Robert Devereux was the Second Earl Of Essex. He was born in 1566 at Herefordshire and died in 1601. Having appeared at court, he soon became a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, by whom he was kept in attendance against his will during the danger of the Spanish Armada. He served with more or less distinction in expeditions to Portugal and France, the latter on behalf of Henry of Navarre. In 1596 he was commander of the troops in an expedition against Spain, and distinguished himself by the capture of Cadiz.
In an expedition next year he was less fortunate, and the queen, with whom he was always quarrelling, received him coldly. Presuming on the favour of Elizabeth I he behaved with rudeness to her at a privy-council and received a box on the ear, and was told to 'go and be hanged.' After some months a reconciliation took place, and he was appointed Lord-lieutenant of Ireland in 1599, which was then in a state of rebellion.
He returned to England in September, having been entirely unsuccessful in his government. He was made a prisoner in his own house, and foolishly tried to excite an insurrection in London. After a skirmish with a party of soldiers he was compelled to surrender, and sent to the Tower. He was tried for treason on the 19th of February, and executed on the 26th of February, 1601. Research Robert Devereux
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
People
Research Robert Devereux
