December 12 – Soldier, author and friend of the Earl of Essex, Sir Roger Williams

On this day in Tudor history, 12th December 1595, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Roger Williams died from a fever with his patron, Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, at his side. The Protestant Welsh soldier and author was buried at St Paul's Cathedral.

As a soldier, Williams served in the Low Countries and France and in 1588 was second in command of the cavalry under the Earl of Essex at Tilbury Fort. William was also an author and wrote works including the 1590 “A Briefe Discourse of Warre”.

At one point, Williams had to go into hiding because he incurred Queen Elizabeth I's wrath.

Find out all about Sir Roger Williams' life, career and works...

“A brief discourse of war” can be read at https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A15466.0001.001?view=toc