Rovert Devereaux, 2nd Earl of Essex was born on 10 November 1565 at Netherwood near Bromyard, in Herefordshire, the son of Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex and Lettice Knollys. Essex first came to court in 1584, and by 1587 had become a favourite of the Queen, who relished his lively mind and eloquence.Essex underestimated the Queen, however, and his later behaviour towards her lacked due respect and showed disdain for the influence of her principal secretary, Robert Cecil. On one occasion during a heated Privy Council debate on the problems in Ireland, the Queen reportedly cuffed an insolent Essex round the ear, prompting him to draw his sword on her.
Collections of documents pertaining to his life can be seen here. (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/searches/subjectView.asp?ID=P7953)
What makes a man with everything to gain throw it all away (http://public.csusm.edu/essexrebellion/trial.htm) and end up condemned for treason in a plot to murder the queen? (http://www.elizabethfiles.com/the-execution-of-robert-devereux-2nd-earl-of-essex/3624/)
It was said that he committed two unforgivable sins--
He tried to turn the Londoners against Elizabeth and he 'would have touched her sceptre.'
Add a third one--
he saw her without her makeup and wig when he burst into her bedchamber unannounced.
That alone would have done it!
Basically Devereaux was a spoiled brat.
And then he lost his head over the queen.
Robert Devereux's great grandmother was Mary Boleyn, Anne's sister.
Two of her children are rumoured to be fathered by Henry VIII. So they were bloodkin even if the rumour were not true.
No matter what the verdict on Amy Robsart's death, I think Robert Dudley came across as a class act and Robert was an obnoxious opportunist, riding on Step-daddy's coat tails.
Because he was beheaded for treason, his son was not allowed to inherit the title of Earl of Essex.
Nice going there, Robby..... ::)
I think this was some sort of testosterone driven competition between Robert Devereaux and Robert Cecil. Devereaux was so full of himself that he could not believe all of his bad behaviour would not be forgiven by the queen.
Set against Devereaux, Cecil was a model of good behaviour, a comparison that the queen made every day. So like the spoiled brat he was, when he did not get his way, Devereaux lashed out.
Well, at least it's good to know spoiled brat-edness is not a NEW trait and has existed for a long time! ;)
I totally agree, Devereeaux was much too full of himself and tried to take liberties he should not have.