Robert Dudley: Life Story

Published 9th December 2017

Chapter 13 : Governor-General

Robert began his preparations immediately, buying new armour and special saddles for his horses, which, together with all the other accoutrements of war were to be shipped to the Netherlands. He also received permission to levy 500 men of his own. Lettice came to London, to help Robert prepare – an act which so enraged Elizabeth that she threatened to cancel Robert’s command. This may have been an excuse – Elizabeth was wavering over sending Robert – concerned for his safety, and in low spirits herself, she was reluctant to part with him.

Robert was irritated and desponding. He wrote to Walsingham that he could not understand what Elizabeth’s intentions were ‘For my part,’ he wrote ‘ I am weary of life and all’. But Elizabeth thought better of her hesitation, and confirmed the appointment. All was ready, pending the acceptance by the States-General of the Treaty of Nonsuch.

Owing to the vagaries of winds in the English Channel, the copy of the signed treaty was delayed, and this irritated Elizabeth further – she took out her frustration on Robert, who again confided to Walsingham that ‘Her Majesty, I see, will make trial of me how I love her and what will discourage me from her service, but resolved I am that no worldly respect shall draw me back from my faithful discharge of my duty towards her, though she shall show to hate me, as it goeth very near, for I find no love or favour oat all.’

Elizabeth, of course, was concerned not only for Robert’s safety, but also whether the whole enterprise would provoke Spain too far, and also she feared that she might lose Robert’s loyalty – once in the Netherlands, power might go to his head, and lead him to accept a role there that might indicate she herself was accepting sovereign power. Elizabeth, whilst often appearing changeable, never changed her mind on the status of the Netherlands – she wished to create the conditions for a negotiated settlement between the Dutch and their legal ruler, Philip of Spain.

Others, however, including Robert himself, thought that a more impressive title or position for him, would help him achieve the war aims in a society that was desperate for leadership after the death of William the Silent. Both Robert himself, and Cecil, believed that Robert’s mission was a God-given opportunity to advance the cause of Protestantism. Nevertheless, Elizabeth remained adamant. Robert departed London for Harwich, on 8th November 1585, as Lieutenant-General of the Queen of England. He was accompanied by 700 cavalry in a fleet comprising 100 ships, filled with all of his gear – including a troupe of actors.

Robert’s arrival at Flushing was met with enthusiasm, only rivalled by the greeting he received at The Hague. There were processions, bonfires, flowers thrown in the streets, fireworks, bonfires and banquets – all the glorious adulation that Robert was used to seeing directed at Elizabeth, was now directed at him – theoretically as her representative, but it would be a rare man who did not let it go to his head.

And it did – on 14th January 1586, Robert graciously accepted the title of Governor-General of the Netherlands, in express contradiction of Elizabeth’s orders. He was sure that he could persuade Elizabeth that, now it was done, she would realise it was for the best. He wrote to Cecil that ‘It is done for the best, and if so her Majesty accept of it, all will be to the best.’ Another letter was dispatched via William Davison, another Privy Councillor, to acquaint Elizabeth with the reasons for his acceptance of the honour.

Robert was solemnly installed on 25th January (or 6th February according to the new Gregorian Calendar in use in the Netherlands by then). This ceremony granted him power above and beyond that vested in him by Elizabeth, to ‘execute and administrate’ in the territories, with the same powers as previous Governors, appointed by the Spanish crown, had had.

Whilst Robert had sent Davison to England in January, the weather conspired to keep him from delivering the letters to Elizabeth until late February. In the meantime, she had heard from Cecil that Robert had been offered the role, and she was adamant that any acceptance of it would be an illegal, as well as a dangerous affront to Spain, and would ‘make her infamous’. If Robert had been so foolish as to accept it, he would have to resign the office.

Elizabeth probably did not anticipate that Robert would defy her express authority – when she discovered that he had, she was beside herself with fury, especially as she heard it from other sources, Davison not having arrived with letters addressed directly to her. Nothing Cecil, Walsingham or Hatton could say about the merits of Robert accepting the position could mollify her.

The queen reached new heights of fury when it came to her ears that Robert’s wife, Lettice, was preparing to join him in the Netherlands, with a large and extravagant suite of ladies furnished with ‘coaches, litters and side-saddles’ to make up a court that would rival Elizabeth’s own. Whilst Elizabeth had forgiven Robert for his marriage to Lettice (largely by ignoring it, other than when she comforted him over the loss of his three year-old son in 1584), she certainly had not forgiven Lettice, and any trip to the Netherlands was instantly forbidden, although Robert’s supporters claimed that it was just a rumour.

Still not having heard directly from Robert, Elizabeth sent orders, written by Walsingham, that she would ‘disavow wholly that which was done therein’ – that is, by Robert in the role of Governor-General. Cecil and the others pleaded with her to listen to the arguments in favour of Robert’s actions, but she would not tolerate defiance.