Earl of Essex is a title that has been held by several families and individuals, of which the best-known and most closely associated with the title was Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (1566 - 1601). It was first created in the twelfth century for Geoffrey de Mandeville. Upon the death of the third Earl, the title became extinct. It was created again for Geoffrey Fitzpeter, and again became extinct after William Fitzpeter's death.
The third creation was for Humphrey de Bohun, 2nd Earl of Hereford in 1239. Both the Earldom of Hereford and the Earldom of Essex became extinct in 1373. There were several more creations until the famous Devereux creation in 1572. Upon its extinction, the present creation was made in 1661.
The subsidiary titles of the Earl of Essex are: Viscount Malden (created 1661) and Baron Capel (1641). The title Viscount Malden is the courtesy title of the Earl's eldest son and heir.
In 1585 he accompanied his stepfather, the Earl of Leicester, on an expedition to Holland, and greatly distinguished himself at the battle of Zutphen.
In 1599, while Ulster was in rebellion under the earl of Tyrone, the office of lieutenant and governor-general of Ireland was conferred on Essex, and a large force put at his command.
Essex was in person tall and well proportioned, with a countenance which, though not strictly handsome, possessed, on account of its bold, cheerful and amiable expression, a wonderful power of fascination.
In 1585, Essex accompanied his stepfather, Robert Dudley, 1st earl of Leicester, on an expedition to aid the Low Countries in their revolt against Spain.
Essex distinguished himself at the Battle of Zutphen, in The Netherlands, and thereafter began to rise in the favor of Elizabeth.
Later, when Essex tried to incite insurrection in London to compel Elizabeth to remove his enemies from her council, he was imprisoned and condemned to death.
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