Essex, Third Earl of

(Robert Devereux). Born January 1591 in London; died there Sept. 14, 1646. Figure in the English revolution of the 17th century (English Civil War); a leader of the Presbyterians.

In the 1620’s and 1630’s Essex was a member of the parliamentary opposition, which objected to the absolutist tendencies of the Stuarts. During the revolution, he commanded the parliamentary army from 1642 to 1645. He supported a compromise with the king and, like the Earl of Manchester, avoided decisive actions in the civil war. Essex suffered several military defeats, which gave rise to dissatisfaction among the radical wing of the parliamentary army, led by O. Cromwell.