Description:Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (1567-1601). Born at Netherwood near Bromyard, in Herefordshire, he was brought up on his father's estates at Chartley Castle, Staffordshire. he was Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire 1694-1601.
He was a military hero and favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. Essex distinguished himself in action 1585-1586 while serving as a cavalry officer in the Netherlands under his stepfather, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. He commanded an expedition to Normandy to help Henry of Navarre (Henry IV of France), and shared command of the expedition that captured Cádiz in 1596. He was made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1599. Essex planned a coup to oust the Queen's counsellors but failed and was tried as a traitor. Elizabeth, after some hesitation, signed the death warrant, and Essex was executed.
Engraving by J. Houbraken after a painting by J. Oliver. Published by I. & P. Knapton, London, 1738.