Exclusive interview with author Chris Skidmore and a review of his new novel about Queen Elizabeth I favorite Robert Dudley and the suspicious death of his wife
Rating: 3 stars
By Gabrielle Pantera
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Gosh!TV): “It had all the ingredients of a classic murder mystery and is one of the greatest unsolved historical mysteries which has fascinated generations,” says Death and the Virgin Queen author Chris Skidmore.
“I’d been interested in the story of the mysterious death of Robert Dudley’s wife Amy Robsart for a long time. I felt that the case needed further investigation, that if I went back to the original documents I might unearth new material that would transform our understanding of Amy’s death.”
On September 8th, 1560, at Cunmor Place estate, 39 miles from London, the body of
Amy Robsart Dudley was found at the bottom of a staircase, her neck broken. For many their first thought was that her husband Robert Dudley, favorite of Queen Elizabeth, was now available if Queen Elizabeth wanted marry him. Had Robert plotted Amy’s death? An inquest would be held and witnesses called, a verdict reached. Could Elizabeth marry Dudley?
Skidmore paints a compelling picture of Elizabeth and Dudley, from their supposed romance to a previously lost coroner’s report. Skidmore is a historian who has unearthed new evidence. He provides a detailed examination of evidence old and new, particularly looking into the nature of Amy’s injuries. The prose is eminently readable.
“I wanted to get access to an original document in the Spanish archives written by Madrid’s Ambassador at the time,” say Skidmore. “The only problem was that I don’t speak Spanish. So, I used Google Translate to send an email to the archives. Within 24 hours a photocopy of the manuscript had arrived in the post!”
Skidmore has made a documentary based on the book called The Virgin Queen’s Fatal Affair. It was shown on Channel 5 in the UK and will be shown in the USA on the National Geographic Channel later in the year.
Skidmore’s first book was a biography of Edward VI. That book ranked as ‘highly commended’ at the John Rhys Llewellyn Prize. For his third book, Skidmore is researching the Battle of Bosworth, the rise of Henry Tudor and the future Henry VII and Richard III.
Skidmore is a Member of Parliament and splits his time between Bristol and London. He represents his hometown of Bristol. He is also an elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. www.chrisskidmore.co.uk
Death and the Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I and the Dark Scandal That Rocked the Throne
Chris Skidmore. Hardcover: 448 pages. Publisher: St. Martin’s Press; First Edition edition (January 18, 2011). Language: English. ISBN-10: 0312379005. ISBN-13: 978-0312379001
