Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
(1532 or 1533-1588), Courtier and magnate; favourite of Elizabeth ISitter associated with 66 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 (1585), and was involved in a number of scandals and intrigues.
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Unknown artist
etching, 18th century
NPG D21155
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Unknown artist
etching, 18th century
NPG D21156
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by George Vertue
line engraving, circa 1710-1750
NPG D21157
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by George Vertue
line engraving, circa 1710-1750
NPG D21158
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Unknown artist
line engraving, probably mid 18th century
NPG D25145
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
possibly by Sir Robert Strange
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D25146
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Jacobus Houbraken
line engraving, possibly mid to late 18th century
NPG D25149
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D37269
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D37270
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D42889
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Jacobus Houbraken
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D19634
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Simon Watts, after Federico Zuccaro
crayon-manner engraving printed in colours, 1773 (1575)
NPG D25151
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Simon Watts, after Federico Zuccaro
crayon-manner engraving, 1773
NPG D25152
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Simon Watts, after Federico Zuccaro
crayon-manner engraving printed in colours, 1773 (1575)
NPG D37266
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Robert Cooper, published by Charles Baldwyn
stipple engraving, probably early 19th century
NPG D25143
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
after Unknown artist
stipple and line engraving, early 19th century (circa 1575)
NPG D41890
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Unknown artist
line engraving, published circa 1800
NPG D20199
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Henry Bone, after Unknown artist
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, December 1812
NPG D17514
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Henry Bone, after Unknown artist
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, January 1818
NPG D17117
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
by Robert Cooper, published by Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones, published by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown, after William Hilton, after Sir William Segar
stipple engraving, published 25 March 1820 (circa 1587)
NPG D37267
Related People
- Lord Guildford (Guilford) Dudley (brother)
- Amy Dudley (née Robsart), Lady Dudley (wife)
- John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland (father)
- Lady Mary Sidney (née Dudley) (sister)
- Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick (brother)
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.