Robert Devereux Becomes Lieutenant-General of Ireland

Robert Devereux, the 2nd Earl of Essex, was appointed Lieutenant-General of Ireland by Queen Elizabeth I of England in 1599. This appointment was part of Elizabeth’s strategy to suppress the ongoing rebellion in Ireland, known as the Nine Years’ War (1594–1603), led by Hugh O’Neill, the Earl of Tyrone. Devereux’s mission in Ireland was to crush the rebellion and restore English control over the island.

Devereux was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I but also a controversial figure, known for his ambition, erratic behavior, and eventual fall from grace. His campaign in Ireland was marked by a mix of initial successes and ultimate failure. Despite arriving with a large force, considered one of the largest English armies ever sent to Ireland, Devereux’s efforts were hampered by poor planning, lack of supplies, and his own indecisiveness.

One of the most significant moments of his campaign was his unauthorized truce with Hugh O’Neill in 1599, which was seen as a political and military blunder. This truce allowed O’Neill to consolidate his power and did not lead to a lasting peace. Devereux’s actions in Ireland, including the truce and his failure to decisively defeat the rebels, led to his recall to England later that year.

Upon his return to England, Devereux’s relationship with Queen Elizabeth had soured significantly. His subsequent involvement in a failed coup against the queen’s government in 1601 led to his arrest, trial for treason, and eventual execution in 1601. Devereux’s tenure as Lieutenant-General of Ireland and his subsequent actions played a significant role in the closing years of Elizabeth’s reign, highlighting the complexities of English-Irish relations and the internal politics of Elizabethan England.