Chapter 28 Summary

The Irish question is urgent. Tyrone defeats the English army, and news of his victorious rebellions spreads. The queen wants to send the soldier Mountjoy to Ireland. Essex talks her into sending himself instead, since he is younger and has more energy and initiative. All of Essex's financial and army requests are met, but he senses that his enemies in the council will undermine him while he is gone. Although Essex is popular with the people, he bears an injured and hostile manner to queen and council.

Essex disembarks at Dublin on April 15 and completely disregards his instructions to proceed north at full strength and attack Tyrone. He waits for a better time and puts out minor insurrections instead. The queen is bewildered. Essex does not keep the queen informed of what he is doing. Within three months, his army of 16,000 men has...