Robert Devereux | |
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Earl of Essex | |
Tenure | 1576–1601 |
Predecessor | Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex |
Successor | Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex |
Known for | Favourite of Elizabeth I |
Born | 10 November 1565 Netherwood near Bromyard, Herefordshire, Kingdom of England |
Died | 25 February 1601 Liberties of the Tower, London, Kingdom of England | (aged 35)
Cause of death | Execution by beheading |
Buried | Church of St Peter ad Vincula, London |
Nationality | English |
Residence | Essex House, London Merevale Hall, Warwickshire |
Wars and battles | Dutch revolt Spanish Armada English Armada Capture of Cádiz Azores expedition, 1597 Irish Nine Years' War |
Offices | Master of the Horse Privy Councillor Earl Marshal Master-General of the Ordnance Lord Lieutenant of Ireland |
Spouse(s) | |
Issue | Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex Lady Dorothy Devereux Frances Seymour, Duchess of Somerset Sir Walter Devereux (illegitimate) |
Parents | Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex Lettice Knollys |
Signature |
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, KG, PC (/ˈdɛvəˌruː/; 10 November 1565 – 25 February 1601) was an English nobleman and a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. Politically ambitious, and a committed general, he was placed under house arrest following a poor campaign in Ireland during the Nine Years' War in 1599. In 1601, he led an abortive coup d'état against the government of Elizabeth I and was executed for treason.