47 
Ampe Aobsart. 
By the Rev. Canon J. E. Jackson, F.S.A.* 
story of “Amye Robsart,” having observed upon former 
occasions, as now on this, that our Annual Meetings are honoured by 
the presence of many ladies: and though no one of them has hitherto 
stood boldly forward on the .platform to demand “ Woman’s archa- 
ological Rights,” still those rights exist, and should not be neglected. 
If the ladies are so kind as to listen to our more substantial disser- 
tations, it is simply just, that they should be presented in turn with 
variety of entertainment agreeable to lighter appetites. 
But how is Amye Robsart possibly to be connected with the 
archeology of Wiltshire? 
In the first place: her story is certainly archxological, because it 
is very obscure ; besides being to a certain extent of national interest, 
‘occupying as it does a rather conspicuous place in the domestic 
history of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. 
In the next, though, strictly speaking, it belongs to Berkshire, 
and has been investigated with much pains by antiquaries of that 
county, it is nevertheless open to elucidation from any other quarter, 
If then we have found any thing in our county of Wilts, to 
throw a little light upon it, Berkshire neighbours will not object : 
nor will a Wiltshire audience. I do not pretend to clear up the 
mystery entirely: but certainly am able to tell something about it, 
which nobody ever knew before. Some of the ladies present will 
very likely not thank me for any new discovery, preferring to abide 
by established illusions. Not that they would feel any real pleasure 
in riveting a fearful crime on Lord Robert Dudley’s memory: but 
“Amye Robsart” is so touching, so pathetic a story as it stands, 
hs HAVE chosen for the subject of my paper this evening the 
* Read at the Meeting of the Wiltshire Archeological Society, at ree Wednesday evening, 
23rd August, 1876, 
