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| Name | Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex |
| Date of Birth | 10th November 1565 or 19th November 1566 |
| Who was he? |
Son of Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex, and Lettice Knollys, who went on to marry Robert Dudley when Devereux died. He was related to the Queen because Mary Boleyn (the Queen’s Aunt) was his maternal great-grandmother. |
| How was he linked to Elizabeth I | Royal favourite.Robert Devereux became a favourite of the Queen in around 1587, the year he replace Robert Dudley as Elizabeth I’s “Master of the Horse”. Elizabeth was said to have loved his eloquence, intelligence and his skills in courtly love.
Elizabeth famously cuffed the Earl’s ears when he was insolent during a heated debate, and he responded by drawing his sword! |
| What happened to him? | Essex got into trouble with the Queen when he returned from his campaigns in Ireland in September 1599 without the Queen’s permission. He was interrogated by Council for 5 hours and it was declared that his return from Ireland was a desertion of duty. He was confined at York House where it is thought that he spent time communicating with James VI of Scotland.He was tried on 5th June 1600 and was given his freedom but was deprived of his office and sweet wines monopoly income.
On 19th February 1601 Essex was tried and found guilty of treason. He was executed on 25th February 1601. |
| Death | Essex was beheaded at the Tower of London. He was aged 34 or 35. |
| Quotes | “Elizabeth was fascinated by the young Essex and kept him constantly by her, finding his company stimulating. He possessed all the attributes she most admired in men…All through the summer, he had been observed walking or riding with her, while in the evenings the pair of them could often be seen playing cards or listening to music ‘until the birds sing in the morning'” Alison Weir in “Elizabeth the Queen”, who points out that Essex was 33 years Elizabeth I’s junior and that she probably regarded him as a son, although he may have reminded her of Thomas Seymour. |
| Marriages and Children | Married Frances Walsingham, daughter of Sir Francis Walsingham and widow of Sir Philip Sidney in 1590. The couple had at least 3 children, including Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex. |
| Books | Robert Lacey’s “Robert, Earl of Essex”
Articles: “The Execution of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex” |
Related posts:
25 February 1601 – Execution of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
Birth of Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex – 10 November 1565
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux’s Execution – 25 February 1601
The Execution of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
Robert Dudley
Reign – Later Years
Robert Dudley
8 February 1587 – Mary Queen of Scots is Executed
The Death of Philip Sidney
4 September 1588 – Death of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
I can understand why Elizabeth never married, It would have put her crown at risk. Too bad the men in her life were not as loyal as some of her women were.
Couple quick corrections on info above: James VI of Scotland (not James IV) became James I of England. Devereaux was of course Elizabeth’s junior by 33 years, not her Senior…
Ooops, hadn’t spotted those typos, thanks for letting me know!
Consider looking into the book “The Shakespeare Code,” it puts a whole different light on the relationship between Queen Eliz I and her second “Robin” (Robert Devereaux). If nothing else, it will give you some insight into why she would treat a grown man like a child (i.e., boxing his ears). It also explains why Robert Dudley (the first “Robin” to the Queen) should marry Lettice Deveraux (becoming Robert Devereaux’s “Step father”). It is an excellent read…and, by the way, I am not the author.
wow i learn something new ever day
Did Robert marry Francis before or after he was put forward to Elizabeth?
I’m not sure what you mean, Robert Devereux was never a suitor of Elizabeth I.
i believed that she did not want to be overpowered by and used by any men that and way she choose to not get married and ruled alone.
Robert Devereux was a suitor of elizabeth but became elizabeth’s toyboy and gave her heart to him
Could you please give more details why Elisabeth did not want to marry Robert because of economic and cultural reasons
This will really help me with my course work