Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester (1532 or 1533-1588), Courtier and magnate; favourite of Elizabeth I

Sitter associated with 62 portraits
Courtier and influential favourite of Elizabeth I, he was the queen's only serious English suitor. Made Master of the Horse at Elizabeth's accession, he joined the Privy Council in 1562 and was created Earl of Leicester and Baron of Denbigh in 1564. Leicester commanded the unsuccessful force against Spain in the Netherlands from 1585.