Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex

Robert Devereux
Earl of Essex
The 2nd Earl of Essex, by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger
Tenure	1576–1601
Predecessor	Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex
Successor	Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex
Known for	Favourite of Elizabeth I
Born	10 November 1565 Netherwood near Bromyard, Herefordshire, Kingdom of England
Died	25 February 1601(1601-02-25) (aged 35) Liberties of the Tower, London, Kingdom of England
Cause of death	Execution by beheading
Buried	Church of St Peter ad Vincula, London
Nationality	English
Residence	Essex House, London Merevale Hall, Warwickshire
Wars and battles	Dutch revolt Spanish Armada English Armada Capture of Cádiz Azores expedition, 1597 Irish Nine Years' War
Offices	Master of the Horse Privy Councillor Earl Marshal Master-General of the Ordnance Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
Spouse(s)	Frances Walsingham ​ (m. 1590)​
Issue	Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex Lady Dorothy Devereux Frances Seymour, Duchess of Somerset Sir Walter Devereux (illegitimate)
Parents	Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex Lettice Knollys
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Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, KG, PC (/ˈdɛvəˌruː/; 10 November 1565^[1] – 25 February 1601) was an English nobleman and a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. Politically ambitious, and a committed general, he was placed under house arrest following a poor campaign in Ireland during the Nine Years' War in 1599. In 1601, he led an abortive coup d'état against the government of Elizabeth I and was executed for treason.