Marching through history – diving into Elizabethan times with Tony Riches

The first book I ever read by Tony was about Owen Tudor, the man who married Henry V’s widow. Since then, I have read all his books, enjoying how he has worked his way through the Tudor timeline. Along the way, he has produced some intriguing portraits of various women, women like Charles Brandon’s fourth wife (and very young ward) Katherine Willoughby and Frances Walsingham, destined to wed the dashing Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex, who was executed for rebelling against his queen. This segues rather smoothly into today’s post, as Tony will be introducing us to Robert’s sister, Penelope. Take it away, Tony!

Lady Penelope Rich, an Elizabethan woman who lived her life on her own terms

I’ve spent the past six years immersed in the strange world of the court of Queen Elizabeth I, researching and writing my Elizabethan series, and first encountered Penelope Devereux as the elder sister of the rebellious Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex.

I’d heard of Penelope, but knew nothing about her life, Intrigued by her modern attitude, I chose the life of Lady Penelope as the fourth book in my Elizabethan series. As well as providing a different perspective of her intolerant queen, Penelope’s story shows a different side to Elizabethan women.

Penelope’s background helps to explain her unusual character. Her great-grandmother was Queen Elizabeth I’s aunt, Lady Mary Boleyn, which means there is always the question of a Tudor bloodline from King Henry VIII, (Mary Boleyn was once his mistress). Penelope’s grandmother, Lady Catherine Carey, was the queen’s first cousin (or illegitimate half-sister?),

Penelope’s mother, Lady Lettice Knollys, enjoyed being mistaken for Queen Elizabeth – but went a step too far when she secretly married the queen’s favourite, Sir Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, after her husband was poisoned in Ireland. Robert Dudley was soon forgiven, Lady Lettice found herself banished from Court for life.

Lady Penelope Rich

 A famous beauty, Penelope was well educated, an accomplished dancer and musician. Fluent in Italian, French and Spanish. Penelope became a prominent figure in the courts of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. She was also involved in political intrigue, influencing her brother’s ill-fated Essex rebellion, and even the succession.

Her first break with conventions of the time was her affair with warrior-poet Sir Philip Sidney, who risked a scandal by making her his ‘Stella’ in his epic poem of unrequested love ‘Astrophil and Stella’. Penelope expected to marry Philip Sidney, but the decision was not hers to make.

A measure of the challenges in researching Elizabethan ladies is the range and number of primary sources, such as letters. I managed to track down only twenty-seven of Penelope’s letters in English, six in French and seven letters in Spanish. Interestingly, many use code words or are deliberately obscure, although analysis of them all reveal an invaluable sense of Penelope’s character, and how she related to others.

I began my research expecting Penelope to have been disadvantaged by her mother’s banishment from court, yet she became a Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth until her stepfather, Sir Robert Dudley, arranged her marriage to Baron Robert Rich. An unlikely choice of husband for her, he was the grandson of Richard Rich, Thomas Cromwell’s right hand man in the Dissolution of the monasteries.

Worse still, Baron Rich was an austere Puritan, so banned music and dancing, parties and fine clothes – everything Penelope loved. He was also a harsh landlord to his tenants, and prone to violence. Penelope’s response was amazing for her time, as she left her husband to live openly with her lover, Sir Charles Blount.

Lord Byron’s saying ‘Tis strange—but true; for truth is always strange; Stranger than fiction; if it could be told.’ is proven right by my research. Although historical fiction, I have only had to ‘fill in the gaps’, and believe my book is one of the most complete accounts of Penelope’s amazing story.

Excerpt:

Penelope snaps the book shut at the sound of approaching footsteps and looks up to see Lady Mary Hastings. She would love to confide her secret and show her Philip Sidney’s sonnet, but her doubts hold her back. There is plenty of time, and no need to take unnecessary risks.

Mary glances at Penelope’s prayer book with a nod of approval. ‘You have visitors. Countess Catherine has arrived with her brother, the Earl of Leicester, and they wish to see you about a private matter.’

She follows Lady Mary down the corridor to an ante chamber used for such meetings, her mind whirring with possibilities. Has something happened to her mother? Could it be to do with her dowry? Do they wish to talk about her betrothal to Philip Sidney?

Robert Dudley forces a smile as she enters. He wears a blue velvet cape over a silver doublet with pearl buttons, with a silver-handled sword at his belt, and has the look of a man who expects trouble. The countess is dressed in her black gown, and greets Penelope with a warm embrace.

Penelope senses their news is not good. ‘What’s happened, Countess?’

‘The moment you’ve been waiting for all this time draws near. You are to be betrothed, Penelope.’

She feels as if a weight has been lifted from her. No more wondering if she will end up like Lady Mary, the oldest maiden in the palace. ‘Thank you, Countess. I’ve enjoyed my brief time as one of the queen’s maids, and learned a great deal about life at court, but I’m ready.’

The countess smiles. ‘You’ve been the best of all my students, and learned your lessons well.’ She glances at her brother. ‘We have chosen your suitor. Lord Rich is a good Puritan with a great fortune, and only three years older than you.’

‘Lord Rich?’ Penelope stares at her, and struggles to understand. ‘I am to marry Philip Sidney.’

Robert Dudley shakes his head. ‘Lord Rich is a better match for you, Penelope.’ He gives her a condescending look. ‘His fortune will make you one of the wealthiest women in the country.’

‘I’ve seen Lord Rich.’ She turns to the countess. ‘He is churlish, uneducated – and shorter than I am!’ A vision of Philip Sidney in magnificent blue-and-gold armour, riding his white charger, swims before her eyes. ‘My father’s dying wish was that I marry Philip Sidney. I will never marry Lord Rich.’

‘Philip Sidney has no inheritance.’ Robert Dudley gives her a stern look. ‘The decision is made and you will do what you are told, for the good of your family.’ He speaks softly, yet the threat in his voice is unmistakable.

A thought occurs to her. ‘I cannot marry, as I have no dowry.’

‘Your grandfather has agreed to pay your dowry, and has already made the first instalment of five hundred pounds to Lord Rich.’

She feels giddy, and sits in a chair. ‘Has Her Majesty given her consent?’ Her heart pounds. She already guesses the answer.

‘I was able to put the request through Lord Burghley.’ Robert Dudley sounds pleased with himself. ‘The queen approves his recommendation, and sends her good wishes to you both.’

Penelope slumps in her chair, defeated. She looks up at Robert Dudley, tears in her eyes. ‘What will happen if I refuse?’

‘You cannot!’ His raised voice echoes in the room. ‘You must do your duty, as must we all.’

* * *

 Anna: And there died my crush on Robert Dudley….

Penelope’s life is full of love and scandal. The inspiration for Sir Philip Sidney’s sonnet Astrophel and Stella, she is inevitably caught up in her brother Robert’s fateful rebellion.

A complex and fascinating woman, her life is a story of love, betrayal, and tragedy. Discover how Penelope charms her way out of serious charges of treason, adultery, and forgery, and becomes one of the last truly great ladies of the Tudor court.

A maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth, Penelope outlives the end of the Tudors with the death of the old queen and the arrival of King James, becoming a favourite lady-in-waiting to the new queen, Anne of Denmark.

“This is the story of a woman who lived life on her own terms, and one that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.”

 Book Links:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C78KDRK3

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C78KDRK3

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C78KDRK3

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0C78KDRK3

is a full-time UK historical fiction author. He lives with his wife in Pembrokeshire, West Wales and as well as his Elizabethan series, Tony’s historical fiction novels include the best-selling Tudor trilogy and his Brandon trilogy, (about Charles Brandon and his wives).

 Author links:

Website: https://www.tonyriches.com/

Writing blog: https://tonyriches.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tonyriches

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyriches.bsky.social

Check out the previous Marching Through History post HERE!