Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex, English general and politician, Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire (d. 1646)

Robert Devereux, the 3rd Earl of Essex, KB, PC (11 January 1591 – 14 September 1646), was a prominent English nobleman, Parliamentarian, and soldier whose career spanned the tumultuous first half of the 17th century. Born into a lineage deeply intertwined with English court and political life, he was the son of the ill-fated Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I who was executed for treason. This familial history likely shaped his cautious approach to conflict and his desire for a mediated peace during the ensuing civil strife.

As England gravitated towards open conflict between the Crown and Parliament, Essex emerged as a key figure. By 1642, with the outbreak of the English Civil War, he was appointed the first Captain-General and Chief Commander of the Parliamentarian army, commonly known as the Roundheads. This appointment reflected his high aristocratic standing and his known sympathies with the parliamentary cause, making him a unifying figure for the nascent military effort against King Charles I's Royalist forces.

Command and Challenges during the Civil War

Despite his significant title and the trust placed in him, Essex's tenure as commander-in-chief was marked by a perceived inability or unwillingness to deliver a decisive blow against the Royalist army. His leadership style, often described as cautious and methodical, contrasted sharply with the more aggressive tactics that some Parliamentarians desired. He was a moderate figure, arguably hoping for a negotiated settlement with King Charles I rather than a complete military subjugation of the monarchy. This political inclination often led to indecisive campaigns, as exemplified by battles like the First Battle of Newbury in 1643 and his army's encirclement at Lostwithiel in 1644, from which he narrowly escaped, though his infantry surrendered.

The strategic impasses and lack of decisive victories under Essex's command eventually paved the way for the rise of new, more radical military leaders. Figures such as Oliver Cromwell, a charismatic cavalry commander, and Sir Thomas Fairfax, who would later become a highly effective general, began to gain prominence. Their advocacy for a more professional and ideologically committed military force culminated in the formation of the New Model Army in 1645. This reorganisation and the subsequent passing of the Self-Denying Ordinance – which required members of Parliament to resign their military commissions – effectively sidelined many traditional commanders, including Essex.

In 1646, recognising the shift in military and political power dynamics, Robert Devereux, the 3rd Earl of Essex, formally resigned his commission. Though his direct military command ended, his initial leadership was crucial in establishing the Parliamentarian army in the early stages of the conflict, providing a necessary framework before the emergence of the New Model Army fundamentally reshaped the war. He remained a respected peer until his death later that year.

Frequently Asked Questions about Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex

Who was Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex?

He was a prominent English nobleman, Parliamentarian, and soldier who served as the first Captain-General and Chief Commander of the Parliamentarian army (the Roundheads) during the early phase of the English Civil War against King Charles I.

What was his role in the English Civil War?

He commanded the main Parliamentarian army from the start of the war in 1642. While he provided initial leadership and structure, his campaigns were often indecisive, reflecting a cautious approach and perhaps a desire for a negotiated peace rather than total victory.

Why was he overshadowed by Oliver Cromwell and Thomas Fairfax?

Essex's cautious military strategy led to a lack of decisive victories. As the war progressed, Cromwell and Fairfax emerged as proponents of a more aggressive and professional military, leading to the formation of the New Model Army. This new force and the Self-Denying Ordinance (which prevented MPs from holding military commands) effectively led to Essex's resignation.

When did he resign his military commission?

He resigned his commission in 1646, shortly after the significant military reorganisation that led to the New Model Army and the Self-Denying Ordinance.