In our last Tudor post, we learned more about Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex, when he returned from Ireland without Queen Elizabeth I's permission in September 1599.
Essex spent the following months hoping Elizabeth would forgive him. On the 19th of March 1600, he was moved to his own residence, Essex House, but he remained under supervision and was not free to come and go as he pleased. He continued writing to the queen, appealing for her mercy, but his efforts brought little success.
On the 5th of June 1600, Essex appeared before a special commission at York House to answer for his conduct in Ireland. His failure to follow royal instructions, his negotiations with Hugh O'Neill and his unauthorised return to England were all examined. He was found guilty of disobedience and lost several important positions, including his place on the Privy Council. But, Elizabeth allowed him to keep the office of Master of the Horse, and he was ordered to remain under restraint.
His circumstances eventually improved, and on the 26th of August 1600, Essex was granted his freedom. He could now move about without the restrictions that had been imposed upon him, but Elizabeth still refused to allow him back to court. Essex continued hoping that their relationship might recover, although there was little indication that the queen was ready to trust him again.
Another difficulty was approaching. For years, Essex had enjoyed a valuable royal monopoly connected with imported sweet wines, which provided him with a substantial income. When the privilege came up for renewal in the autumn of 1600, Elizabeth refused to extend it. Without this money, Essex faced increasing financial pressure at a time when his political influence had already been badly weakened.
Essex had once been one of the most powerful men at Elizabeth's court, but much of that influence had disappeared. He increasingly blamed Sir Robert Cecil and other royal advisers for his troubles, believing they were preventing him from regaining the queen's favour. His supporters remained loyal, but Essex was becoming frustrated with his repeated attempts to secure Elizabeth's forgiveness.
As 1600 drew to a close, Essex began considering other ways of recovering his former position. Discussions among his supporters were becoming increasingly dangerous, and some believed that forcing a change in the queen's advisers might be the answer. What Essex decided to do next would bring him into direct conflict with the government he had once served.
Image info:
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, by Sir William Segar. National Gallery of Ireland. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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