Voting Station

Robert Devereux

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Military Personnel

The Resume

    (November 10, 1565-February 25, 1601)
    Born in Netherwood, England, United Kingdom
    Second Earl of Essex
    Royal favorite of Elizabeth I
    Named Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1599)
    Convicted of treason and beheaded

Why he might be annoying:

    During a heated Privy Council debate, Elizabeth reportedly cuffed him about the ear for his insolence.
    He knighted so many of his officers that Irish rebels joked, ‘He never drew a sword but to make a knight.’
    After a disappointing military campaign in Ireland, he returned to London against the Queen’s express orders.
    He was accused of dereliction of duty and deprived of his offices (June 5, 1600).
    He and a group of 300 followers attempted to march on London and seize Buckingham Palace (February 8, 1601).

Why he might not be annoying:

    He distinguished himself in battles in the Netherlands and Spain.
    Although the peace treaty he signed with the Irish rebels was initially considered a humiliation, Elizabeth later said it was ‘seasonably made… as great good has grown by it.’
    His punishment for his Ireland campaign had more to do with jockeying for position among Elizabeth’s advisers than his performance.
    At his execution, three strokes from the axe were needed to complete the beheading.
    He was portrayed by Errol Flynn in ‘The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex’ (1939).

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 12 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 17 Votes: 58.82% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 10 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 21 Votes: 61.90% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 11 Votes: 72.73% Annoying