Jan, very pretty bloom. There were lots of Earls of Essex, dating back to 1139; when a line became extinct or forfeit, another was created (each new line is described as a 'creation'). The two most famous Earls of Essex were Thomas Cromwell (6th creation), chief minister to Henry VIII (TC was heavily involved in the split of the Church of England from Rome; he later fell out of favour and was executed in 1540); and Robert Devereux (8th creation), who was a favourite of Elizabeth I but who led an unsuccessful rebellion against the Queen and was beheaded in 1601.
All very bloody! And I have no idea after which Earl of Essex the iris is named.
