FOLLOWING a report of the death of Robert "Bob" Capell, Earl of Essex, in the Watford Observer on July 22, Mary Forsyth, of Watford, has contributed some extra details about the family line.
She explains that the Capel family was not related to Queen Elizabeth I's favourite, Robert Devereux, and the title was bestowed by King Charles II in 1661 to Arthur Capel, Baron Capel of Hadham, after the Civil War. Arthur Capel was Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire and extensively rebuilt Cassiobury House. His father, who was also Baron Capel, was beheaded by Cromwell in 1649, shortly after the execution of Charles I.
Portraits of the Earls of Essex can be seen in Watford Museum.
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