found in a casket by her bed …. Written in her hand were the words ‘his Last lettar’



Portrait of Robert attributed to Steven van der Meulen & Elizabeth by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger

28th August 1588Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, favourite of Elizabeth I wrote his final letter to his Queen and old...
28/08/2026

28th August 1588

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, favourite of Elizabeth I wrote his final letter to his Queen and old friend:
“I most humbly beseech your Majesty to pardon your poor old servant to be thus bold in sending to know how my gracious lady doth, and what ease of her late pains she finds, being the chiefest thing in this world I do pray for, for her to have good health and long life. For my own poor case, I continue still your medicine and find that amends much better than with any other thing that hath been given me. Thus hoping to find perfect cure at the bath, with the continuance of my wonted prayer for your Majesty's most happy preservation, I humbly kiss your foot. From your old lodging at Rycote, this Thursday morning, ready to take on my Journey, by your Majesty's most faithful and obedient servant,
R. Leicester"
He added a postscript :
“Even as I had writ thus much, I received Your Majesty's token by Young Tracey"

He died at his lodge at Cornbury, near Woodstock in Oxfordshire, enroute to take the waters at Buxton on 4th September

The Queen was grief-stricken at the death of her favourite and it is very telling of the depth of her feelings for Robert as when she died, this letter was found in a casket by her bed …. Written in her hand were the words ‘his Last lettar’


Portrait of Robert attributed to Steven van der Meulen & Elizabeth by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger

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