In our last Tudor post, we followed Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, as he returned from Ireland in September 1599 without Elizabeth I’s permission. His campaign had been unsuccessful, and his unexpected appearance in the queen's private chamber had only made matters worse. Essex had been one of her favourites for years, but things were now very different.
In June 1600, Essex was deprived of his major public offices and ordered to remain under confinement. He was eventually allowed his freedom, although Elizabeth would not permit him to return to court. Later that year, she also refused to renew his valuable monopoly on sweet wines, which had provided him with a considerable income.
Essex was already heavily in debt, and he blamed men such as Robert Cecil for turning Elizabeth against him. By early 1601, he was gathering supporters at Essex House in London. He was convinced that the queen was being badly advised and that something needed to be done about it.
On the 7th of February, some of his followers arranged a special performance of Shakespeare's Richard II at the Globe Theatre. The play concerned a king who was removed from his throne. Whether the performance was intended to encourage support for Essex is still debated by historians.
The following morning, several senior officials arrived at Essex House to find out what he was doing. Rather than cooperate, Essex detained them and set off into London with around 200 armed supporters. He claimed that he was acting in the queen's interests and warned that her advisers were plotting against him.
But the people of London did not respond as he had hoped. Few came forward to support him, and his men were eventually confronted by forces loyal to the queen. Essex returned to his house, where he surrendered later that day.
On the 19th of February 1601, Essex and his close friend, the Earl of Southampton, were tried for treason. Both were found guilty and sentenced to death, although Southampton was reprieved and remained in prison.
Essex was not so fortunate. On the 25th of February, he was beheaded at the Tower of London. He was 35 years old.
Only a few years earlier, Essex had been one of the most influential men at Elizabeth's court. Now he had lost everything, and his attempt to regain his position had cost him his life.
In our next Tudor post, we will look at Elizabeth's final years and the growing question of who would inherit her throne.
Do you think Essex genuinely believed he was helping Elizabeth, or had his ambition clouded his judgement?
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Image info:
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, c.1597. National Portrait Gallery, London. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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