Mini: Essex's Rebellion: The Plot Against Elizabeth I
In this episode, we dig into one of the most dramatic scandals of Shakespeare's tiem: the rise and catastrophic fall of Robert Devereaux, the Earl of Essex. Court favorite, military hero, and ultimately, traitor, Essex had everything and managed to lose it spectacularly.
We break down who Essex was, his relationship with Elizabeth, and what finally led him to march on London with a small bnad of followers and an extremely bad plan. And of course, we're a Shakespeare podcast, so we touch on the wild connection between Essex's Rebellion and Shakespeare.
Transcript to come.
Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp.
Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander.
For updates:
Follow us on Instagram at @shakespeareanyonepod
Visit our website at shakespeareanyone.com
Support the podcast:
Become a patron at patreon.com/shakespeareanyone
Bookshop.org: Since 2020, Bookshop.org has raised more than $38 million for independent bookstores. Shop our Shakespeare Anyone? storefront to find books featured on the podcast, books by our guests, and other Shakespeare-related books and gifts. Every purchase on the site financially supports independent bookstores.
Libro.fm: Libro.fm makes it possible to purchase audiobooks through your local bookshop of choice. Use our link for 2 free audiobooks when you sign up for a new Libro.fm membership using our link.
Find additional links mentioned in the episode in our Linktree.
Works referenced:
Bate, Jonathan. Soul of the Age: The Life, Mind and World of William Shakespeare. Viking, 2008. pp. 256–286.
BBC Bitesize. “The Rebellion of the Earl of Essex - Queen Elizabeth I and Government - OCR B - GCSE History Revision - OCR B - BBC Bitesize.” BBC News, BBC, 6 Feb. 2025, www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z88fk7h/revision/3.
Hammer, Paul E. J. (2004). "Devereux, Robert, second earl of Essex (1565–1601)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
Mr Keir History Teacher. “ Essex Rebellion - Causes and Consequences #Education #AQA #ElizabethanEngland.” YouTube, 2022, youtu.be/7VPKqvINtz8.
Shanette, Heather. “Essex Rebellion (1601)”. Elizabeth R : The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth I. Published 1998-2026. https://www.elizabethi.org/contents/rebellions/essex/
Teysko, Heather. “Episode 201: Robert Devereaux the Earl of Essex - Renaissance English History Podcast.” Renaissance English History Podcast - The Original Tudor History Podcast, 22 Nov. 2024, www.englandcast.com/2024/11/episode-201-robert-devereaux-the-earl-of-essex/.
