Sir Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, 1st Viscount Dungarvan, 1st Baron Boyle of Youghal, Lord High Treasurer of the Kingdom of Ireland.(October 13, 1566 - September 15, 1643) (Portrait and another, earlier portrait at the National Portrait Gallery, London, England), also known as the Great Earl of Cork. Dungarvan (Dún Garbháin in Irish) is a town and harbour on the south coast of Ireland in the province of Munster. ... Youghal (pronounced or ; Irish Eochaill ) is a seaport in County Cork, Ireland. ... October 13 is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years). ... Events January 7 - Pius V becomes Pope Selim II succeeds Suleiman I as Sultan of the Ottoman Empire Religious rioting in the Netherlands signifies the beginning of the Eighty Years War in the Netherlands. ... September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... // Events January 21 - Abel Tasman discovers Tonga February 6 - Abel Tasman discovers the Fiji islands. ... The National Portrait Gallery is an art gallery in central London which was opened in 1856. ... This article is about the British city. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location (dark green) within the British Isles Languages None official English de facto Capital None official London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001...

Historical context

He competes with great political theorist Thomas Hobbes as being somebody banished from many history books for political reasons. Whereas Hobbes has been at least partially rehabilitated, Boyle's history is consigned mostly to out-of-print books which either glorify him or vilify him, rather than offering an objective appreciation of him as a historical phenomenon. Hobbes redirects here. ...

There is no question that Boyle was one of the most important and controversial figures in Anglo-Irish history, and his descendants put his legacy firmly in the category of a significant player on the world stage, albeit that perhaps his strongest influences made their mark in later life and after his death, through unrecorded and perhaps permanently lost influences on family, friends and enemies, all of which were very numerous. The term Anglo-Irish means English-Irish. ...

His was an extraordinary rags-to-riches story, the poor lad from Canterbury in Kent, England, going to Ireland at 22 with next to nothing and becoming one of the richest people on the planet, through means which some have described as sharp wits, others as deception and ruthlessness, others as ridiculous good fortune, and still others as sheer dogged determination and patience. St Peters St, Canterbury, from the West Gate, 1993 Canterbury (Latin: Duroverum) is a cathedral city in the county of Kent in southeast England. ... Kent is a county in England, south-east of London. ...

To say that Boyle was a devotee of the strategic use of marriage as a route to wealth, power and immortality, is probably an understatement, as this genealogy (it is a PDF file), showing his posthumous "achievement" (as one who aimed at "rising to power by successfullly permeating the aristocratic hierarchy" would inevitably see it) of having at least three of his descendants appearing in the direct line of ancestry to the current British Queen, makes abundantly clear.

Boyle is also an important figure in the English colonisation of Ireland in the 16th and 17th centuries, as he acquired large tacts of land in plantations in Munster in southern Ireland at the expense of native landowners. Moreover, his sons played an important role in fighting against Irish rebellion in the 1640s and '50s, ensuring the victory of the British and Protestant interest in Ireland. Plantations in 16th and 17th century Ireland were the seizure of land owned by the native Irish and granting of it to colonists (planters) from Britain. ... Munster (Irish: An Mhumhain, IPA: ) is the southernmost province of Ireland, comprising the counties of Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford. ...

Historical basis of resentment towards Boyle

If one wishes to understand the forces which have mostly "airbrushed" (or more accurately,"failed to paint a comprehensive or comprehensible picture" of) the Earl from the cannon of historical literature, one needs to recognise a number of understandable causes of resentment towards him.

His utterly shameless pursuit and acquisition of wealth, power, social elevation and titles for himself and his children was a practice which, whilst by no means foreign to the aristocracy of the time, was most abhorred by rich and poor alike when it was conducted with success by an upstart, someone without the historical bloodline which was seen at the time as the legitimate basis for power.

Oliver Cromwell was another relevant contemporary example of how the power of historically descended aristocracy was beginning to change (i.e., lose its exclusive grip on power, although in different ways, Cromwell was a general and Boyle was a 'colonising entrepreneur') in Boyle's lifetime, although Cromwell's elevation to the very top of the political hierarchy ensured that literature was 'kinder' to Cromwell than it was to Boyle, at least in terms of "depth of coverage". Unfinished portrait miniature of Oliver Cromwell by Samuel Cooper, 1657. ...

The fact that Boyle was to many an extremely unwelcome outsider in the territory that he sought to aggressively control, was itself further local reinforcement for such resentments, which have survived to the present day.

It would not be unrealistic to view Boyle being characterised historically as an "unspeakably notorious rogue", mostly on account of his financial success and the succession of "suspiciously good outcomes" which seem to accompany all but the very last of the challenges presented by his many adversaries.

Nonetheless, in the context of the cirumstances in which he found himself, his opportunistic successes do draw admiration in some quarters.

Background

Boyle was born the second son of Roger Boyle of Faversham in Kent, a descendant of an ancient Herefordshire family, and of Joan, daughter of John Naylor of Canterbury. He went to The King's School, Canterbury, at the same time as Christopher Marlowe. Faversham is a town in Kent, England, in the district of Swale, roughly halfway between Sittingbourne and Canterbury. ... Herefordshire is a traditional and ceremonial county and unitary district in the West Midlands region of England in the United Kingdom. ... The Kings School (founded 597) is a British Independent School (sometimes called Public School) located in Canterbury in the county of Kent. ... An anonymous portrait, often believed to show Christopher Marlowe. ...

University education began at Bennet (Corpus Christi) College, Cambridge, England, in 1583. After this he studied law at the Middle Temple in London and became a clerk to Sir Richard Manwood, who was then the chief baron of the exchequer. Full name The College of Corpus Christi and the Blessed Virgin Mary in Cambridge Motto There is a toast, Floreat antiqua domus (May the old house flourish), from which the colleges nickname, Old House, is derived Named after The citys Guilds of Corpus Christi and the Blessed Virgin... 1583 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ... Part of Middle Temple c. ... The Exchequer was that part of the government responsible for the management and collection of the royal revenues of the King of England. ...

Before completing his studies, Boyle decided to make a new start in Ireland. He arrived in Dublin on June 23, 1588, with just over £27 as well as a gold bracelet worth £10, and a diamond ring, besides some fine clothing. WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 53. ... June 23 is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 191 days remaining. ... 1588 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. ...

In 1590 he obtained the appointment of deputy escheator to John Crofton, the escheator-general. In 1595 he married Joan Apsley, the daughter and co-heiress of William Apsley of Limerick. Joan died in 1599 during childbirth. This marriage brought Boyle an estate of £500 a year, which he continued to receive until at least 1632. Events March 14 - Battle of Ivry - Henry IV of France again defeats the forces of the Catholic League under the Duc de Mayenne. ... Escheat is an obstruction of the course of descent and the consequent reversion of property to the original grantor. ... Events January 30 - William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet is performed for the first time. ... There are several women called Joan Boyle in the family of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, including his mother, first wife and fourth daughter. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 52. ... Events The Jesuit educational plan known as the Ratio Studiorum is issued (January 8). ... See also: 1632 (novel) Events February 22 - Galileos Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems is published July 23 - 300 colonists for New France depart Dieppe November 8 - Wladyslaw IV Waza elected king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth after Zygmunt III Waza death November 16 - Battle of Lützen...

Unlike many of his other close relatives whom he took great care to commemorate, he took no trouble to have Joan commemorated after her death, leading to the conviction among some that his (in every sense) monumental commemorative endeavours were entirely practical (in terms of securing his personal objectives) rather than sentimental (her connections being of no direct use to him after her passing).

Political career

Boyle by this time had been the object of the attacks of Sir Henry Wallop and several others. These attacks were incited, according to Boyle, by envy of his success and increasing prosperity. Sir Henry Wallop (c. ...

Boyle was arrested on charges of fraud and collusion with the Spanish (essentially accusations of covert papist infiltration, a treasonable offence for an official in Queen Elizabeth I's protestant civil service) in his office. He was thrown into prison (at least once by Sir William FitzWilliam in about 1592) several times during this episode. He was about to leave for England to justify himself to Queen Elizabeth, when there was a rebellion in Munster in October 1598, which once again returned him to poverty. The Nine Years War arrived in Munster with Irish rebels from Ulster, who were joined by locals who had lost land to English settlers. Boyle was forced to flee to Cork city for safety. Events January 30 - The death of Pope Innocent IX during the previous year had left the Papal throne vacant. ... Elizabeth I, (7 September 1533 – 24 March 1603) was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. ... Munster (Irish: An Mhumhain, IPA: ) is the southernmost province of Ireland, comprising the counties of Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford. ... Events January 7 - Boris Godunov seizes the throne of Russia following the death of his brother-in-law, Tsar Feodor I. April 13 - Edict of Nantes - Henry IV of France grants French Huguenots equal rights with Catholics. ... The Nine Years War in Ireland took place from 1594 to 1603 and is also known as Tyrones Rebellion. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 51. ...

This turn of events left him obliged to return to London and his chambers at The Temple. At this point he was almost immediately taken into the service of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex. Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (10 November 1566 - 25 February 1601), favourite of Queen Elizabeth I of England, is the best-known of the many holders of the title Earl of Essex. He was born at Netherwood in 1566, the son of Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex and...

Henry Wallop then renewed his prosecution of Boyle. Boyle was summoned to appear at the Court of Star Chamber. In the proceedings, Boyle's adversaries seem to have failed to substantiate their accusations. Boyle had somehow managed to secure the attendance of Queen Elizabeth I herself at the proceedings, and he successfully exposed some misconduct on the part of his adversaries. This article is about the historical court of law. ... Elizabeth I Queen of England and Ireland Queen of France, nominal title Elizabeth I (September 7, 1533–March 24, 1603) was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from November 17, 1558 until her death. ...

Elizabeth famously said: "By God's death, these are but inventions against the young man" and she also said he was "a man fit to be employed by ourselves".

He was immediately appointed clerk of the council of Munster by Elizabeth I in 1600. In December 1601, Boyle brought to Elizabeth the news of the victory near Kinsale. 1597 1598 1599 - 1600 - 1601 1602 1603 |- | align=center colspan=2 | Decades: 1570s 1580s 1590s - 1600s - 1610s 1620s 1630s |- | align=center | Centuries: 15th century - 16th century - 17th century |} // Events January January 1 - Scotland adopts January 1st as being New Years Day February February 17 - Giordano Bruno burned at the... Market Street in Kinsale, one of the towns oldest thoroughfares Kinsale (Cionn tSáile in Irish) is a town in County Cork, Ireland. ...

In October 1602, Boyle was again sent over by Sir George Carew, the president of Munster, on Irish affairs. He was knighted at St Mary's Abbey, near Dublin, by Carew on July 25, 1603. It was also on this day that he married his second wife, Catherine Fenton, daughter of Geoffrey Fenton. This page is about the year. ... Mary Rose depicted on the Anthony Roll, a survey of Henry VIIIs navy, completed in 1546 Mary Rose was an English carrack of 78 guns (91 guns after 1536), built in Portsmouth, England, in 1509–1510, thought to be named after King Henry VIIIs sister Mary and the... July 25 is the 206th day (207th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 159 days remaining. ... King James I of England/VII of Scotland, the first monarch to rule the Kingdoms of England and Scotland at the same time Events March - Samuel de Champlain, French explorer, sails to Canada March 24 - Elizabeth I of England dies and is succeeded by her cousin King James I of... Sir Geoffrey Fenton (c. ...

Acquisition of rank, property and titles

He became a privy councillor for Munster in 1606. In 1613 became a privy councillor for the whole of Ireland.

It is claimed that Boyle obtained his Earldom with £4,000 (does anyone have any details about how this arrangement was supposed to have been transacted?) He built towns such as Bandon, in which he founded iron-smelting and linen-weaving industries and brought in English settlers, many from Bristol. The town of Bandon (Irish: Droichead na Bandan) in County Cork is located 27 km southwest of Ireland, on the N71 road. ... Bristol (IPA: brÄ­stÉ™l) is a city, unitary authority and ceremonial county in South West England. ...

He was returned as a Member of Parliament for Lismore (at a Parliament held in the Castle of Dublin) on May 18, 1614. Lismore (Lios Mór in Irish, meaning Great Enclosure) is a town in County Waterford, Ireland. ... May 18 the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (139th in leap years). ... Events April 5 - In Virginia, Native American Pocahontas marries English colonist John Rolfe. ...

He ascended to the peerage as Lord Boyle, Baron of Youghal on the September the 6th 1616.

He was created Earl of Cork and Viscount Dungarvan on the 26th of October 1620. County Cork (Contae Chorcaí in Irish) is the most southwesterly and the largest of the modern counties of Ireland. ...

On the 26th of October 1629 he was appointed as a Lord Justice, and on the 9th of November 1631 he became the Lord High Treasurer of Ireland.

Although he was not a peer in the English Parliament, it is nonetheless recorded that he was notwithstanding “by writ called into the Upper House by His Majesty’s great grace,” and he then took up the honoured position of an “assistant sitting on the inside of the Woolsack.”

The town of Clonakilty [1] was formally founded in 1613 by Richard Boyle when he received a charter from King James I. Old Linen Hall Clonakilty (Irish: Cloich na Coillte / Clanna Chaoilte) is a small town in West Cork, Ireland, about 45 minutes drive to the west of Cork City. ... James VI of Scotland and James I of England and Ireland (Charles James) (June 19, 1566–March 27, 1625) was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland. ...

Oliver Cromwell is reported to have said of Richard Boyle 'If there had been an Earl of Cork in every province it would have been impossible for the Irish to have raised a rebellion.' Unfinished portrait miniature of Oliver Cromwell by Samuel Cooper, 1657. ...

Boyle bought Sir Walter Raleigh's estates of 42,000 acres (170 km²) for £1,500 (a tiny price, even then) in the counties of Cork (including Lismore Castle), Waterford, and Tipperary and Youghal in 1602. He made these purchases on the insistence of Sir George Carew. Order on the Boyle estates was maintained by 13 castles which were garrisoned by retainers. Walter Raleigh, by Nicholas Hilliard, c. ... Lismore Castle is a castle in County Waterford in the Republic of Ireland. ... County Waterford (Port Láirge in Irish) is a county in the province of Munster on the south coast of Ireland. ... County Tipperary (Tiobraid Árann in Irish) is a traditional county in the Republic of Ireland, in the province of Munster. ... Youghal (pronounced or ; Irish Eochaill ) is a seaport in County Cork, Ireland. ...

It is a mistake to see Boyle's 'empire' as merely being exclusively confined to the development of the 'Raleigh estates': for instance, his acquisition of the entirety of the city of Bandon was not completed until 1625.

Richard Boyle had a substantial residence at Youghal, known today as "The College", close to St. Mary's Collegiate Church. Boyle occupied the office of Sheriff from 1625 to 1626. Events March 27 - Prince Charles Stuart becomes King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... Events September 30 - Nurhaci, chieftain of the Jurchens and founder of the Qing Dynasty dies and is succeeded by his son Hong Taiji. ...

Boyle's adversaries

The Great Earl's most famous enemy was Thomas Wentworth (who later became the 1st Earl of Strafford). Strafford arrived in Ireland in 1633 as Lord Deputy, and at first successfully deprived Boyle of much of his privilege and income. Boyle patiently husbanded forces in opposition to Strafford’s Irish program and this successful political manoeuvering by Boyle was an important factor in Strafford’s demise. Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford (April 13, 1593 - May 12, 1641) was an English statesman, a major figure in the period leading up to the English Civil War. ... Events February 13 - Galileo Galilei arrives in Rome for his trial before the Inquisition. ...

An illuminating example of the humiliations to which Wentworth subjected Boyle, was the instance where he forced Boyle to remove his wife’s tomb from the choir in St Patrick’s at Dublin.

Archbishop William Laud delighted in Wentworth's attacks on Boyle and wrote: "No physic better than a vomit if it be given in time, and therefore you have taken a very judicious course to administer one so early to my Lord of Cork. I hope it will do him good“. William Laud (October 7, 1573 – January 10, 1645) was Archbishop of Canterbury and a fervent supporter of Charles I of England whom he encouraged to believe in the Divine Right of Kings. ...

Laud and Wentworth shared, with King Charles I, the same fate as many others who at some time in his life, found reasons to conspire against Boyle: an early demise, with Boyle showing his customary astuteness by putting on a convincing show of politically appropriate response at every crucial juncture.

Boyle made an entry concerning Wentworth in his diary: “A most cursed man to all Ireland and to me in particular.” It seems Boyle was someone whom you betrayed at your peril, no matter how safe your position might have seemed to be.

At Wentworth's trial, Boyle was a key witness, but he did not take any other direct part in the prosecution itself. Unsurprisingly, he was in full support of the condemnation of Wentworth and wholeheartedly approved of his execution.

Boyle died in 1643, having been chased off his lands in the Irish Rebellion of 1641. His sons however recovered the family estates after the suppression of the rebellion. The Irish Rebellion of 1641 began as an attempted coup détat by Irish Catholic gentry, but rapidly degenerated into bloody intercommunal violence between native Irish Catholics and English and Scottish Protestant settlers. ...

Boyle's "philosophical" legacy

Boyle has been described as the "first colonial millionaire".

The Boyle motto is: 'God's Providence is my inheritance'.

Boyle's theopolitical philosophy has been described as 'providentialist' when contrasted with its counterpart which prevailed to the north in Ulster at the time, which, is more typically characterised as Presbyterian. Presbyterianism is part of the Reformed churches family of denominations of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin which traces its institutional roots to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. ...

Notice how such a comparison of these two standpoints is neither exclusively religious nor secular, a factor which perhaps offers some small insight as to how Boyle managed to achieve what seems to us now the extraordinary feat of gaining strong favour at various times with the leaders on either side of the English Civil war.

The children of the First Earl

1. Roger Boyle August 1, 1606 in Youghal, county Cork, Ireland and died on October 10, 1615 in Deptford, Kent, England, where he was buried.
2. Lady Alice Boyle 1607–1667 Married David Barry, 1st Earl of Barrymore, then after his death, married John Barry, of Liscarroll, co Cork, Ireland
3. Lady Sarah Boyle 1609-1633 Married Sir Thomas Moore, then after his death married Robert, 1st Baron Digby of Geashill, Ireland
4. Lady Lettice Boyle 1610-1657 Married Colonel George Goring, Lord Goring
5. Lady Joan Boyle 1611-1657 Married George "The Fairy Earl" FitzGerald, 16th Earl of Kildare
6. Sir Richard "the Rich" Boyle (1612-1698) 2nd Earl of Cork, 1st Earl of Burlington, Lord high treasurer of the kingdom of Ireland, Viscount Boyle of Kinalmeaky, Baron of Bandon Bridge, 1st Baron Clifford of Lanesborough in the county of York
7. Lady Catherine Boyle
8. Geffrey Boyle
9. Lady Dorothy Boyle
10. Sir Lewis "the Valiant" Boyle
11. Sir Roger "the Wise" Boyle 1st Earl of Orrery
12. Francis "the Wise" Boyle
13. Lady Mary Boyle
14. Robert Boyle, 'The Father of Chemistry', also known as 'The Philosopher'
15. Lady Margaret Boyle

Boyle erected an elaborate monument to himself, his wives, his mother and children in St Mary's Church, Youghal, County Cork and there is a similar but much larger Boyle monument in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. August 1 is the 213th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (214th in leap years), with 152 days remaining. ... Events January 27 - The trial of Guy Fawkes and other conspirators begins ending in their execution on January 31 May 17 - Supporters of Vasili Shusky invade the Kremlin and kill Premier Dmitri December 26 - Shakespeares King Lear performed in court Storm buries a village of St Ismails near... Youghal (pronounced or ; Irish Eochaill ) is a seaport in County Cork, Ireland. ... County Cork (Contae Chorcaí in Irish) is the most southwesterly and the largest of the modern counties of Ireland. ... October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in Leap years). ... Events June 2 - First Récollet missionaries arrive at Quebec City, from Rouen, France. ... Deptford is an area of the London Borough of Lewisham, on the south bank of the River Thames in south-east London. ... Kent is a county in England, south-east of London. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location (dark green) within the British Isles Languages None official English de facto Capital None official London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001... The Lady Alice Boyle, later Alice Barry, Countess of Barrymore, later The Lady Alice Barry (March 20, 1607- June 23, 1667) was the eldest daughter and second child of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork and his second wife Catherine Fenton. ... Lady Sarah Boyle (March 29, 1609 - July 14, 1633) was the second eldest daughter and third child of Richard Boyle, the First Earl of Cork and his second wife Catherine Fenton. ... Lady Lettice Boyle (23 April 1610-July 1657) was the third daughter and fourth child of Richard Boyle, the First Earl of Cork and his second wife Catherine Fenton. ... George Goring, Lord Goring (14 July 1608 - 1657) was an English Royalist soldier. ... There are several women called Joan Boyle in the family of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, including his mother, first wife and fourth daughter. ... Sir Richard The Rich Boyle, 2nd Earl of Cork (20th October 1612 - 13 Jan 1697-8) See Earls of Cork Full title: 2nd Earl of Cork, 1st Earl of Burlington, Lord high treasurer of the kingdom of Ireland, Viscount Boyle of Kinalmeaky, Baron of Bandon Bridge, 1st Baron Clifford of... Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery (April 25, 1621 - October 26, 1679), British soldier, statesman and dramatist, 3rd surviving son of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, was created baron of Broghill on February 28, 1627. ... Robert Boyle The Honourable Robert Boyle (January 25, 1627 - December 30, 1692) was an Irish natural philosopher, noted for his work in physics and chemistry. ... County Cork (Contae Chorcaí in Irish) is the most southwesterly and the largest of the modern counties of Ireland. ...

The title Earl of Cork was created in 1620. ... Sir Richard The Rich Boyle, (1612 - 1698) was the second son and sixth child of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork and the Great Earls second wife, Catherine Fenton. ...

Bibliography of The First Earl of Cork

• Nicholas P. Canny, The Upstart Earl.
• D. Townshend, The Life and Letters of the Great Earl of Cork (1904).
• George Bennett 'The History of Bandon'
• Harris, A.L., 'The Funerary Monuments of Richard Boyle, Earl of Cork', Church Mons. 13 (1998), 70-86

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