On 23 May 1644 Alice Leigh 1st Duchess Dudley (age 66) was created 1st Duke Dudley by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 43) for life. Her husband Robert Dudley (age 69) had claimed to be the legitimate son of Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester but the Star Chamber found against him. King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 43) disagreed with their verdict and, in compensation of her subsequent treatment, awarded her the Dukedom ...

And whereas, our father not knowing the truth of the lawful birth of the said Sir Robert (as we piously believe) granted away the titles of the said earldom to others ... and holding ourselves in honour and conscience obliged to make reparation; and also the said great estate which the Lady Alice had in Kenilworth, and sold at our desire to us at a very great undericon... we do... give and grant unto the said Lady Alice Dudley the title of Duchess of Dudley for life.