He became a favourite of Elizabeth I soon after her accession in 1558. Following the mysterious death of Dudley’s wife, Amy Robsart, in 1560 it was rumoured that he would marry the queen; this did not happen, although Dudley remained in favour with Elizabeth throughout his life and in 1564 was created Earl of Leicester. He was later given the command of the military campaign in the Netherlands (1585–87) and of the forces preparing to resist the Armada (1588).