Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, KG, PC (10 November 1565 – 25 February 1601), was an exceptionally prominent figure in late Elizabethan England. As an English nobleman and a captivating favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, his life was marked by both dazzling success and ultimate tragedy. His deep political ambition, coupled with a notable zeal as a military general, positioned him at the very heart of court power and intrigue for over a decade.

Essex's relationship with the elderly Queen was complex and volatile, oscillating between intense affection and sharp rebuke. He was more than just a courtier; he was granted significant influence, patronage, and military commands, often benefiting from monopolies like the highly lucrative sweet wine monopoly, which provided a substantial income.

The Rise and Political Rivalries

Essex's charisma and daring endeared him to Elizabeth, who was nearly 30 years his senior. He quickly ascended through the ranks, becoming a Privy Councillor (PC) and being awarded the prestigious Order of the Garter (KG), a premier order of chivalry. His early military exploits, such as his leadership during the Capture of Cadiz in 1596, where he famously stormed the city and destroyed Spanish shipping, solidified his reputation as a national hero and a courageous commander. However, his impulsive nature and soaring ambition often clashed with the more cautious and pragmatic approach of the Queen’s chief minister, Robert Cecil, leading to an intense and bitter rivalry that defined much of the later Elizabethan court politics.

The Disastrous Irish Campaign

The turning point in Essex's career came with his appointment as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1599, tasked with quelling the formidable Nine Years' War (also known as Tyrone's Rebellion). This was the largest and most expensive English military undertaking of the Elizabethan era, a conflict rooted in Irish resistance to English colonial expansion and religious imposition, spearheaded by Hugh O'Neill, the Earl of Tyrone. Despite being granted the largest army ever sent to Ireland – approximately 17,000 men – Essex's campaign was profoundly mismanaged and ultimately disastrous. Instead of directly confronting Tyrone in Ulster, as instructed, he embarked on a series of peripheral engagements in the south of Ireland, depleting his forces and resources.

His most significant misstep was an unauthorized truce he negotiated with Hugh O'Neill, which offered far too many concessions to the rebel leader and directly contradicted the Queen's express orders. Following this, in a move of extraordinary audacity and insubordination, Essex abandoned his command in Ireland and returned to England without the Queen's permission, bursting into her chambers at Nonsuch Palace. This act of blatant disregard for royal authority sealed his fate. He was immediately placed under house arrest at York House and stripped of most of his public offices and, critically, his valuable sweet wine monopoly, plunging him into severe financial distress.

The Abortive Coup d'État and Execution

Stripped of his power, wealth, and influence, and increasingly desperate, Essex became convinced that his enemies at court, particularly Robert Cecil and Sir Walter Raleigh, were conspiring to destroy him and even endanger his life. In a final, desperate gamble, on February 8, 1601, he attempted a coup d'état against Queen Elizabeth I's government. His plan was to march through London, rally support from the populace, seize the Queen, and force her to dismiss his rivals and reinstate him to power. However, the rebellion was ill-conceived and poorly executed; it garnered almost no public support. The citizens of London remained loyal to the Crown, and Essex found himself trapped and quickly overwhelmed by royal forces. His rebellion swiftly collapsed.

Essex was arrested, swiftly tried for treason by a commission of his peers (including his former friend and rival, Sir Robert Cecil), and found guilty. On February 25, 1601, Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, was executed privately by beheading within the confines of the Tower of London. This method was chosen to avoid the spectacle of a public execution on Tower Hill, which might have provoked unrest given his previous popularity. His death marked the end of an era of romantic heroism at court and solidified the more pragmatic and controlled governance that would characterize Elizabeth's final years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex

Who was Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex?

He was a prominent English nobleman, a military general, and a leading favourite of Queen Elizabeth I during the late 16th century. His life was characterized by a rapid ascent to power, followed by a dramatic fall from grace, culminating in an attempted coup and execution for treason.

Why was Robert Devereux a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I?

Elizabeth I was captivated by his charisma, military prowess, and youthful charm. She granted him significant political and military appointments, often favoring him over more seasoned courtiers, though their relationship was often tempestuous due to his impulsive nature and ambition.

What was the Nine Years' War and Essex's role in it?

The Nine Years' War (1594-1603) was a major conflict in Ireland where Irish Gaelic lords, led by Hugh O'Neill, rebelled against English rule. Essex was appointed Lord Lieutenant in 1599 with the largest army ever sent to Ireland, but his campaign was largely unsuccessful, marked by strategic misjudgments and an unauthorized truce with O'Neill, which defied the Queen's orders.

Why was Essex placed under house arrest in 1599?

Following his disastrous campaign in Ireland and, crucially, his unauthorized return to England without the Queen's permission, he was deemed to have committed dereliction of duty and insubordination. He was stripped of his offices and placed under house arrest at York House, suffering significant financial losses due to the forfeiture of his monopolies.

What was the coup d'état attempt led by Essex in 1601?

In a desperate attempt to regain power and remove his political rivals at court, Essex led an ill-fated rebellion in London on February 8, 1601. He tried to incite the populace against the Queen's government, but the rebellion quickly failed due to a lack of public support, leading to his arrest.

Why was Robert Devereux executed?

He was executed for treason following his conviction for leading the failed coup d'état against Queen Elizabeth I's government in February 1601. His execution occurred privately by beheading within the confines of the Tower of London to prevent public unrest.