English earldom (5)
I believe the answer is:
essex
'english earldom' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for essex that I've seen before include "Southeastern English county" , "County cricket team" , "R. Devereux, Earl of -" , "County east of London" , "Queen's favourite" .)