Essex, Robert Devereux, 2nd earl of (1566–1601). Courtier. Essex's father, raised to the earldom in 1572, died when his son was 10. Essex served under his stepfather Leicester at Zutphen in 1586 and was knighted for gallantry. From 1587 he was Elizabeth's master of horse and was given the Garter in 1588. After his capture of Cadiz in 1596 his success seemed assured. But a second expedition in 1597 was unproductive, his way of life at Essex House was extravagant, and his short spell as lord-lieutenant of Ireland in 1599 was disastrous. Instead of subduing Tyrone as he had vowed, Essex met him for private negotiations. ‘Perilous and contemptible’ was the queen's terse verdict on his behaviour, and when Essex returned to England in express defiance of her orders, he was disgraced. His half-hearted attempt at a palace coup in 1600 led to his execution. Though personally brave, he was petulant and totally lacking in judgement—a mere shooting star.

J. A. Cannon

Essex, Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of (1566–1601) English courtier and soldier. A favourite of Elizabeth I, he attacked Cádiz, sw Spain, in 1596. Following a quarrel with Elizabeth, he was made a reluctant Lord Lieutenant of rebellious Ireland. He returned in disgrace six months later, attempted a coup d'état, and was executed for treason.