Essex's rebellion

Question 1

Robert Devereux

Answer 1

Earl of Essex
Stepson of Robert Dudley
1584- came to court, became a ‘favourite’
1593- Made member of Privy Council
Ambitious for military success
Arrogant and disrespectful, even towards the Queen

Question 2

Elizabeth’s court split into rival groups

Answer 2

Two groups:
One around Earl of Essex
One around William and Robert Cecil
Constantly compete for royal patronage and influence
Disagreed over important matters
Undermined Elizabeth’s authority

Question 2

Elizabeth’s court split into rival groups

Answer 2

Two groups:
One around Earl of Essex
One around William and Robert Cecil
Constantly compete for royal patronage and influence
Disagreed over important matters
Undermined Elizabeth’s authority

Question 3

Queen sent Essex to Ireland

Answer 3

In 1599
Head of a huge army
Tasked to crush Tyrone’s rebellion (Nine years war)
Made limited attempts to fight rebels but failed
Made a truce with rebels
Abandoned post, returned to England without permission

Question 4

Punishment

Answer 4

Elizabeth put Essex under house arrest
Banished him from the court
Took away most of his public offices
Took away his main source of income (monopoly of distribution of sweet wines)

Question 5

Rebellion

Answer 5

Loss of political power and income caused Essex to rebel
8/2/1601 - launched rebellion in London
Aimed to seize Queen and force her to replace her closest advisors with him and his followers
Failed within just a few hours
Arrested, tried for treason
25/2/1601 - Executed

Question 6

Elizabeth’s authority undermined

Answer 6

Not serious threat to reign
Shows her authority over her court became weaker towards end of reign
Cecil’s became too powerful, lead to anger and challenges to authority
Made government less effective, difficult to make decisions