The Essex rebellion Flashcards
Who led the Essex rebellion?
Robert Devereux (The Earl of Essex)
The Earl of Essex’s relationship with queen (EARLY)
1587
Elizabeth was more than 30 years older than him but interested in him
1595 - Made him a privy counsellor
Gave him monopoly of sweet wine - this made him very rich as anyone who brought sweet wine to the country had to pay a tax to Essex
Military success and Jobs the Queen gave Devereux
1596 - military success against Spain in the capture of Cadiz
Why did Essex and the Queen fall out?
He secretly married Frences Sydney - Queen was furious when she found out
Had a disagreement (Queen refused to promote his friend) and he drew his sword on her
Then she entrusted him to Irelend
He had sponsored a play (Richard II) therefore indirectly criticised the queen
Summary of the Essex rebellion
Took hostages Locked hostages in his library Gathered people - 300 supporters Marched with 200 people Went home Hostages were gone and people left him He was captured and executed for treason (25th Feb 1601)
Why did the Earl of Essex rebel?
PERSONALITY
Temper, Proud, Brave, Stubborn, Arrogant
Different to Robert Cecil who was calm, hardworking and subtle
Almost drew sword on Queen
Why did the Earl of Essex rebel?
FAILING IN IRELAND
Jan 1599 - Elizabeth made him the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
His job was to crush the rebellious Irish but he failed to defeat Irish Rebel leader and made a truce with him
Even knighted some army leaders despite queen forbidding him from doing so
Saw Elizabeth without her wig
Elizabeth took away his monopoly, therefore he fell into dept
Why did the Earl of Essex rebel?
RIVALRY WITH ROBERT CECIL
Determined to remove Cecil from power
Robert Cecil was the son of the Queen’s main advisor
Cecil was appointed to the Privy Council in 1591 which was a few years before Essex
1601 - began to gather supporters
Who won the Essex rebellion?
Robert Cecil dominated the gov. and Privy council after the rebellion
He played a key role in the downfall of Essex - Declared him a traitor
Cecil began a secret correspondence with James VI of Scotland (who later became James I of England)
Cecil became one of James I’s most trusted advisers
