Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery

Last updated

The Earl of Orrery
Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery 1571466001 (cropped).jpg
Privy Council of England
In office
26 May 1661 21 April 1679 [lower-alpha 1]

Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery, [lower-alpha 3] 25 April 1621 to 16 October 1679, was an Anglo-Irish soldier and politician. A younger son of the Earl of Cork, the largest landowner in Munster, like many Irish Protestants he supported the Dublin Castle administration during the Irish Confederate Wars, a related conflict of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

Contents

Boyle was noted for his anti-Catholicism, and consistently opposed concessions to Irish Catholics. A skilled politician, he believed maintaining the Protestant Ascendancy in Ireland required support from the ruling government in London, whatever its composition. As a result, he held senior positions under the Commonwealth and Charles II, following the 1660 Stuart Restoration.

A noted writer on 17th-century warfare, Boyle helped design Charles Fort outside Kinsale. He also produced a number of plays and poems, which were well regarded by contemporaries but have since faded into obscurity.

Personal details

Boyle's birthplace, Lismore Castle (restored in 19th century) Lismore Castle (Lismore, Co. Waterford).jpg
Boyle's birthplace, Lismore Castle (restored in 19th century)
Portrait of Lady Margaret Howard Lady Margaret Howard 1574739001 (cropped).jpg
Portrait of Lady Margaret Howard

Roger Boyle was born 25 April 1625, twelfth born and third surviving son of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork (1566–1643), and his second wife, Catherine Fenton Boyle (1588–1630). A few months before his 7th birthday, his father granted him the Broghill estate in County Cork, and he was created Baron of Broghill in the Peerage of Ireland. [1]

His parents had a total of fifteen children, ten of whom survived into adulthood. The most notable included his eldest brother Richard (1612–1698), Katherine (1615–1691), a member of the Hartlib Circle, Mary Rich, Countess of Warwick (1624–1678), and the chemist Robert Boyle (1627–1691). [2]

In January 1641, he married Lady Margaret Howard (1623–1689), a daughter of the Earl of Suffolk. Their joyful wedding was immortalised in verse by Sir John Suckling as A Ballad upon a Wedding. [3] The couple had five daughters and two sons, his heir Roger (1646–1682), and Henry (1648–1693), father of the Earl of Shannon. His eldest daughter, Margaret (1644–1683), married Folliott Wingfield, 1st Viscount Powerscourt.

Career

Boyle entered Trinity College, Dublin in 1630, then moved to London in 1632, where he briefly attended law school at Gray's Inn in March 1636. [4] He and his elder brother Lewis (1619–1642) spent the next three years traveling in Europe, where they studied languages, mathematics and military theory. When the two returned to England in 1639, their father encouraged them to serve Charles I in the Bishops' Wars against the Covenanters. [5]

Rebellion and civil war

Boyle returned to Ireland on the outbreak of the rebellion in 1641 and fought with his brothers against the Irish rebels at the battle of Liscarroll in September 1642. Boyle and in Ireland were left vulnerable by the outbreak of the First English Civil War. Although initially under the command of the Royalist Marquis of Ormonde (later James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde), Lord Broghill consented to serve under the parliamentary commissioners in Cork against the Irish Confederates. Boyle fought with the Parliamentarians until the execution of the king, when he retired altogether from public affairs and took up his residence at Marston in Somerset. [6]

Subsequently, he originated a scheme to bring about the Restoration. On his way abroad to consult with King Charles II, he was unexpectedly visited by Oliver Cromwell in London. Cromwell informed him that his plans were well known to the council and warned against persisting in them. Cromwell offered him a command in Ireland against the rebels that entailed no obligation except faithful service. It was accepted.

Boyle's assistance in Ireland proved invaluable during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. Appointed master of the ordnance, he soon assembled a body of infantry and horse, driving the rebels into Kilkenny, where they surrendered; he induced the Royalist garrison of Cork (English troops with whom he had served earlier in the wars) to defect back to the Parliamentarian side. On 10 May 1650, he completely defeated at Macroom a force of Irish advancing to the relief of Cork. On Cromwell's departure for Scotland, Boyle cooperated with Henry Ireton, whom he joined at the siege of Limerick. In 1651 he defeated an Irish force marching to Limerick's relief under Lord Muskerry at the battle of Knocknaclashy, the final battle of the Irish Confederate Wars, thus effecting the capture of the town.

By this time Broghill had become a fast friend and follower of Cromwell, whose stern measures in Ireland and support of the English and Protestants were welcomed after the policy of concession to the Irish initiated by Charles I. He was returned as member for the county of Cork in 1654 to the First Protectorate Parliament and in 1656 to the Second Protectorate Parliament [6] and also in the latter assembly for Edinburgh, for which he elected to sit. He served this year as Lord President of the Council in Scotland, where he won much popularity. He lodged in Edinburgh at Old Moray House. [7] When he returned to England he was included in the inner cabinet of Cromwell's council, and nominated in 1657 as a member of the new House of Lords. He was one of those most in favour of Cromwell's assumption of the royal title, [8] and proposed a union between the Protector's daughter Frances and Charles II.

Restoration

On Oliver Cromwell's death, Boyle gave his support to Richard Cromwell; but as he saw no possibility of maintaining the government, he left for Ireland, whereby resuming command in Munster he secured the island for Charles, anticipating Monk's overtures by inviting the King to land at Cork. [9] In 1660, he was elected MP for Arundel in the Convention Parliament, although he was busily engaged in Ireland at the time of the election. [6] On 5 September 1660 he was created Earl of Orrery. The same year he was appointed one of the three Lord Justices (Ireland) and drew up the Act of Settlement 1662. In 1661, he was re-elected MP for Arundel in the Cavalier Parliament. [6] He founded the town of Charleville, County Cork, near his estate at Broghill. However, his mansion house in Broghill was burned down by Irish forces before the end of the century.

He continued to exercise his office as lord-president of Munster till 1668, when he resigned it on account of disputes with the duke of Ormonde, the lord-lieutenant. On 25 November, he was impeached by the House of Commons for "raising of money by his own authority upon his majesty's subjects," but the prorogation of parliament by the king interrupted the proceedings, which were not afterwards renewed. In 1673 he was appointed Custos Rotulorum of County Limerick, which position he held until his death. [10]

Boyle's writings

Letter signed by Roger Boyle Roger Boyle signature.jpg
Letter signed by Roger Boyle

In addition to Lord Orrery's achievements as a statesman and administrator, he gained some reputation as a writer and a dramatist. He was the author of:

There are some poems, of little interest, including verses:

Plays in verse, of some literary but less dramatic merit:

A collected edition was published in 1737, to which was added the fourth earl's comedy As you find it. The General is also attributed to him.

Footnotes

  1. Dismissed
  2. Office suppressed
  3. styled Lord Broghill from 1628 to 1660

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork</span> English politician (1566–1643)

Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, also known as the Great Earl of Cork, was an English politician who served as Lord Treasurer of the Kingdom of Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl of Cork</span> Title in the peerage of Ireland

Earl of Cork is a title in the Peerage of Ireland, held in conjunction with the Earldom of Orrery since 1753. It was created in 1620 for Richard Boyle, 1st Baron Boyle. He had already been created Lord Boyle, Baron of Youghal, in the County of Cork, in 1616, and was made Viscount of Dungarvan, in the County of Waterford, at the same time he was given the earldom. These titles are also in the Peerage of Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Burlington</span> English nobleman and politician

Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Burlington, 2nd Earl of Cork was an Anglo-Irish nobleman who served as Lord High Treasurer of Ireland and was a Cavalier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl of Orrery</span> Title in the Peerage of Ireland

Earl of Orrery is a title in the Peerage of Ireland that has been united with the earldom of Cork since 1753. It was created in 1660 for the soldier, statesman and dramatist Roger Boyle, 1st Baron Boyle, third but eldest surviving son of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork. He had already been created Lord Boyle, Baron of Broghill, in the Peerage of Ireland in 1628. He was succeeded by his son, the second Earl. He represented County Cork in the Irish House of Commons and served as Vice-President of Munster. On his death, the titles passed to his eldest son, the third Earl. He represented East Grinstead in the English House of Commons. He was succeeded by his younger brother, the fourth Earl. He was a Lieutenant-General in the Army and a prominent diplomat. In 1711 he was created Baron Boyle of Marston, in the County of Somerset, in the Peerage of Great Britain. His son, the fifth Earl, succeeded his third cousin as fifth Earl of Cork in 1753. See the latter title for further history of the peerages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl of Burlington</span> Earldom in the Peerage of the United Kingdom

Earl of Burlington is a title that has been created twice, the first time in the Peerage of England in 1664 and the second in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1831. Since 1858, Earl of Burlington has been a courtesy title used by the dukes of Devonshire, traditionally borne by the duke's grandson, who is the eldest son of the duke's eldest son, the marquess of Hartington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charleville, County Cork</span> Town in County Cork, Ireland

Charleville is a town in County Cork, Ireland. It lies in the Golden Vale, on a tributary of the River Maigue, near the border with County Limerick. Charleville is on the N20 road and is the second-largest town between Limerick and Cork, the largest being Mallow. The Roman Catholic parish of Charleville is within the Diocese of Cloyne. Significant industries in the town include Kerry Co-op and the construction and services sectors.

The battle of Knocknaclashy, took place in County Cork in southern Ireland in 1651. In it, an Irish Confederate force led by Viscount Muskerry was defeated by an English Parliamentarian force under Lord Broghill. It was the final pitched battle of the Irish Confederate Wars and one of the last of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Liscarroll</span> 17th-century Irish battle

The Battle of Liscarroll was fought on 3 September 1642 in northern County Cork, Munster, between Irish Confederate and Royalist troops. The battle was part of the Irish Confederate Wars, which had started in the north in 1641 reaching Munster in 1642. The Confederates, about 8,500 strong, were led by Garret Barry, an Irish veteran from the Spanish Army of Flanders. The Royalist forces, about 2,400 strong, were commanded by Murrough O'Brien, 6th Baron of Inchiquin, an Irish Protestant. Despite his numerical disadvantage Inchiquin routed his enemies by the strength of his cavalry and the firepower of his musketeers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Jones (soldier)</span> Irish soldier of the Irish Confederate War and English Civil War

Michael Jones was an Irish-born Protestant soldier of Welsh descent who fought in the War of the Three Kingdoms, primarily in Ireland. Third son of Lewis Jones, Bishop of Killaloe, his brothers Henry and Ambrose were also bishops in the Church of Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donough MacCarty, 1st Earl of Clancarty</span> Irish soldier and politician (1594–1665)

Sir Donough MacCarty, 1st Earl of Clancarty (1594–1665), was an Irish soldier and politician. He succeeded his father as 2nd Viscount Muskerry in 1641. He rebelled against the government and joined the Irish Catholic Confederation, demanding religious freedom as a Catholic and defending the rights of the Gaelic nobility. Later, he supported the King against his Parliamentarian enemies during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland.

Richard Townesend was a soldier and politician in England. He was born in 1618 or 1619. Much research has been undertaken by various members of the Townsend family to trace Richard's origins but nothing is known about him before 1643 when he was appointed to command a company, as a captain, in Colonel Ceely's Regiment, which had been raised to garrison Lyme Regis. Richard was engaged in several skirmishes, most notably on 3 March 1643 when he surprised and routed 150 Royalist cavalry at Bridport. Later, he was present during the defence of Lyme Regis 20 April – 13 June 1644 where he distinguished himself and was promoted to Major. In 1645 he assumed command of Colonel Ceely's Regt when Colonel Ceely was returned to Parliament as Member of Parliament (MP) for Bridport.

The post of Lord President of Munster was the most important office in the English government of the Irish province of Munster from its introduction in the Elizabethan era for a century, to 1672, a period including the Desmond Rebellions in Munster, the Nine Years' War, and the Irish Rebellion of 1641. The Lord President was subject to the Lord Deputy of Ireland, but had full authority within the province, extending to civil, criminal, and church legal matters, the imposition of martial law, official appointments, and command of military forces. Some appointments to military governor of Munster were not accompanied by the status of President. The width of his powers led to frequent clashes with the longer established courts, and in 1622 the President, Donogh O'Brien, 4th Earl of Thomond, was warned sharply not to "intermeddle" with cases which were properly the business of those courts. He was assisted by a Council whose members included the Chief Justice of Munster, another justice and the Attorney General for the Province. By 1620 his council was permanently based in Limerick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin</span> Irish soldier and lord (1614–1673)

Murrough MacDermod O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin, was an Irish nobleman and soldier, who came from one of the most powerful families in Munster. Known as Murchadh na dTóiteán, he initially trained for war in the Spanish service. He accompanied the Earl of Strafford into Leinster on the outbreak of the Irish Rebellion of 1641 and was appointed governor of Munster in 1642. He had some small success, but was hampered by lack of funds and he was outwitted by the Irish leader, Viscount Muskerry, at Cappoquin and Lismore. His forces dispersed at the truce of 1643.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Boyle (archbishop of Armagh)</span> Irish priest (c. 1609–1702)

Michael Boyle, the younger was a Church of Ireland bishop who served as Archbishop of Dublin from 1663 to 1679 and Archbishop of Armagh from 1679 to his death. He also served as Lord Chancellor of Ireland, the last time a bishop was appointed to that office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Restoration (Ireland)</span>

The Restoration of the Monarchy of Ireland began in 1660. The Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland (1649–1660) resulted from the Wars of the Three Kingdoms but collapsed in 1659. Politicians such as General Monck tried to ensure a peaceful transition of government from the "Commonwealth" republic back to monarchy. From 1 May 1660 the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under King Charles II. The term Restoration may apply both to the actual event by which the monarchy was restored, and to the period immediately before and after the event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Boyle, 2nd Earl of Orrery</span> Irish peer and Member of Parliament

Roger Boyle, 2nd Earl of Orrery, styled Lord Broghill between 1660 and 1679, was an Irish peer and Member of Parliament.

Arthur Jones, 2nd Viscount Ranelagh was an Irish peer and politician who sat in both the Irish House of Commons and the English House of Commons.

Richard Power, 1st Earl of Tyrone (1630–1690) was an Irish Jacobite nobleman.

William Halsey was a politician, soldier and judge in seventeenth-century Ireland. He was Mayor of Waterford, a member of each of the three Protectorate Parliaments, and the last Chief Justice of Munster.

References

  1. Wilson 1808, p. 149.
  2. Barnard 2008.
  3. Endicott, N. J. "A Ballad Upon A Wedding". Representative Poetry Online. University of Toronto.
  4. Barnard 2004.
  5. Manning 2003, p. 112.
  6. 1 2 3 4 History of Parliament Online – Boyle, Roger, 1st Baron Broghill.
  7. John Gough Nichols, Autobiography of the Lady Halkett (London, 1875), pp. 105-7.
  8. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography volume 7 (2002) p 110-111
  9. T. W. Moody, F. X. Martin, F. J. Byrne A New History of Ireland, Volume III: Early Modern Ireland 1534–1691 Oxford University Press (1976) p. 420.
  10. Fitgerald, Patrick. The history, topography and antiquities of the county and city of Limerick. p. 306.

Sources

Parliament of England
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Arundel
with The Viscount Falkland 1660
Sir John Trevor 1660–1661
The Lord Aungier of Longford 1661–1679

16601679
Succeeded by
Peerage of Ireland
New title Earl of Orrery
1660–1679
Succeeded by
Baron Boyle of Broghill
1627–1679