The New Student's Reference Work/Essex, Robert Devereux, Earl of

Essex, Robert Devereux, Earl of, was born on Nov. 10, 1567.  His first service was in the Netherlands under the Earl of Leicester, his stepfather.  At court he became a favorite of the queen, and was put in command of the forces sent to help Henry IV against the League in 1591.  To him was largely due the capture of Cadiz (1596).  He quarreled with the queen about an appointment, turning his back upon her in the presence of her ministers, and, when she resented the indignity with a box on the ear, drew his sword, swearing that he would not endure such treatment from Henry VIII himself.  They were never really reconciled.  After failing as lord-lieutenant of Ireland, he formed a wild scheme to get rid of Elizabeth’s councilors, who were opposed to him.  He entered London at the head of 300 men, expecting the people to rise in his favor, but was disappointed and forced to surrender.  He was tried for treason, condemned, and beheaded on Feb. 25, 1601.  Elizabeth was very unwilling to sign his death warrant, but the story of the ring given him by the queen for a safeguard and kept back by the countess of Nottingham, is now believed to be an invention.  He was a writer of verse, built a monument to Spenser, and gave an estate to Bacon.