[MR] Wikipedia: Essex Rebellion, 1601

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

On this date in 1601, Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, attempted a
rebellion against Queen Elizabeth I's government. Essex had once been among
Elizabeth's favorites, but fell out of favor, and felt betrayed by the
court faction led by Sir Robert Cecil.

Hoping to regain his position with the Queen, Essex managed to get
himself named Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1599. He led a huge army there
to suppress yet another rebellion by the Earl of Tyrone. Essex was a very
poor general, and the wiley Tyrone led a guerilla campaign that harassed
the English without meeting them in open battle. Essex's campaign was a
dismal and costly failure, ending in an unauthorized truce with Tyrone.
Essex complained his failure was from a lack of supplies and financial
support from the Cecil-dominated council. When Essex returned to England he
was banned from court and placed under house arrest.

Essex raised a small army of about 200, drawing mostly on friends and
disgruntled veterans from the Irish expedition. Their aim was apparently
not to harm Queen Elizabeth herself, but to seize power from the Cecil
faction. They had hoped the common people of London would aid their coup,
but few gave any support. Many deserted his cause after Essex was
officially declared a traitor. He and his remaining followers were besieged
at Essex's residence, Essex House. After burning all the incriminating
evidence, Essex surrendered that evening.

Essex and many of his followers were tried and convicted of treason. On 25
February 1601, Essex was beheaded at the Tower of London, and was buried at
the Tower's main chapel, the Church of St. Peter ad Vincula. The execution
within the Tower itself was to diffuse possible popular support for Essex.
State executions were usually held in public on nearby Tower Hill. Four of
his chief followers were also topped, though most supporters were fined and
others simply released with a warning.

Yours Aye,


Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆