The Tudor's Dynasty podcast.

In the last episode, we ended with the death of Mary Queen of Scots.

Today, we begin with the aftermath of the defeat of the Spanish Armada, followed by

the death of Elizabeth's favorite, Robert Dudley. In the midst of the Spanish Armada, followed by the death of Elizabeth's favorite, Robert Dudley.

In the midst of the public rejoicings over the defeat of the Armada, an event occurred, which,

in whatever manner it might be felt by Elizabeth herself, certainly cast no damp on the spirits

of the nation at large, the death of Lester.

The death of Lester forms an important era in the history of the court of Elizabeth, and also in

that of her private life and more intimate feelings. The powerful faction of which the favorite had been the head

acknowledged a new leader in the Earl of Essex, whom his stepfather had brought

forward at court as a counterpoise to the influence of Raleigh, and who now stood second

to none in the good graces of her majesty.

But Essex, however gifted with noble and brilliant qualities, totally deficient in Lester,

was on the other hand confessedly inferior to him in several other endowments, still more essential to the leader of a court party.

His character was impetuous.

His natural disposition, Frank.

An experience had not yet taught him to distrust either himself or others.

With regard to Elizabeth herself, it had been a thousand times remarked that she was never

able to forget the woman in the sovereign.

And in spite of that prepondering love of sway, which all her life forbade her to admit

a partner of her bed and throne, her heart was to the last, deeply

sensible to the want, or her imagination to the charm, of loving and being beloved.

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