Earl of Essex

• The Earl of Essex was a rising star in Elizabeth's court:

  • At the age of 18 he became Elizabeth's favourite
  • His success as a military commander won him a place on the privy council
  • After William Cecil died he believed he should be the secretary of state not Robert Cecil
• However the Earl of Essex's egotistical behaviour led to his execution:

  • 1598: reached for his sword during an argument with Elizabeth
  • 1599: led a failed military expedition in Ireland
  • 1600: Abandoned his soldiers in Ireland and forced his way into Elizabeth's bed chamber
  • 1601: Plotted an armed rebellion to remove Elizabeth and put James of Scotland on the throne
• Essex struggled to respect Elizabeth's authority because she was a woman
• The Earl of Essex was called Robert Devereux