Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-05
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL OF EARL OF ESSEX.


 Robert Devereux. the Earl of Ess- sex, was q great lavOrite with Queen Elizabeth and she advanced him rapidly until he was made the Earl martial of England and master general of the ordnance. There would have been no limit to his power had he been able to retain the favor of the Good Queen Bess,' but he was impetuous and indiScreet. At the zenith of royal favor he took no care of his actions. At the Council Board he contradicted the Queen, and in return she gave him a mart box on the ear This so am gered him that he arose in extreme wrath; capped his hand upon his sword and sWore that he would not have taken such an affront even from Henry VIII.
 And to show his resentment DeVereuN made a composition with the rebels in Ireland. and quilted his government, without leave for either proceeding. When he returned to London he was arrested and jailed and arrangements were made to try him for treason While in prison he is said to have entrusted to the Count ess of Nottingham 8 ring which he had received from the Queen, when high ill favor with the promise to pardon any offense on it's presentation. Con- trary to her pledge, the Countess re- tained the ring which might have been 'AiG 1A4Cci4IS OL EeJflns5 L1tEIl LiO1Li SAGClI- ton. Upon her deathbed she con- fessed her guilt and Elizabeth is said to have exclaimed: fGod may forgive you, but l never wilt"
 Even when Essex returned from Ire and he had not entirely lost the good graces of the Queen. for she consent ed to receive him at three different times. But Cecil treated him coldly and turned tine Queen against him. A [ his third visit she told him the council would require an explanation of his deseTti0u and he was ordered to keep his chamber.
 Essex was arrested on Oct 1. 1899, and was first confined in York House. He was kept, by the royal order, in complete seclusion, and all expression s of sympathy with him, even among his servants were strongly deprecated by the authorities. When the news that Essex was seriously ill was conveyed to Elizabeth 1t did not lessen her an ger. The publication of pamphlets in his behalf were prohibited.
 But the people were friendly to Es- sex in his trials and on Christmas day prayers were offered in the city churches for his restoration to health as well as to the Queens favor. He gradually recovered and on New Years Day he sent 9 present to the Queen, but she returned it.
 A scheme of bringing Essex to trial in the Star Chamber in February was abandoned, owing partly to a note sent by Essex to the Queen entreatinE her to spare him the indignity. On March 19 he was removed to Essex House and Sir Richard Berkeley was appointed his gaoler.
 On June 5 1600, Essex was broueht before a specially constituted court at York House, consisting Of all the high officers Of state and judges. Three charges were formally - preferred r-g,5 net l7f 7 Munster (2) the dishonorab1e and dangerous treaty: (91 the cont ntenptu- ous leaving of his Government
 The proceedings began at o'clock with 3 short speech by the Queen s sergeant, which wes followed by an intenperste attack by Atty. Gen. Coke. Others who testified against him were Solicitor General Fleming, Sir Fran ois Bacon. and letters were read from Ornonde and tsoTno of Essex's ssso- dates in Ireland to show that EsseS, had made ''odIoug conditions'' In that country.
 Finally night came and the tcstl- mony was all taken and the lord keep CT sentenced him to diafni aHnI from ali offices of state and to remain a pfia- onsr in Esse1s House to await inc QtIaen's pleasure, Not satsRffe.d wilt, the troubles he had already efcour g tered hardly waa he free before ile instituted Il rebellion. believing that the people would follow his head, In this he was disappointed and he wns arrested again in February. 1901. and N ah carried this tifne to the TowoF Or Feb. 10 he was brought before a commission reply issued on May l, 1883, and in Eiftin# ia westfa fsstsf Hail. Many eminent men testified e~ainSt him and Una friai aoaiinued thronBhout the day and resulted ia his being found Fiiity at e'dieek and sentenasd to death. niiEabeth showed greet reluctance to sigR tis death war; FanS. Sile, however, attached her name or Fsb, s4. and eH ti4a a5ta tfs nrisoner was led to the 1igfl court sbova Caesars Tower, YVIthjn inc Tower precincts, ard was behea ded '@nre thsn hundred rer=e=a be'pg present to witness his exeentioni-Ghis SAao NswH