feb 25, 1601 - Essex Rebellion

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Essex was one of the queens favourites becoming a career of a sweet wine monopoly in 1595 he also became a privy counsellor at this time. During his time at court he developed a fierce rivalry with Robert Cecil.

Essex pleased the queen in 1596 when he successfully attacked the Spanish port of Cadiz.

Soon after the victory against the spanish Essex became involved in an argument with the queen during a privy council meeting where at one point he turned his back on her and she hit him on the head. HE almost drew his sword on the queen!! but was quickly stopped just in time.

Later on the Queen sent him to ireland to deal with the Tyrone rebellion. where he not only failed to defeat the rebels but actually made a truce with them a directly against the queens orders.

On his return to England following the truce he rushed straight into the Queens quarters catching her naked/ without her wig. He quickly he fell from the Queens favour and she removed all of his wealth and influence. Angry and with nothing left to loose he began to gather supporters.

In February of 1601 he took 4 privy councillors hostage and marched to London along with his 200 supporters. Cecil was quick to call him a traitor and many of his supporters left him and others panicked and released the hostages without permission. Essex and his remaining followers were then arrested.

Essex wa put on trial for treason and was sentenced to death. During interrogation he also mentioned his sister Penelope. He was executed in private on the 25th of February 1601. Some of his supporters were pout to death and some were just fined. Elizabeth had made it very clear that she would not tolerate challenges to her authority even this late in her reign.

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