DUDLEY

dudley, sir robert (1573-1649), titular duke of northumberland and earl of warwick, english explorer, engineer and author, was the son of robert dudley, earl of leicester (q.v.), the favourite of queen elizabeth. his mother was lady douglas sheffield, daughter of thomas, first baron howard of effingham. leicester, who deserted lady douglas sheffield for lettice knollys, widow of the first earl of essex, denied that they were married. she asserted that they were, at esher in surrey, but her marriage with sir edward stafford of grafton, after her desertion by leicester, would seem to be a tacit confession that her claim had no foundation. her son robert was born in may 1573, was recognized by leicester, and sent to christ church, oxford, in 1587. he inherited all leicester's property under the earl's will at his death in 1588, and in the following year the property of ambrose dudley, earl of warwick. in 1594 he made a voyage to the west indies, and in 1596 he took part in the expedition to cadiz and was knighted. in 1592 he had married a sister of thomas cavendish the circumnavigator. on her death he married alicia leigh in 1596, by whom he had four daughters. after the death of elizabeth he endeavoured to secure recognition of his legitimacy, and of his right to inherit the titles of his father and uncle. the proceedings were quashed by the star chamber. in 1605 he obtained leave to travel abroad, and went to italy accompanied by the beautiful miss elizabeth southwell, daughter of sir robert southwell of woodrising, in the dress of a page. when ordered to return home and to provide for his deserted wife and family, he refused, was outlawed, and his property was confiscated. on the continent he avowed himself a roman catholic, married elizabeth southwell at lyons, and entered the service of cosimo