Saturday, May 21, 2011
RANDOM ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA
ESSEX, ROBERT DEVEREUX, 2ND earl of(1567-1601)- son of the 1st earl, entered cambridge 1577, graduated 1581, appeared in court 1584. 1585, w/ earl of leicester on expedition to holland + distinguished himself at battle of zutphen. 1587 appointed master of the horse + 88 general of the horse, + installed knight of the garter. on death of leicester, he succeeded him as chief favorite of the queen, a position w/ injuriously affected the rest of his life + ultimate ruin. QE1 almost 60, essex 21, though aware of his advantage, + somewhat vain of the q's favor, his constant attendance on her court was irksome to him beyond all endurance + when he could not escape for foreign adventures, he varied the monotony of his life by intrgues w/ maids of honor. 1589 w/out QEI's assent, he joined the expedition of drake + norreys against portugal, but made to return, soon after a duel w/ rival favorite in w/ earl disarmed + wounded. 1590 married the widow of sir philip sidney, but dread of QE1's anger, kept it secret. when it was necessary to admit it, her anger knew no bounds, but he bore it well + " for her majesty's better satisfaction was pleased that my lady should live retired in her mother's house" + back in QE's favor. 1591 appointed command against the spaniards, recalled 1592, some years at court. 1596, after a great many 'changes of humor' o the Q's part, appt w/ lord charles howard to command an expedition to defeat the Spanish fleet + pillage cadiz. 53 merchant ships destroyed. shortly after Q's feelings change. on his return she chided him that he had not followed up on his successes + happy he returned safely + satisfied that the quick end to the expedition she forbade him to publish anything. QE offended by his tendency to assert independence + his popularity + the people blah blah sir francis bacon, hisfriend endevored to prevent a rupture. 1597 appt master of ordinance + 98 another exped. against spain. not as successful + on return went to his home. QE not pleased blah blah she slapped him + he left, swering blah. 1599 under house arrest. a little crazy. a trial. condemned. executed. he was tall, well proportioned, not handsome, but amiable + comely. learned w/ abilities, but want of prudence + vain.
