Robert Devereaux

Robert Devereaux, 3rd Earl of Essex (1591-1646), Captain-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Parliamentary army, oval gilt-silver Military Reward badge, 1642, by Thomas Rawlins, half length armoured bust three-quarters left, wide lace collar, holding sword, SX above head, legend in script in two lines, "Should hear both houses of parliament for true religion and subjects freedom stand - Pro Religione lege Rege et Parliamento", rev., the two Houses of Parliament with King and Speaker, wreath border around to both sides, 55.5 x 38mm (MI 295/113; Eim. 140A; Platt II, pp. 79-80), integral suspension loop and ring. Extremely fine and rare.

Devereaux was the eldest son of Elizabeth I's favourite who had been executed in 1602. He had been a successful commander of forces in the Netherlands and his Parliamentary appointments came with the commencement of the Civil War.

Provenance: Bt. Caroline Penman, September, 1998.