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Unit 2: Francis Bacon-Of Studies: Introduction

for the union of England and Scotland, thus being one of the influences behind the consolidation Notes
of the United Kingdom; and also advocated, later on, for the integration of Ireland into the Union.
Closer constitutional ties, he believed, would bring greater peace and strength to these countries.
Attorney General

Bacon soon became acquainted with Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, Queen Elizabeth’s
favourite. By 1591, he acted as the earl’s confidential adviser. In 1592, he was commissioned to
write a tract in response to the Jesuit Robert Parson’s anti-government polemic, which he titled
Certain observations made upon a libel, identifying England with the ideals of democratic Athens
against the belligerence of Spain.
Bacon took his third parliamentary seat for Middlesex when in February 1593 Elizabeth summoned
Parliament to investigate a Roman Catholic plot against her. Bacon’s opposition to a bill that
would levy triple subsidies in half the usual time offended many people.Opponents accused him
of seeking popularity. For a time, the royal court excluded him. When the Attorney-Generalship
fell vacant in 1594, Lord Essex’s influence was not enough to secure Bacon that office. Likewise,
Bacon failed to secure the lesser office of Solicitor-General in 1595. To console him for these
disappointments, Essex presented him with a property at Twickenham, which he sold subsequently
for £ 1,800.
In 1596, Bacon became Queen’s Counsel, but missed the appointment of Master of the Rolls.
During the next few years, his financial situation remained bad. His friends could find no public
office for him, and a scheme for retrieving his position by a marriage with the wealthy and young
widow Lady Elizabeth Hatton failed after she broke off their relationship upon accepting marriage
to a wealthier man. In 1598 Bacon was arrested for debt. Afterwards however, his standing in the
Queen’s eyes improved. Gradually, Bacon earned the standing of one of the learned counsels,
though he had no commission or warrant and received no salary. His relationship with the Queen
further improved when he severed ties with Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, a shrewd move
because Essex was executed for treason in 1601.
With others, Bacon was appointed to investigate the charges against Essex, his former friend and
benefactor. A number of Essex’s followers confessed that Essex had planned a rebellion against the
Queen. Bacon was subsequently a part of the legal team headed by Attorney General Sir Edward
Coke at Essex’s treason trial. After the execution, the Queen ordered Bacon to write the official

government account of the trial, which was later published as A Declaration of the Practices and
Treasons attempted and committed by Robert late Earle of Essex and his Complices, against her Majestie and
her Kingdoms ... after Bacon’s first draft was heavily edited by the Queen and her ministers.
According to his personal secretary and chaplain, William Rawley, as a judge Bacon was always
tender-hearted, “looking upon the examples with the eye of severity, but upon the person with the eye of
pity and compassion”. And also that “he was free from malice”, “no revenger of injuries”, and “no
defamer of any man”.
James I Comes to the Throne
The succession of James I brought Bacon into greater favour. He was knighted in 1603. In another
shrewd move, Bacon wrote his Apologie in defence of his proceedings in the case of Essex, as Essex
had favoured James to succeed to the throne.
The following year, during the course of the uneventful first parliament session, Bacon married
Alice Barnham. In June 1607 he was at last rewarded with the office of Solicitor-General. The
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following year, he began working as the Clerkship of the Star Chamber. In spite of a generous
income, old debts still couldn’t be paid. He sought further promotion and wealth by supporting
King James and his arbitrary policies.

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