Arabella

Sarah Gristwood

Although Queen Elizabeth I seemed on the one hand to favor Arbella to succed her, she would always keep Arbella in the shadows while at court. It even seemed that the aging Queen was jealous of Arbella's beauty. Also, one can not help but think that Arbella at court, was a constant reminder to Queen Elizabeth of Mary Stuart, who was beheaded for treason, and the murder of her husband Lord Darnley, during Elizabeth's reign. It was said that Arbella was every bit the beauty that her Aunt Mary was. Prior to Lady Arbella being asked to court, she lived at Hardwick Hall. Her mother died in January, 1582, at which time she became her grandmother's charge. Times were hard for Arbella, and her grandmother, Bess. In order for Arbella to be properly presented at court, Bess often had to request for a larger allowance. There were times that Bess seemed indifferent to Arbella, wallowing in...

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