Among Essex’s captains is John Norreys, whose great uncle had been a guardian to the young princess Elizabeth, who was well acquainted with the family, and had stayed at Yattendon on her way to imprisonment at Woodstock.

Born born at Yattendon, Berkshire, a second son of Henry Norreys and Marjorie Williams, his paternal grandfather had been executed as the lover of Anne Boleyn, the mother of Elizabeth.

His maternal grandfather was Lord Williams of Thame.

The future Queen was a great friend of Norreys' mother, whom she had nicknamed the Black Crow on account of her jet black hair.

Norreys has inherited his mother's hair color and in consequence is known as Black Jack by his troops.

His father had been posted as ambassador to France, and in 1567 John and his elder brother William had witnessed the Battle of St. Denis.

They had drawn a map of the battle which formed part of their father's report to the Queen.

When his father was recalled in January 1571, Norreys had stayed behind in France and developed a relationship with the new ambassador, Francis Walsingham.

Norreys had served in 1571 as a volunteer under Admiral Coligny on the Protestant side in the civil wars in France.

Norreys now supports his elder brother William, in command of a troop of one hundred cavalry that have been recruited by their father, currently serving as Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire.