Not Just the Tudors

Earl of Essex: Rise & Fall of Elizabeth I's Favourite

September 28, 2026·42 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

How did a favourite of Elizabeth I go from royal darling to executed traitor?Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Alex Gajda and Dr. Will Tosh to explore the meteoric rise and catastrophic fall of Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, one of the most glamorous yet volatile figures in Elizabethan England. Together they unpack the true motives behind Essex's rebellion and the surprising propaganda role played by William Shakespeare.Watch Prof. Suzannah Lipscomb's new series How The Tudors Lost Their Heads now on Nat Geo and Disney+MOREHenry Wotton: Outlaw and Royal SpyListen on AppleListen on SpotifyRobert Dudley: Elizabeth I's Forbidden LoveListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcastHistory Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™Want even MORE fascinating history? Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week PLUS early access, ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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