the Earl of Essex
/ði ˌɜːl əv ˈesɪks/
/ði ˌɜːrl əv ˈesɪks/
- Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex (1566-1601) an English soldier born to an important family who was for some years a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I and may have had a sexual relationship with her. In 1601 he tried without success to make the people of London turn against Elizabeth. He was condemned to death and had his head cut off.