Alexander Plunket
Encyclopedia
Alexander Plunket was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland
by King Henry VII of England
in 1492. Lord Portlester was Lord Chancellor and Lord Treasurer of Ireland before Plunket. The offices were split between Alexander Plunket and Sir James Ormond, who became Lord Treasurer of Ireland. Ireland
was in great conflict at this time, as Henry VII tried to get the Irish to pledge loyalty to him, instead of their own Kings and Princes. O'Flanagan states that it is impossible to judge his career as Chancellor since no record of his judgments exist.
He was born in County Meath
, son of Sir Thomas Plunket, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in Ireland;he was a close relative of another Sir Thomas Plunket who became Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer. Through his three marriages he had close connections to both the Earl of Kildare and the Earl of Ormonde; his political loyalties were with the Kildare faction though he later quarreled with them.He was a companion of the Order of Saint George, and served as Sheriff of Meath in 1482. So long as the House of York reigned he appears to have been a loyal enough Yorkist;he was at Court in 1479 and in 1484 received a letter from Richard III
thanking him for his services.Henry VII, however trusted him enough to make him Chancellor; this was apparently an effort to curb the power of the Fitzgeralds, with whom Plunket had quarreled.He left office in 1494 and died in 1503.
Lord Chancellor of Ireland
The office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland was the highest judicial office in Ireland until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. From 1721 to 1801 it was also the highest political office of the Irish Parliament.-13th century:...
by King Henry VII of England
Henry VII of England
Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor....
in 1492. Lord Portlester was Lord Chancellor and Lord Treasurer of Ireland before Plunket. The offices were split between Alexander Plunket and Sir James Ormond, who became Lord Treasurer of Ireland. Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
was in great conflict at this time, as Henry VII tried to get the Irish to pledge loyalty to him, instead of their own Kings and Princes. O'Flanagan states that it is impossible to judge his career as Chancellor since no record of his judgments exist.
He was born in County Meath
Meath
Meath may refer to:*County Meath, Republic of Ireland**Kingdom of Mide, medieval precursor of the county**Meath , in UK and Irish parliaments**Meath GAA, including the intercounty football and hurling teams**Diocese of Meath...
, son of Sir Thomas Plunket, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in Ireland;he was a close relative of another Sir Thomas Plunket who became Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer. Through his three marriages he had close connections to both the Earl of Kildare and the Earl of Ormonde; his political loyalties were with the Kildare faction though he later quarreled with them.He was a companion of the Order of Saint George, and served as Sheriff of Meath in 1482. So long as the House of York reigned he appears to have been a loyal enough Yorkist;he was at Court in 1479 and in 1484 received a letter from Richard III
Richard III of England
Richard III was King of England for two years, from 1483 until his death in 1485 during the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty...
thanking him for his services.Henry VII, however trusted him enough to make him Chancellor; this was apparently an effort to curb the power of the Fitzgeralds, with whom Plunket had quarreled.He left office in 1494 and died in 1503.