English Royal Figure. Born the only legitimate child of Sir John Robsart, Lord of the Manor of Syderstone in Norfolk. at about age eighteen, she was contracted to marry to Lord Robert Dudley, younger son of the Duke of Northumberland, and was wed on June 4, 1550. On in February 1553, Dudley's father granted Hemsby near Yarmouth, Norfolk, to the couple where they spent the first years of their marriage. Dudley was prominent in local affairs. After 1553, however, Amy was left alone as her husband curried favor at court. With the death of Edward VI, Dudley took part in the plot to supplant Queen Mary with her young cousin Lady Jane Grey. When the plot collapsed Dudley was imprisoned and condemned, Lady Amy was allowed to visit him in the Tower. He was eventually released and pardoned, leaving Lady Amy alone on their estates, while her husband became a favorite of the new queen, Elizabeth I. Lady Amy remained in the country and apparently traveled her estates extensively. In early 1560, Lady Amy settled at Cumnor Place in Berkshire. On Sunday September 8, Lady Amy apparently insisted that her household attend a town Fair, which left her effectively alone in the house. Late in the day, the servants returned from the fair and found Lady Amy lying dead at the foot of the staircase in the hall. It was determined that she had died of a broken neck. Immediate rumors sprang up regarding her death and her husband's position as the Queen's favorite. It was widely speculated that Dudley had ordered Lady Amy killed in order to clear his way with the Queen, alternately the theory of suicide was put forth due to Lady Amy's alleged depression over either her husband's indiscretions or possibly an illness. After an inquest, however, a verdict of mischance or accidental death was returned. Lady Amy's body was removed secretly to Gloucester Hall which is now called Worcester College, Oxford and was buried with the most elaborate of ceremony in St. Mary's Church. Dudley attended neither the inquest or the funeral raising further speculation and damaging his reputation. The cause of Lady Amy's death still remains a subject of speculation among historians. Her story was used by Sir Walter Scott in his novel ‘Kenilworth'.